CANEDOGS, Mark,

If you are going to spend any money, my recommendation is to get the Sawyer Mini. I have all sorts of filters and other water treatment systems. The new technology of the Sawyer has made them less used. My primary systems are now the mini (where virus is not a problem) and the .02 Purifier for camp use and where virus is a problem. I have a decades old Katadyn that still works well, does the same thing as the mini, but it weighs many times what the Sawyer does. It also is harder to clean and wears the ceramic filter each time you clean it. My steri pen is great, but is heavier and uses batteries. Etc.

Freezing any filter destroy's it. The Sawyer is not alone in this problem. In fact, it might be easier to clear the water out of the Sawyer (use the syringe).

Deathwind, there is no reason the Sawyer cannot remain viable for 100's of thousands of gallons. Unlike ceramic filters that loose media with every cleaning, the hollow filters of the Sawyer do not wear and the ability to apply high pressure should clean out most if not all of the contaminents.

No association with Sawyer other than as a buyer, just a frequent user of water purification.

Sincerely,

Jerry