Hi folks,
The Pharaoh is back with yet another piece of equipment many people may dismiss out of hand without researching first.
First of all, I'm the backups for backups (complete with indefinite {shelf} life) type of person while at the same time trying keep pack weight to a minimum.
Other than toting a Millbanks Bag (sediment filtration; mud/algea/debris) and Polar Pure (iodine desinfection) and of course my infamous Kelly kettle (purification thru boiling with wood for fuel; see previous post) I have the MiOx purifier made by MSR. So there's nothing preventing me from having safe, potable water, anytime anywhere, no holds barred.
However, here's what I'm getting at. Iodine purified water is fine , but tastes like sh*t. The purified water from the MiOx ain't much better, tastewise . Besides taste, there is a certain health risk involved in the long run. And on top of that, you don't know what's dissolved in your water source in the first place anyhow (heavy metals; toxins; free chlorine; herbicides or pesticides).
I use the Survival Straw in conjunction with either the Polar Pure (Iodine) or the MiOx (free chlorine) to remove the byproducts (- and TASTES!!) produced after the chemicals have done their job. Also, in a pinch it could safely be used solo !
This thing actually REMOVES chlorine/ iodine/ heavy metals/ toxins (i.e. arsenic) pesticides and herbicides from water as well as your typical waterborne critter making you do the Aztec two step.
The stuff that works this magic is called KDF alloy, which is actually a very high purity form of brass (50% copper/ 50% zinc alloy).
Before formulating your opinion in advance, please study how and why it works. You also should realise this is what your municipal water plant is using, as well as your local hospital. So read on...
The reason this product gets a bad wrap in our survival world is because it sounds to good to be true !
And most will simply say: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is too good to be true, so I'll just stay away from that.
Please, study the web pages included and then get back to me with your thoughts. Even it it was for bad taste elimination only, it would still have its merits.
Please see:
http://www.kdfft.com/HowItWorks.htm
and
http://www.triangularwave.com/f4.htm#Wil...%20the%20water?
and
http://www.lenntech.com/KDF-filter-media.htm

If you become interested, Brigade Quartermasters sells them.

Best regards,
Pharaoh.