Gear Review: SteriPEN Adventurer Handheld Water Purifier

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The SteriPEN Adventurer

Introduction

Few climbing experiences stand out in my memory more than my first climb on the Diamond in Rocky Mountain National Park. I’ll never forget the feeling in my stomach as I stood below that wall looking up at it in the first light of dawn, the massive exposure on the route, or watching the sunset while standing on the summit of Longs Peak. I’ll also never forget the seven-mile hike out sans headlamp and sans water… Never again!

On most one-day blitzes into the backcountry since I’ve carried enough water to get me through, but on longer stays some sort of water treatment is part of the game plan. That has, in the past, included boiling, filters, tablets, and chemicals. More recently, I’ve been trying the SteriPEN Adventurer.

How It Works

The concept is simple: The SteriPEN uses ultraviolet light to render waterborne nasties harmless. UV light disrupts the DNA of microorganisms so that they cannot reproduce, and is commonly used in scientific labs and hospitals for sterilizing equipment.

The SteriPEN is basically a flashlight-sized device that is half-handle and half-bulb. A press of the single button on the side readies the pen to treat a liter of water (two rapid presses will set it to treat half a liter). The bulb is then immersed (typically into a Nalgene bottle) and stirred around gently for 90 seconds at which point the water is safe to drink.

The single button and LED makes it easy to use, and the SteriPEN times each treatment and automatically shuts off so you don’t have to be watching the clock.

Performance Notes From The Field

The original SteriPEN has been on the market for quite some time, but it’s cost, bulk, and rumors of questionable durability have kept me from considering it. However, the Adventurer – SteriPEN’s latest model – promises to address at least a few of these concerns. I spent a good deal of time testing it in various settings in Colorado’s Front Range, and below I’ve bulleted some notes I’ve made from using it in the real world so those unfamiliar with it can get a sense of it’s strengths and limitations.

• Construction. The Adventurer is indeed smaller and more durable than the original SteriPEN. Most of the Adventurer is covered with a beefy rubberized plastic, and the bulb itself has a tightly fitting protective cover. Opening this requires holding the pen firmly in both hands and “bending” it to pop it loose. This exposes the bulb, which appears fragile, but is reportedly quite strong. There is a single LED light and button on the side of the pen and even some printed instructions. The end opens up with a metal screw (easily turned with a coin) to provide access to the batteries. Be careful in the field because the screw, cap, and o-ring could each easily be lost. The whole pen slides nicely into a nylon pouch (current models have a neoprene pouch).
• Size and Weight. The Adventurer easily fits in the palm of your hand and is significantly smaller and lighter than any filter out there. It’s not quite competitive in size and weight with small bottles of chemicals, but when you consider the health benefits of not ingesting these chemicals and the time advantage of not having to wait for them to work, I think it is a good trade off. The Adventurer is about 6 inches long and weighs in at just over 100 grams with the batteries – the weight of two large locking biners.
• Basic Use. If you’re used to running water through a filter, boiling it, or adding chemicals, the first sip of SteriPEN-treated water may make you nervous, but it does work; a quick Google turns up plenty of positive third-party lab test results, as do links on the SteriPEN website. I like that the SteriPEN treats water in 1 and 0.5 liter increments which correspond to the size of many commonly available water bottles. One should note that it will not operate unless the bulb is completely immersed (there are two small water sensors at the base of the bulb which detect this), and cannot fit into a narrow-mouth Nalgene bottle. Wide-mouth bottles are perfect. Once the button is pushed, the LED blinks and you have 15 seconds to insert the bulb until the pen resets. Once inserted, the LED goes out and the main bulb emits a blue light. This is a nice feature: UV light is invisible to the naked eye, but the bulb is designed to also emit visible light to show you that it is working. Treatment ends when the light goes out (90 seconds for one liter, 48 seconds for a half liter) and the LED comes on green again. I did note that in direct sunlight I could not see that the bulb was on – I found it helpful to go to a shady area in order to confirm it was working.
• Safety Features. The Adventurer is thoughtfully designed in order to ensure that your water is safe to drink. For example, if it detects that there is not enough battery life to complete a treatment, the pen will not activate at all, rather than performing an incomplete treatment. The LED can also flash red at various times to indicate errors; consult with the manual to figure out what the problem is. I also like how one press of the button treats one liter and two presses treats a half liter instead of the other way around – this prevents water from being under treated if a second press of the button accidentally fails to register. The water sensors also prevent the bulb from operating outside of the water – preventing exposure to harmful UV light and conserving battery life. Lastly, the bulb is designed to last for 5000 treatments (a lifetime of moderate use), and the Adventurer keeps track of each use and alerts the user when you have less than 100 uses left (and will not function at all beyond 5000). [editor's note: current SteriPEN Adventurer's last for 8000 treatments]
• More on Use. Keep in mind that the SteriPEN doesn’t actually remove anything from the water. So, if there are nasty little floaties in it, or if your water is murky, you may have to filter it somehow prior to treatment. In fact, the SteriPEN will not work in water that is not relatively clear, as all the water needs to be exposed to the light. I tried out SteriPEN’s pre-filter, a basic filter that screws on to the end of a Nalgene – it works well to strain particles out of dirty water, but it is a little bulky and I wouldn’t bring it unless I knew I’d be encountering a lot of murky water.
• The Solar Charging Case. I also tried out the Adventurer’s solar charging case. This is a rather bulky black case (but perhaps still smaller than most filters) that has a solar panel on the outside. It provides extra protection for the Adventurer, as well as a way to recharge the two (rechargeable) CR123 batteries that can power the SteriPEN. The solar charging case also comes with an AC adapter (and available cigarette lighter adapter) to rapidly charge the batteries at home. I found the solar charging case to work, but very slowly – charging batteries took several days of sun exposure which was a bit disappointing. However, on an extended trip into the backcountry, two sets of batteries could be rotated between active use and charging to ensure that the SteriPEN is always ready.
• Battery Life. The manual claims that disposable CR123 batteries will yield approximately 50 one-liter treatments and that rechargeable CR123’s will yield about 35. I found this to be pretty much right on, but in the case of rechargeables, only if I charged them from the AC adapter beforehand. Using the solar charger, I was getting closer to 15-25 treatments. Nevertheless, I think the numbers are good: For a long weekend climbing, I felt confident carrying the Adventurer with a single set of fully charged batteries. For anything longer, I’d bring the solar charging case and/or two sets of batteries. Sometimes I wish the Adventurer worked on AAA batteries (since my headlamp and just about every other electronic device these days uses them), but the CR123 batteries, although expensive, are readily available.
• Final Notes on Use. Carrying electronics, especially those that ensure personal health and safety, into the wilderness is, in my opinion, risky. However, the Adventurer feels pretty simple and durable, and I had no problems with it despite the rumors of I've heard of malfunctions. I think many of these may be related to the original model, which was not designed to handle rugged conditions. Even the Adventurer, however, is susceptible to temperature extremes, and may not operate in sub-freezing conditions. While you can easily carry it close to your body to keep it warm enough, battery life may not be as good in extreme cold.

Bottom Line

For someone who has never liked the thought (or taste) of ingesting harmful chemicals like chlorine or iodine, and doesn’t like the weight and bulk of a filter, the SteriPEN Adventurer is a great alternative. Functionality and reliability seem to be excellent with this newest model, and I appreciate a lot of the small touches and thoughtful design that went into the Adventurer. Seemingly just about every detail was purposeful and well executed, and that gives me a lot of confidence in the device and the company. The major tradeoff, in my opinion, is the initial cost of the setup, but I think you’re getting a quality product that, when factored over it’s lifespan, ends up being reasonable. I can’t comment on extended, heavy use of the SteriPEN, but for overnights and long weekends in the backcountry the SteriPEN meets my needs perfectly.

The SteriPEN Adventurer Handheld Water Purifier

Retail Price: $99.95
Weight: 105 g with batteries
Includes: SteriPEN Adventurer, nylon pouch, 2x CR123 batteries, manual
www.steripen.com

The SteriPEN Solar Charging Case

Retail Price: $49.95
Weight: 194 g
Includes: Charging Case with belt clip, 2x CR123 rechargeable batteries, AC adapter, manual

The SteriPEN Water Bottle Pre-Filter

Retail Price: $12.95
Weight: 42 g
Includes: Pre-Filter, manual

Great review. Thanks Josh.

This was my favorite piece on non-climbing gear on my 2 month road trip.

The pre-filter doesn't seem like it'd be worth it, but it makes filling nalgenes *so much* easier & keeps the lip clean from untreated water.

I've used the SteriPen around the world (South America, Africa, southeast Asia, & New Zealand) and can say that it works quite well. Agreed that the pre-filter does work well for larger dirt particles (very muddy water might still be muddy - but it would with any other filter). I filtered a dirty little stream in New Zealand surrounded by sheep droppings and the pre-filter cleaned out the dirt and the SteriPen worked just great - or at least I didn't get sick. The ease of filling water in the backcountry without pumping or waiting for and tasting chemicals is amazing. No clogged filters and you can save your arm strength for the climbing.

I still bring backup tablets as electronics or batteries can die, but I also do that with a water filter as I've had those break as well.

UV light works great at killing bugs. But the bugs are still there. Theoretically if there were sufficient amounts of bugs your body could have an inflammatory response, not against replicating bacteria etc. but against molecules on the surface of the bugs (not changed by UV). In this case the you could get the squirts. Has anyone used these devices and had short term ailments?

How would you compare this to the MSR pen? Despite never getting sick from it I don't really trust this thing.

I got interuppted a zillion times while writing this... so apologies if it's rambly.

Jared Workman wrote:If I think I need to use the pre filter I just use a pump filter, the thing is kind of slow and annoying. If I have ample sources of running water I always bring the Steripen, it works like a charm and is much more convenient than standard ceramic pump filters.

why carry the extra weight bulk? the filter let's you fill up a nalgene sooooo much more easily. It saves so much time & frustration.

desbien wrote:UV light works great at killing bugs. But the bugs are still there. Theoretically if there were sufficient amounts of bugs your body could have an inflammatory response, not against replicating bacteria etc. but against molecules on the surface of the bugs (not changed by UV). In this case the you could get the squirts. Has anyone used these devices and had short term ailments?

Personally I think the small amts of half dead & fully maimed bugs are really inconsequential unless you're very immunosupressed (chemo, full blown AIDS, etc) or already have some sort of *debilitating* autoimmune thing going on. In the latter case, it's not the bugs that'll be the problem. But that's another discussion.

People consume tons of *live* bugs every time they eat & drink at home, restaurants, etc. Hell, they do so when, well they smooch on their spouse/partner.

I never got sick this summer, though this guy at the Climber's ranch who went overboard w/ iodine had GI probs.

Jeff Barnow wrote:How would you compare this to the MSR pen? Despite never getting sick from it I don't really trust this thing.

I've never used the Miox because it not only requires batteries but also refill salts & indicator strips... that's 3 "consummables" to keep track of. The Miox also takes anywhere from 15 mins to 4 hrs.

I used to work in environments that required strict sterile technique. When leaving work every day, the biosafety cabinets (the "hood") were closed & UV turned on for the evening to ensure sterility of the work station. It wasn't required to leave it on all night- some people would turn on the UV for 10 mins prior to working in the hood, the thought being that those 10 mins were adequate to ensure a sterile workspace.

UV has always been used for sterilization (before their were UV lights there was the sun), probably well before steripens were manufactured. For people who are not lab slaves/ lab rats however, I can see how a it'd take a bit of faith to rely on a little light pen to keep you from getting the sheets.

The way UV works is that it fatally damages the DNA of microorganisms (bacterial, viral, protozoal). Pushing the button, waiting for the flashing green light & spinning it around a 1L Nalgene is, in my experience, very adequate for zapping marmot turd germs in the Tetons & Sierras.... and Marmots ALWAYS leave turds near water.

It takes 2 CR123 batteries. I brought 4 fully precharged rechargeables & tiny CR123 charger that I bought off ebay & carried a solio w/ me in case I needed to recharge. I never needed to.


a not so informative view of me using the steripen

while I sprang for the filter, I did not get the solar charging case. I had a solio so that if I needed to I could charge camera batteries & cell phone.

(I promise I'm not one of those obnoxious cell phone people.)

I did some surfing and found a credible report giving the steripen the thumbs down...
usachppm.apgea.army.mil/wpd…

check out page 16...bads news! And turbid water is out! Particles block/absorb uv light. And how about contributing to mercury pollution (UV lights use mercury). I was happy to see my sweet water was ranked #1. Consider it training weight.

I will concede on the inflammation point. Probably have to eat *dead* pooh to get sick...dosage issue. I use ethanol in my hoods ;)

Responding to an earlier query, I've used the MSR Miox for a couple of seasons and have not really taken to it. Based on what I've read it does a good job of scrubbing the water of contaminants...if it works. In the field I had to keep referring to the instructions, keep replacing the salt crystals, not fumble the testing strips in the dark, etc., etc. Almost like a mini chemistry set. And on those occasions where for reasons unknown to me it didn't work as advertised, the water came out tasting like seawater; obviously I'd OD'ed on the rock salts. Not bashing the product for sport, just giving my experience using it as best I could. Most of the time it worked, occasionally the water tasted off, but I never became sick from bad water, either. I'm interested in the SteriPen, great review.

The MIOX has pretty much been a roll of the dice to me. In fact I attribute the only reason I didn't get sick is because the water I've filtered could be drank straight from the stream unfiltered.

My experience:

Zap water 20 times and indicator still doesn't work in temps less than 20 degrees or so. Even 4 hours later.

End up spending an hour for a task that should have taken five minutes.

Batteries died last time...dead weight.

Salt replacement sucks. Disposal of the litmus sucks. Never confident that it really worked.

All in all I would not recommend this product to anyone.

We took 2 steri-pens on Kili 2 years ago. When they work they are fantastic. We treated water out of the streams that had "only God knows what" in them and no one got sick on the mountain. Our problems have been getting them to work (turn on) consistently enough to depend on them. With moderate amounts of frustration, we have gone back to our hand-pump filters...A fairly expensive experiment.

I have experimented with alkaline batteries, but found Lithium Batteries to be the best investment in my MIOX. At least 10x more battery life.

Josh wrote, "The SteriPEN uses ultraviolet light to render waterborne nasties harmless. UV light disrupts the DNA of microorganisms so that they cannot reproduce, and is commonly used in scientific labs and hospitals for sterilizing equipment."
I assume "disrupts the DNA" means alters the DNA. So basically you are consuming genetically altered microorganisms. I know must of us probably consume genetically modified food products daily, even if we try to avoid them, but consuming living genetically modified microorganisms just freaks me out a bit. Does anyone else have concerns or comments on this aspect of the SteriPEN? My girlfriend bought me one for Xmas (we couldn't wait another week to open our presents)and I'm wondering if I should trade it in for some ice screws or something. Or should I just shut up and drink the water?

Ok I got it. TOXINS! Proteins from the bugs wouldn't be affected. Toxins on the surface, secreted whatever. Theoretically, if the water had a high enough load of toxin producing bugs, then you would get sick.
Bugs should be so mixed up with their DNA that the won't replicate. I wouldn't consider this analogous to GMO stuff.

Keen Butterworth wrote:Josh wrote, "The SteriPEN uses ultraviolet light to render waterborne nasties harmless. UV light disrupts the DNA of microorganisms so that they cannot reproduce, and is commonly used in scientific labs and hospitals for sterilizing equipment." I assume "disrupts the DNA" means alters the DNA. So basically you are consuming genetically altered microorganisms. I know must of us probably consume genetically modified food products daily, even if we try to avoid them, but consuming living genetically modified microorganisms just freaks me out a bit. Does anyone else have concerns or comments on this aspect of the SteriPEN? My girlfriend bought me one for Xmas (we couldn't wait another week to open our presents)and I'm wondering if I should trade it in for some ice screws or something. Or should I just shut up and drink the water?

this should not matter. unless one plans on exchanging DNA w/ the microorganisms. as in mating.

but to get more bang for the buck, you could just get iodine + ice screws. There's not many cheap/easy alternatives to ice screws, but there is for water treatment.

The cumulative amt of mercury that comes from those energy efficient light bulbs (that are supposed to last 5+ yrs but never do!) is way more than steripens. And those light bulbs' mercury output is considered "negligible" by environmental groups, surprisingly. I find that a little weird, but in terms of the Steripen, it's mercury pollution factor is, in the grand scheme of things, essentially zero. I'm not "core" enough to be using it *that* often.

If I'm going anywhere where water treatment is an issue, I'll always carry backup iodine. Ya know, redundancy.

If I were going to a 3rd world country, I'd also be stashing drugs like antibiotics, antimalarials, etc.

I am getting ready to head to Peru to hike the Inca Trail and have been deciding as to whether or not bring a water purifying kit or not and if so, what. I have looked at the SteriPen and read the reviews. I am inclined to purchase a SteriPen because I think we'll be drinking primarily bottled and/or boiled water but I want it as back up.

However - after reading about the salmonella poisoning from the Pisco Sours and others who have been sick - I'm questioning if I want something stronger for purifying the water.

Any recommendations on what to bring? I have an uncle that just returned from Peru from a group trip with no hiking and both he and his wife have suffered serious stomach issues. I want to prevent that from happening.

Thanks!

I've been using the original Steripen on an around the world trip and have had no issues. The original Steripen uses AA batteries. Like any electronics you need to not drop it and pack it safely. The original Steripen packs nicely inside of a 1 liter bottle when going through the airport etc. Note: If I was buying a new Steripen I would get the new smaller version.

In reply to Denise10. Buy a Steripen treat your water and enjoy Peru. You will most likely get sick in Peru but that is part of travel. You could avoid Pisco Sours and eating out at restaurants but then why go to Peru. Just stay home... We were in Peru in 2006. We had a great time around Cusco, Machu Picchu, Huaraz and the Cordillera Blanca. I'm almost certain that we got sick from one of the little cafes in Huaraz. Thank god for imodium (loperamide) and CIPRO.

Happy Travels

THanks for the advise!!! I think I'm going to see if we have tablets left over from our ecuador trip last year and if we've used them up then I'm going to invest in the SteriPen.

Again - thanks so much! I'll toast a Pisco Sour to you!

Denise

I found the taste to be strange, so I bring drink mix packet for flavoring it.