Camelbak’s new All Clear water bottle utilizes proven UV technology to effectively neutralize microbiological contaminants to EPA standards in 60 seconds. That’s right. The same bottle you drink from can be used to purify your water. No funny taste. No difficult to use filters. All you have to do is fill your bottle. Replace the cap, press the button for 2 seconds and then agitate it for 60 seconds.
Available for unit and agency orders from ADSinc.com
So is this along the lines of using water that is generally clear (ie taps, streams, spigots and more) as opposed to being able to take visibly dirty or muddy water? How would this stand up to a Katadyn or Seychelle filter bottle? Just curious.
Different mechanisms. It uses UV. They use filters.
Camelbak offers a lid that strains gunk out of water.
Ahh, got it. I’m a little leery of the power requirement, though. I guess you’d need to pair it with a good mini solar pack with a USB jack. Cool.
Has anyone ever used one of these? If so, did it work? I’ve always been sketchy of the whole UV thing.
I’ve used the original model of the steripen extensively (6 months in the backcountry). As long as the water is relatively clear you’re all set. A bandana folded once or twice and held over the mouth to the bottle makes a good sediment filter. Compared to iodine it is a quicker process (1-2 min vs 30 min) and it doesn’t change the taste of the water. Compared to a pump: there aren’t any hoses or filters to mess with and UV kills viruses which pumps can’t filter. Cons: fear of breaking bulb or running out of batteries. I always carry some chlorine tabs for back-up.
My Wife and I just went to Vietnam and Bali for 20 days and used the All Clear both in the city and out in the country and we never got sick. The filter for the bottle works well but is hard to get off once your hands get wet (suction) and depending on your water source you might want to bring something that changes the flavor of your newly purified water. But other than that the All Clear worked great in hotels, restaurants and out and about.
I charged the All Clear with an old cell phone charger and I had a back up cell phone battery, that fit the All Clear, with me just in case. The fact that the UV light screws onto your drinking bottle is awesome. I have owned the Steri pen for years and still haven’t perfected the water sensor (probably just me) but with the All Clear there were no issues at all.
The downside to the purifier is it’s weight (7 oz) vs Steri pens 4oz, and you have to buy the camelbak bottle. But I will always use this thing for Urban travel to 3rd world countries. It’s easy, convenient and my wife can use it. And if you turn off the lights while killing that ameba DNA it even felt like old raver days!
Even Chris Costa recommends the All Clear… Just kidding