Q: Katadyn Pocket Microfilter | |
tydon20
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Hello! My name is Ty Donaldson. I am a senior Industrial Design student at Savannah College of Art and Design. I am doing my final project to create a new and innovative way of water filtration by implementing new and existing technologies.
The questions I have specifically for the Katadyn Pocket are:
-Is the "ergonomic" pump actually ergonomic and comfortable? Is the metal material too cumbersome? Would a softer material be easier?
-Is the pump action easier than other actual leverage pump designs (i.e. Vario)? Comparatively, due to it's higher price range demographic, is it worth the money (function&weight)? Does it's "strokes" per minute require less, more, or equally the same energy?
-Is the heavier material an aid in freezing temperatures to keep the water from freezing when not in use?
If you feel that these questions would be easier answered by another person that you could reference me to please pass along my information to help me get a better grasp on what is truly the best technology in the market. Thank you so much!
Ty Donaldson
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melissa
 | Posted: October 4th, 2010 Edited: October 4th, 2010 | Quote, Reply |
Hi Ty,
The "ergonomic" pump is relative. This filter used to have this T-shaped handle that was pretty uncomfortable for how hard this filter requires you to push. By the time you got a liter of water, your hand hurt. So, it is improved, but no, in my opinion, it is not the most ergonomic or comfortable. I dont think that the metal is necessarily uncomfortable, but a softer material on the outside of the handle might be nice.
In my experience in demo-ing filters, people find the leverage type of pump action easier (ie. Vario, Sweetwater) than the up-and-down-movement (Hiker, Pocket).
As for functionality and weight, it completely depends on what one is using this filter for whether it is worth the effort and weight. The reason for the high price on this thing is because it is very durable and long-lived. The metal parts arent going to ware or break, and one filter cartridge lasts over 10,000-13,000 gallons instead of 150-500 for the other portable filters on the market. If you are using the filter daily for a long period of time (say, in the military or for a relief effort), you are going to want something durable, field cleanable, and that doesnt require you to purchase a replacement cartridge every week. (Continued)
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melissa
| Posted: October 4th, 2010 Edited: October 4th, 2010 | Quote, Reply |
(Cont.) For a person or a family going out backpacking for a week at a time here and there, I would say that the weight and functionality would not be worth the price. As with most ceramic filters, it takes a lot of effort per strokeabout 16 pounds of the force, vs. 1.6-8 pounds for a glassfiber filter (ie. Hiker or Sweetwater). It also weighs twice as much.
The number of strokes is measured per liter. It is about 70 strokes per liter vs. 34-82 strokes for the other portable filters, so more energy. I think a better measure, though, is the liters per minute output. They quote 0.86 L/min (this seems high actually) vs. 1-1.5 L/min. for the others.
As for freezing, Katadyn/Pur have said in the past that this isnt an issue, even with their smaller filters. And, surely, the outer casing and metal parts on the filter housing are more durable than the plastic ones. As for the filter media, though, it is the same material (granted, thicker) as other ceramic filters, which I have seen crack. So I have to wonder if you left some water droplets in the filter and then if it froze at night, would that compromise the ceramic? Even if the cracks were on a microscopic level, that is all it would take for bacteria to sneak through. The glassfiber fliter media is not as rigid, so it doesnt seem like it would crack if frozen. But this is all in my opinion, and Katadyn/Pur have always maintained that both types of filter media can withstand some freezing.
Hope that helps!
Melissa
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