Which water filter will you use for your family?

[bixa525]

I am in search of purchasing a good water filter that will provide our family with clean drinkable water that will sustain us in an emergency situation if we have to live off the grid. I am looking at the Katadyn but am not sure of which one to purchase. Can anyone help me out? Thanks!

[2531]

If money is no object, then the Berkey is the way to go. It is the top of the line.

[Lowdown3]

The three main models worth considering each have a slightly different purpose-

The TRK Drip filter is a table top model that works via gravity. For homestead/base camp type use this is the best way to go IMO. Bucket your water from the creek, river, lake or local mud hole and pour it in the top chamber of the unit. The filters are in the top chamber and the filtered water "drips" (hence the name) down to the bottom part which is essentially just a collection container.

http://www.jrhenterprises.com/product.sc?productId=25&categoryId=8

If you search on the forums here their is reviews of this from folks that have bought these from the site sponsor- JRH Enterprises.

The model Katadyn is most known for is the Pocket Filter-

http://www.jrhenterprises.com/product.sc?productId=23&categoryId=8

The Pocket is about the size of a 2 "d" cell flashlight and built like a tank. You can stand on the housing, throw it on the ground, etc. It filters up to 13,000 gallons making the cheapest PER GALLON water filter on the market. The perfect filter for your bug out bag, fighting gear, etc. Smart people look at the COST versus the PRICE of the unit.

In other words, the cheapie $68. chemical filter that will only filter 200 gallons before needing another $40. filter has a higher COST PER GALLON than the Pocket filter. How many extra filters will have you to buy for the "cheaper priced" chemical based filter to make up to the same amount of water the Pocket Filter will do? 13,000 gallons divided by 200 = 65 extra filters you would need to buy.

So are the $68. chemical filters really worth it long term? Nope. Cause it will cost you over $2600. in extra filters to filter the same amount of water the Pocket filter will at $280. or so dollars.

Gotta think long term- spending a couple bucks less initially on a cheapie chemical filter will COST YOU an additional $2400. in the long run.
New folks rarely "run the numbers" like this on REAL COSTS of gear. It's a good habit to get into doing as it will save you money over the long term making smart choices in gear.

Finally, their is the Katadyn Mini filter

http://www.jrhenterprises.com/product.sc?productId=24

Smaller version of the Pocket that filters up to 3,000 gallons. Still much cheaper way to go than the standard $68. cheapie chemical based filter. Very durable, you can stand on these also. Perfect size for bug out bags, car kits, fighting gear, etc.

We use a Drip filter daily at the homestead, Pocket filters are the wife and my bug out bags, our fighting loads and the boy's BOB has Mini filters.

Search on the forums here, the site sponsor- JRH Enterprises puts the Katadyns on sale regularly, and you can read other site member's reviews of units they have purchased from JRH.

[Grinnan Barrett]

I have used Katadyn for years. Most of them purchased from JRH. Got my first Pocket from JRH back in 1990s when they were in Florida. Bought two more Minis there in last six months. Katadyn offers table top models as well as portable units. I have used a Berkey before and it is also fine if you have a table top to put it on. I will stick with my Katadyns for now.

[bixa525]

Ok I checked out the Katadyn drip filter on the JRH site but it doesn't tell me which model it is. I know there is a Ceradyn and a Gravadyn model. From what I read on Amazon there are pro's and cons to each model. Can anyone share with me which model they have and which model JHR offers?

[protus]

i wont talk for JRH.
BUt i ordered the ceradyn from them and a mini.
I already owned a hiker.

go with the ceradyn....you wont be dispapointed.

[bixa525]

Protus, I am pretty much leaning towards the Ceradyn but some of the people who reviewed it said the taste of the water is a bit compromised because the Ceradyn uses all ceramic filters where as the Gravadyn uses ceramic and charcoal which gives the water a better taste. The problem I have is the people that purchased the Gravadyn said the filters need changed every 6 months where as the Ceradyn will filter for many thousands of gallons. Someone mentioned purchasing the Ceradyn and then running that filtered water through a charcoal filter. This would essentially be the best of both worlds. Any advice or comments?

[protus]

the ceradyn filters last twice as long as the gravdyne ( they use apleated/charcoal based filetr like the hiker/hiker pro.)
The ceradyn's are ceramnic and go for 40k gallons irrc.
My water tatse fine. no after tatse etc.

Most folks that use these things run 1-2 liters or 1-2 gallons and then put them away( it takes 2-3 gallons imho for them to fully flush out prior to use). I only know of a few people that use them day to day ( me being on of them)

[deijoe]

Buying a Berkey, need the 2 gallon capacity.

[bixa525]

How many gallons a day can you filter from the Ceradyn?

[protus]

How many gallons a day can you filter from the Ceradyn?

how much water do you have. thats its limit imho.
i run 2 filters in mine not 3 and its fast enough ...im cheap so thats why i do that and keep 2 more filters as back ups....

[protus]

Buying a Berkey, need the 2 gallon capacity.

my ceradyn holds 10 liters in the filter area..and 10 in the "filtered" area/......thats well over 2 gallons........ and cost way less than a berkey of the same size...........

[bixa525]

Thanks Protus, I have decided to go with the Ceradyn model. It sounds like a good dependable unit.

[protus]

Thanks Protus, I have decided to go with the Ceradyn model. It sounds like a good dependable unit.

i have had zero issues in the 1 year i have had mine.....and my water is not as bad as others i know who useed it dailey for many more years than that!

[bixa525]

Protus, can I ask one more question? When it comes time to change the filters, do you have to change all three of them at one time? How do you know when it is time to change them? Thanks for being so helpful.