Steripen UV Water Purifier

• Portable water purification
• Purifies 32 oz. in less than two minutes
• Exceeds EPA's highest standards for water purification

Simple and dependable, the SteriPEN uses germicidal UV light to sterilize water. All you do is stir the SteriPEN in a bottle of clear water for about a minute. While it is a high-tech approach to sterilizing water, the operation couldn't be easier and we've carried the product for two years with virtually no reliability problems.

The operation is foolproof. Simply stir the SteriPEN in a water bottle for complete sterilization. A green light flashes when the SteriPEN is ready and it stays lit until the water is sterilized. You are always assured that your water really is sterilized because the Steripen exceeds the EPA's standards for performance in sterilizing drinking water. A partial list of microorganisms that the Steripen can destroy include dysentery, giardia, e. coli and salmonella. And you've got options as far as batteries go. The SteriPEN can use alkaline, lithium or rechargeable NiMH batteries. Alkalines will sterilize about five gallons of water, while lithium batteries will sterilize up to 17 gallons of water. NiMH batteries will sterilize about 18 gallons per charge.

An optional pre-filter is available for murky water so you can clean it before using the SteriPEN. The SteriPEN comes with a 1-year warranty and has been a very reliable product for us.

Whether you are on the trail or in your hotel room, the SteriPEN is the quickest way to purify water. And when you aren't traveling with it, you will have added peace of mind of havng a source of clean water at home in case of emergency. Highly recommended.

Dimensions: 7.6 x 1.5 inches
Weight: 5.7 oz
Batteries: 4 AA lithium (not included)
Battery Life: 200 treatments (16 ounces of water)
Lamp Life: 8, 000 liters

Reviews:Safe drinking water is a necessity of life, but because many countries don't have a sufficient (if any) water purification infrastructure, it can be a serious challenge to find. Chemical treatment works in a pinch, but I'm not fond of the taste or the prospect of what iodine or chlorine might do to my body over a long period of use. Filters are effective, but take up valuable space in a pack and require prolonged pumping. Enter SteriPEN, a device that purifies water using Ultraviolet light. About the size of a small screwdriver, SteriPEN is lightweight, takes up very little space and uses no chemicals. All I had to do was fill a water bottle, press the button and stir with the SteriPEN for about 90 seconds and I had a liter of water safe from bacteria, viruses and protozoa. It was extremely liberating being able to utilize fountains, faucets and springs, even in the most remote Himalayan villages. I even used it on water served to me in a restaurant in Namche Bazaar, just to be safe. I also really liked the fact that, like many Everest trekkers, I wasn't relying on bottled water, from which the disposable plastic bottles are causing a serious litter problem in Nepal. It was also a fun conversation piece and gathered a small crowd of onlookers each time I used it. Two considerations to take into account before trading in your iodine tabs are that it requires about one set of 4 AA batteries per person per week to keep SteriPEN running, and it doesn't work with water that is cloudy with sediment like a filter and chemical treatments do.[Sean Bagshaw, Outdoor Exposure Photography, Oregon