[pct-l] Steripen

[Trekker4 at aol.com]

Been several posts lately on Steripen; here's my  input. I originally bought 
a Classic; had no problems with it, except when I let  the battery compartment 
gasket get wet 1.5 dys before the end of my last CO  Trail hike in 06. 
Steripen replaced it for $10; said they'd repair it, but the  one that came back 
wasn't mine, and looked brand new. It weighs 7 oz, with  lithium batteries and 
some Potable Aqua for emergencies. 
    When the Adventurer/Traveler came out, I decided to  spend the money for 
the weight savings. Ordered it on an REI 20% off sale; then  I looked in Sam's 
for batteries - nope; WalMart - yep, for $10. Then I reread  the battery life 
chart - $10 for 12.5 gl. The Classic gives 50 gl for $10 of  lithiums; sent 
the Adventurer/Traveler back; wasn't worth the weight savings, to  me, or the 
difficulty of finding CR-123 batteries in a pinch.
    I started keeping track of real life battery usage,  last summer on the 
PCT; so far, this set of lithium's are up to 11.25 gl.  I'll try to remember to 
post the final results next summer, uh this  summer.
    I had an idea a few days ago for a light debris  filter for h2o - the 
stainless screen from a broken french press coffee maker. I  haven't tested one, 
or checked the weight, but I know from washing a french  press daily that the 
screen is very light. Just checked it on my cheap postal  scales - barely 
moved the needle on the 25-lb scale, and less than 1/4 oz on the  1-lb scale.  
 
 
Bob  "Trekker"
Big Bend Desert Denizen
Naturalized Citizen - Republic of  Texas

Government cripples you, then hands you a crutch and says, 'See, if  it 
wasn't for us, you couldn't walk.' 
-- Harry Browne

"If you think  health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it costs 
when its free."  
-- P. J. ORourke


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