| SterPEN Classic has been proven in the field by Appalachian Trail thru-hikers and Everest climbers. It uses 4 AA batteries that are not included. Batteries are an important choice to make. We strongly recommend Lithium or NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) batteries as they deliver 6 to 10 times more doses per set than Alkaline or Nickel Cadmium alternatives. Lithium or NiMH batteries will purify 170-230 16oz. (0.5L) glasses of water. The SteriPEN Classic eliminates viruses, bacteria and protozoa as its Ultraviolet Light (UV) destroys the DNA of microbes. It is effective against Outdoor Microbes like Giardia and Cryptosporidium; Travel Pathogens that cause Diarrhea, Dysentry, Hepatitis, and Legionnaire's Disease; Household Germs such as Bird Flu and Influenzas, E. Coli & Salmonella; and Staph & Strep; Natural Disaster Risks like Botulism, Cholera, Smallpox and Typhoid. SteriPEN Classic makes a great addition to Emergency Preparedness Kits. See our complete test data on our website www.steripen.com or e-mail us at spsales@steripen.com |
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- Destroys viruses, bacteria and protozoa--including Giardia and Cryptosporidium--using ultraviolet (UV) light
- Takes 48 seconds to purify 16 ounces of fluid, 90 seconds for 32 ounces
- Easy to use--just press a button to start and the SteriPEN shuts off when purification is complete
- No pumping, no chemicals, no test strips, no timekeeping, no lubricating, and no replacement filters required
- Powered by 4 AA batteries; weighs 8 ounces and measures 7.6 inches long
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 Super water purifier |
| Review Date: January 2, 2008 |
| Reviewer: We Trekk, USA |
| I let my daughter and her boyfriend use my Steripen while trekking in Nepal for 3 weeks. Since bottled water was expensive and hard to get at the higher elevations they Steripened all water on the trek. The water sources were creeks and any other puddle they could find. If you have ever been to Nepal you know how polluted water sources can be. They never got sick, but did report many others getting sick while using iodine tablets. Iodine does not kill viruses and Crytosporidia so you are taking a chance with these pills in many international destinations. They also used it for 4 weeks in India without any problems. For longest battery life use Lithium. |
Great little device.
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| Review Date: September 4, 2009 |
| Reviewer: John Braun, Earth |
Have been traveling for a total of a year with this little device. Never got sick. Not needing cartridges is nice. Don't get the ones that take CR123A cells - how are you going to find those in Uzbekistan?
Some tips, no particular order:
1. Buy one large silk neckerchief, 2 Nalgene HDPE *narrowmouth* bottles, 4 high-capacity AA NiMH eneloop batteries, and a wall charger. The neckerchief is your filter for "floaty stuff" and the Steripen snaps into the mouth of the Nalgenes like it was made for it, providing a watertight seal. Shake instead of stir, and no spilled water! Buy all this and never have to find bottled water in rural China again!
2. Dry it thoroughly before storing! Otherwise you'll get scale (limestone) buildup between the sensor electrodes and the pen will refuse to start.
3. With NiMH 2500mAh batteries, you can purify about 40 liters before a recharge.
4. Note that the Steripen DOES NOT remove harmful chemicals like oil or gasoline from water! To fill your water bottle safely from a source with oil or other petrochemicals floating on the top, submerge the CAPPED bottle first under the water, open the bottle underwater to fill, and cap the bottle underwater and bring it back out. Old Army trick.
5. Locals by the watering holes in Africa will wonder what the hell you are doing. And it's completely impossible to pantomime what the Steripen does. :)
6. Bring iodine tablets as a backup. Though it works well, it's electronic and can break. |
It Works.
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| Review Date: April 11, 2006 |
| Reviewer: Apple Box, Western Washington |
| I've had it for over a year but have only used it a few times. I haven't gotten sick. The water I used it on was likly clean. The only warning is making absolutely certain that the threads on your bottle lids are clean and dry which may be difficult. It only takes one drop of contaminated water to run back into the sterilized supply. I look forward to purchasing the filter cap. I looked at the MIOX but the fact that takes up to 6 hours to work on viruses put me off. |
Best portable water treatment out there
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| Review Date: February 7, 2006 |
| Reviewer: screechmusic, |
I've been very impressed with this little device. I've done a lot of backpacking and used both the pumps and the chemical treatments. This gets the job done much faster (90 seconds for a liter), with no chemical taste, and best of all it's small enough that you don't have to limit using it to camping out. In fact, I take mine with me pretty much whenever I leave the house! (ok, maybe I'm a bit paranoid about the water-supply..)
Anyway, I definitely recommend the steripen, and don't think there is anything comparable out there (there's another thing that looks pen-shaped but it uses a chemical process that takes a long time to really kill the stuff you want to kill).
Happy travels! |
Remember it doesn't remove toxins,chemicals,etc
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| Review Date: April 24, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Bob Benedum, St John USVI |
I bought my Steripen 4 years ago to use on St John,where we all drink rainwater that is collected off our roofs(with bird/lizard poop),and stored in cisterns(with frogs,leaves,silt,) and it works great.Rainwater clogs small pump type filters really fast,like after 10 gallons.
BUT:Just remember this is just rendering the bugs harmless...if your water has airborne/roof borne/inherent contaminants like chemicals,or toxins from the bugs activities,this will not do anything about those toxins.Rainwater in cisterns,and from many other sources,may contain alot of stuff that is potentially toxic,(especially in the long term)but not alive,and only a charcoal filtration system will trap and remove that stuff.
So just be aware that you have only rendered the bugs harmless,but their toxins and other chemicals are still in the water.Use the cleanest water you can find,and look upstream.
That being said,I have consumed swampwater(Yech!) in the wilderness and not gotten
sick and I consider this device essential to my lifestyle. |
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