Plumber Helper

If you have ever traveled to a country with a questionable water supply or done some overnight backpacking a good water purifier comes in handy. Sized for travelers or hikers, the innovative SteriPEN™ uses UV light rays instead of chemicals to purify drinking water.

The Specs
Ultraviolet (UV-C) light rays safely sterilize clear water by destroying viruses, bacteria and protozoa including Giardia and Cryptosporidium
SteriPEN is simple to use: Just press a button and gently agitate the water with a quick stir
Purifies 16 fl. oz. of water (cold or warm) in less than a minute or 32 fl. oz. in a minute and a half
Small size fits most containers–use it in cups, mugs, water bottles and canteens
SteriPEN turns itself off once ultraviolet treatment is complete; can be used up to 5,000 times!
Watertight seals keep water away from the electronics; rubberized inset grips for secure handling in wet conditions
Low-power indicator lets you know when batteries need replacing; twist-off cap for easy battery access
Long used by municipal water districts and bottling companies, low-level UV-C light treats water safely, and unit’s light will not damage eyes or skin
Four alkaline AA batteries purify 20 to 40 16-oz. glasses of water; purify 130 to 140 glasses with lithium AA batteries (batteries sold separately)
Average weight is 8 oz. with alkaline batteries and 6.4 oz. with lithium batteries; weight empty is 3.7 ounces
Use only on clear water, as cloudy, sediment-laden water hinders effectiveness
Newest SteriPEN features easier battery access, water bottle and military canteen compatibility and a new, slimmer carrying case

My findings:
it’s the best water purifier you can carry. It’s essentially a UV ray flashlight you submerge into your glass. The water stays cool and it doesn’t change the water, except to kill all the living things in it, viruses included. It is expensive, but pays for itself quickly, as you don’t have to buy bottled water.You just take out the SteriPEN, push a button, and stir the water with the glowing purple UV light (mind you will get stares from other diners) After less than 60 seconds, I would take out the SteriPEN and drink the water, occasionally hearing gasps from other tables. Then I’d mention that UV light is how certain towns and companies now sterilize water.

In the 3 months I used it while traveling, I never got sick and the recommended CR123 batteries lasted all summer. Of course, often buying a plastic bottle and tossing it in the car is more convenient, but the SteriPEN will save you if you need it and it will save you money if you use it. For backpacking, it’s what we call a disruptive technology — no other water purifier comes close. I haven’t tried the MIOX, but it seems like a hassle in comparison. You have to make a kind of concentrate that you pour into your water and you need salts for it. I would bet on the SteriPEN because you treat the water 100 percent, there are NO consumables, and there aren’t any follow-up steps, which you might screw up. I have tried pills and filters in the past, but I think the SteriPEN is the best solution in all circumstances. I would take one on an extended wilderness trek with no hesitation. It will become a permanent travel companion.

I bought the lightweight Traveler version (picture above), and my only complaint is that the silver coating disintegrated after a while somehow. It works fine, but now it looks more like a Star Trek prop than it did when I bought it. Since the Traveler and Adventurer models are the same product, just different colors, I would recommend the Adventurer. Quick asides: SteriPEN’s solar charger is way too heavy at this point. For a DIY SteriPEN, simply fill a bottle with water and leave it in the sun for several hours — the UV rays will kill the bacteria.