MSR's MIOX purifier, was Re: [Philmont]: Water purifiers, etc

As a reader of the water purifier/treatment/etc. discussion,
I'm pleased someone has mentioned the option of using
MSR's MIOX water purifier. This is a new technology
having became available in the civilian market around
December 2003. I've "field testing" the MIOX device
during a 9+ day, lightweight, long distance, backpacking trip
and a 6 day BSA summer camp. I'm a very pleased user
and would not consider using any other water treatment
method. Below is some information and some observations
on the MIOX purifier.

a. Very effective. Based on "mixed-oxidant" water purification
technology used by municipal water suppliers. Kills viruses and
bacteria in 15 minutes, giardia in 30 minutes, and cryptosporidia
in 4 hours. (Information is incorrect in previous posting.) Also
eliminates VX nerve gas, Soman, the blister agent Lewisite, and
the biological agents causing Anthrax, Plague, and others.

It met or exceeded the US EPA microorganism inactivation
requirements in all waters, meeting the requirement for a
"Purifier" designation.

Also tested by the US Military in Afghanistan and
at the Dugway Proving Ground. US military has
bought at least 8,000 MIOX purifiers.

b. Lightweight at about 3.5 oz for purifier only.
Additional weight for safety indicator strips.
Compact.

c. Rugged. No glass to break. Submersible.

d. Can rapidly start the treatment of large quantities
of water (do have to wait until treatment time has
passed.). Don't have to wait for "recharge" as
in Polar Pure.

e. Includes a safety indicator process to verify
water treatment. (Uses one-time use indicator
strips.) Per the owner's manual, the indicator
strips indicate reaching a certain oxidant concentration.
I use the indicator strips to test the treatment by
water source, not by individual water container.

(Interesting, the potable water at the BSA camp
needed about 150% treatment to get an OK reading.
The natural flowing water during my backpacking
trip needed the recommended amount of treatment.)

f. Purifies water without iodine and has no
unpleasant iodine taste. Manufacturer claims there
are no health risks.

g. More expensive to purchase than a filter at about
$130 (suggested retail) for the device (around 2x a filter???)
More expensive to operate than Polar Pure. Uses 1 small
bag of salt, and two lithium 3.0 volt CR123 batteries per
40-50 gallons treated. The CR123 are commonly available
camera batteries, with a pair of batteries costing $8 - $12.
The MSR MIOX replacement kit...50 new indicator
strips and bag of rock salt... is about $18. I purchase
the rock salt at a local grocery store.

h. Does not (as far as I know) have extensive
field usage by Boy Scout crews. Individuals
preferring traditional gear and methods can claim it is
"unproven" in a Boy Scout camping environment.

References:

On Dugway Proving Grounds: http://www.dugway.army.mil
On MSR's MIOX purifier (from REI): Search www.rei.com for MIOX
On MSR's MIOX purifier (from MSR): http://www.msrcorp.com/filters/miox.asp
On MIOX process (from MIOX Corporation):
http://www.miox.com/MIOX_process/miox_process.html
On MIOX information: http://www.miox.com

eric

----- Original Message -----
> From: "G.W. Wilhelm, Jr." <gww@endwell.net>
> To: "Multiple recipients of list philmont" <philmont@troop47.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, September 08, 2004 1:56 PM
> Subject: [Philmont]: Water purifiers, etc
>
>
> > I have one of the MIOX purifiers and we used it on our Trek 32 in
> July/August. We carried Polar Pure, and used it a few times, but everyone
> preferred the taste (and convenience) of the MIOX device. Less wait time,
> (slightly) better taste and more effective at killing the cooties than
Polar
> Pure. For example, Polar Pure does not kill viruses - MIOX does if the
wait
> time is long enough (approx. four hours). Otherwise, there is but a 30
> minute wait time before MIOX-treated water is ready to drink and sfe from
> bacteria, giardia, etc. We went the whole trip for a crew of 11 on the
> single set of batteries (not quite fresh) and a small packet of salt. I
> won't ever go out again without carrying it...
> >
> >
>

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Received on Thu Sep 9 18:20:17 2004