Katadyn Base Camp Filter

This has been our filter of choice the last 4 years, and we have three different Katadyn water filter models to choose from. We find that the ease of use and amount of water we require(a lot) makes this a great filter for our needs. We are still using the same filter cartridge after over 55 days of accumulated use. We do have a coffee filter and recently a piece of stocking hose added to the exterior of the cartridge. This undoubtedly has extended its life. We also tend to take our water from off shore in the canoe and fill the Base Camp Filter with a cooking pot. We then hang it on a line between two trees at camp for the gravity needed to get a good flow into a chosen water container.



Their has been a issue for some in the months of July and beginning of August which Katadyn called the "Red Algae", slowing filtering down after as little as 4-8 gallons of water. While Katadyn has admitted the issue and offers a replacement filter for those who report the problem, they have been very slow or non-responsive to SOLVING the issue for those canoe tripping during those weeks. I have asked if they would be willing to offer for sale filter sheets for drinking water which block down to 20 microns (the Red Algae is reported to be 23 microns and above). Sarah (A nice customer rep for Katadyn) has indicated her boss has sent this request to headquarters in Switzerland for review. So nothing for now.


If you canoe trip during the months of July and early August, you need to be aware of the issues with this system. Our canoe tripping is typically before and after those dates, we are still operating with our original filter and are very happy with this filter.


I will be much happier if Katadyn becomes pro-active and offers a real workable solution. Otherwise, if you trip during the time of the Red Algae you need to consider the merits of a field cleanable system - which Katadyn presently does not offer, hmmmm.


At the end of a season we run a gallon of tap water with 6 OZ of bleach thru it and allow the cartridge to dry before storing for next season.

Boppa.

We used one of these with a group of 4 last year. Worked well, but we noticed a sharp reduction in flow after nine days of use. We didn't think to use a prefilter - probably would have made a difference.

Used last year for the first time, won't be the last. Easy to use, light and very fast. I wrapped the filter cartridge with a paper coffee filter before using and it kept the filter looking brand new. Wish it didn't cost so much.

Such a convenient water filter for groups or lounging base campers. Just fill and drip. Only negative is it filters a little slower than I'd like to see for a gravity filter. It is our filter of choice for 3 or more!

I use this in conjuction with Hiker Pro. On move use Hiker Pro at camp use base filter.
They take the same filter. I would put a pre-filter around the orignal as someone else posted, as will extend life of main filter (coffee filter with rubber bands or panty hose)
Otherwise the filter may plug pre-maturely and you will cuss the slow drip, drip, drip you get as oppossed to a good flow. We take colapsable water containment for catching water out of base camp hose. So fill it, hang it up, and let it fill the container. We take different size water container for around camp depending on groups size 1gl, 2 gal, or 5 gallon and then have it drip or run right into these "pure water collapsable holding tanks"
I love it.
SunCatcher

After using this system, I would never use anything else unless there was an improvement to this model. I use it attached to a pulley and tie it off high enough to reach the shot-off. I tie a rope around the tree trunk with an MSR Dromo bag atachted to a 2" ring and caribiners on both ends of the Dromo. Then I clip the Dromo to fill it up, and the spigot is on the bottom. Super easy to fill your bottles and get water for cooking. It is the best system I have used.

We've been using one of these for the past few years and had great results. Easy to use and so far no trouble with filters.

Love this unit. Used it for the first time last year for a large group

We love this system. We experimented with many styles of pumps and are quite happy with them, but we base camp and nothing compares to the ease and quantity of water this unit produces. We use hand pumps and and boca bottles on fishing trips and sight seeing excursions but at home we use the base camp bag hung in the cool shade. We generally have a pail we use to gather the water and fill the bag. I would give it a ten but the filter did not last as long as I expected.

I bought one for a friend for his birthday on the hope that it would be better than pumping which we've done for years. I now know this is THE filter to get! Get it going overnight and you'll have enough drinking water for 2-4 people...all day. Go fishing instead of pumping.

Couldn't be easier to use, fill it up, hang it and let gravity do all the work.

I really love this filter. It's my most borrowed piece of equipment. I have not had the plugging issues others have mentioned. I do make sure I get the water out in the lake, and when I get home (or it's returned) I backwash it with a bleach solution and let it dry fully before storing.

Worked good for a couple days and dried to a trickle. Disappointed and was put off by customer service.

Fantastic filter. Works great and is as easy as; fill the bag, fold the top flap and hang it in a tree. It has a clasp at the top of the filter bag that you can connect it to any branch around camp. No pumping and no work to get your water filtered. The only negative to it is that you have to replace the filter from time to time, they do usually last a trip or two. Depends on how many are in your group.

This is a great product, but one needs to be aware of a few things before purchasing and using. As previously stated, One needs to collect as clean of water as possible to put in this bag. One also needs to make an attemp at covering the filter element with some type of prefilter mat'l i.e coffee filter or other small meshed screen. Unlike a pump filter that you can wrap a coffee filter over the intake bulb, the gravity filter exposes the actual filter cartridge to all elements that you put in the water bag. I had much better luck with this filter in Woodland Caribou Provincial Park than in the BWCAW. This may have been timing, but I doubt it, as my new element plugged in the BWCAW in May, and water flowed freely all through a trip in WCPP in August. Another thing... a filter cartridge will plug easier in the gravity bag than in a pump filter. A filter that has failed in the gravity bag can then be used in a hiker or hiker pro pump filter to extend the life of the cartridge.
Collecting water is somewhat of a pain. If you collect from shore, it's easiest with two people. One to hold the bag, and one to fill it with a kettle. Trying to scoop water with the bag will only get you more debris that will plug your filter.
I usually tie the bag up with a strap around a tree, high enough so the hose end is a couple inches off the ground. I then lay a 6 liter MSR bladder on the ground (a bladder will fill to the top without overflowing if the fill end is slightly higher. Since the ground is slightly elevated at the base of the tree anyway, this works well.) and place the filter hose end in the bladder spout. I can then do other camp chores while keeping an eye on the bladder. Once full, I then hang the bladder for all to use to fill their personal water containers.
Overall, I prefer the gravity system over pumping. During the day, I just dip in the lake and usually don't need a pump besides. If I do need a pump, someone else has usually got one. I hope that Katadyn addresses the issue and makes a prescreen to fit over the actual water filter element. This would be a big plus for their sales of their gravity filter.

Worked great for a few days then stopped. Buy the Sawyer

Purchased it for a five day trip in May. I tested it at home before I used it in the field and I'm glad I did. I was surprised that with a gallon of clean tap water it only filled 3/4 of a cup after 45 minutes. This is not what I would or should have expected from a Katadyne product. I returned it that same night and purchased a Platypus instead. The Platypus worked as advertised and without a hiccup.

I love this filter. I have the 6L model and it has a fast flow that makes filling up water bottles a fast easy process. Easy to clean and I have had no clogs or slowing of flow with minimal maintenance over many trips.

I love this filter. I have the 6L model and it has a fast flow that makes filling up water bottles a fast easy process. Easy to clean and I have had no clogs or slowing of flow with minimal maintenance over many trips.

Plugs up very easy and can be irritating!