Just saw MSR launched a new gravity filter.

https://www.msrgear.com/blog/guardian-gravity-purifier-guide/

If I recall correctly the pump model that filtered viruses was $350 when it came out. With all the usage the our lakes and rivers are getting we might be moving towards needing a virus filter. I don't care for the manual, but the gravity at $250 seems like quite a deal. Thanks for sharing.

It's less important than the filter media, but I doubt the carbon lasts as long as the filter and doesn't renew with a backflush like the filter does. Obviously it depends on the quality of the water passing through it, but in such a small package, I wonder how much carbon is really there and how long it is until it loses its effectiveness. At $190 just for the replacement filter, that is a very expensive filter to have to replace especially if the carbon ends-up being the limiting factor. *shrug* BWCA isn't really the intended market for it anyway.

Viruses and heavy metals aren't a concern here, so a 0.02 micron filter with extras is vast overkill, and I say that as someone who built his own 10 liter gravity system with a Sawyer 0.02 and a Katadyn carbon canister to appease a paranoid girlfriend. I'm fine with keeping the carbon canister as it is cheap and easy to open it and replace the carbon unlike the MSR, but when my filter dies, it is getting replaced with a 0.1 filter.

Seems like something for big groups in places where water quality is really questionable... For my thinking, it's way more than I need or would want to carry in canoe country.

MSR did take their time developing this. Expensive for sure, just like anything built to MilSpec (ever look at an military XGK EX, twice the cost of a civilian). As mschi points out the carbon portion is the limiter yet still does 3000+ liters the filter portion itself is very similar to the Saywer filter, yet with a purge/flush system in the filter itself. I did get to try a pump Guardian about 5 years ago. That flowed very fast and the extra plumbing was a constant back flushing ingredient to the pump.
May be overkill but some do that anyway. I still have a lot of use to squeeze outa my MSR Trail Base convertible filter.

butthead

I have the Guardian pump and really like it. It’s heavier than any of my other systems, so I only take it when I’m either double portaging or going somewhere I’m worried about viruses. The charcoal filter is an interesting addition. REI says it it’s under 19 oz, which is not bad for a group filtration setup.

I wonder how well this back flush system works. I’ve had some challenges with clogged gravity filters where I couldn’t back flush by gravity. I usually bring a syringe for those times. It sure would be great to just pop open that hose and not have to fiddle with flipping the filter around and all that.

Sounds like it is definitely something to be considered for foreign trips outside of North America.

I'll be watching this one. Companies providing larger bags like this 10L design is a good move for bigger groups. I just got a 6L Platypus system for our men's basecamp trips and thought that was already a big step up.

The million $$ question is, will it work up in the BWCA.. Had a tripping partner go out and buy one of the Katadyn ones only to plug in the first 5min and become useless due to the type of water up there..

cycle003: "I have the Guardian pump and really like it. It’s heavier than any of my other systems, so I only take it when I’m either double portaging or going somewhere I’m worried about viruses. The charcoal filter is an interesting addition. REI says it it’s under 19 oz, which is not bad for a group filtration setup.


I wonder how well this back flush system works. I’ve had some challenges with clogged gravity filters where I couldn’t back flush by gravity. I usually bring a syringe for those times. It sure would be great to just pop open that hose and not have to fiddle with flipping the filter around and all that."

When I looked and used the Guardian the MSR rep performed this integrity test. The unit was/is impressive but I still have a First Need Purifier and extra filter.

butthead

The integrity test is one of my favorite features of the Guardian pump. I usually toss out my gravity filters after a couple seasons because I start worrying about integrity. There were some test dyes that people have used, but most of them are cheap to replace.

spud: "The million $$ question is, will it work up in the BWCA.. Had a tripping partner go out and buy one of the Katadyn ones only to plug in the first 5min and become useless due to the type of water up there.. "

Not just the type of water, but the type of filter (not hollow fiber) and lack of ability to maintain in the field. Both of those things apply to the old katadyn filters (may be different now) but not the MSR Guardian. I'm sure it will work in the BW.

I made my own gravity filter with a water reservoir, tubing, clamp and sawyer filter. It cost about $30 and works great. I have used it for years, just having to replace the filter regularly