MSR Miniworks Water Filter
Considered by some to be the best filter value out there in portable water filters. Maybe that’s why it is MSR’s worldwide best-selling microfilter.
I spent a lot of time researching portable water filters before I purchased the MSR Miniworks EX Water Filter. There are a lot of filters on the market and it was not an easy decision. Clean drinking water in my opinion should be everyone’s number one consideration in disaster preparedness (which was my purpose for buying a filter). The first thing I looked for was a filter compact enough to be packed away easily in the event of a bug-out situation. The MSR Miniworks Water filter measures 2.75 in. wide by 7.5 in. long and weighs just one pound. It is slightly heavier than some other filters in it’s class but seems to be very well made. That was my second consideration, it had to be sturdy. While I have not verified this, many other reviews and blogs have stated that this is the filter used by the U.S. marines- need I say more! I have read hundreds of reviews and found very few reports of any breakage or mechanical failures of any kind.
My next consideration was filter pore size. This varied a lot depending on brand and model. The Miniworks EX microfilter uses MSR’s Marathon EX Carbon/ceramic element.
It has a 0.2 micron pore size and filters out virtually all cysts, protozoa and harmful bacteria. It will not however get rid of viruses. This is seldom a problem in North America, but if your traveling abroad or filtering water where sewage might be a concern then chemically treating your water is probably a good idea. Just remember if you are going to treat your water, if you do it first and then filter it, the carbon core of this filter will help get rid of the chemical taste. The MSR Marathon EX element’s carbon core will remove chlorine, iodine and pesticides and and will even help get rid of foul odors.
Filter lifespan was next on my list and and the Miniworks EX is more than adequate. It has an advertised capacity of two thousand liters but many reviewers have reported much better results by simply attaching a coffee filter to the end of the inlet hose with a rubber band or wire tie. By pre-filtering larger particles the element needs less cleaning. Cleaning the element is very simple and is accomplished by simply unscrewing the housing, removing the element, and lightly scrubbing it with the included scrub pad or any kitchen scrub pad. It also comes with a gauge which shows you when the element needs replaced.
My next concern was ease of use and field stripping and maintenance. The MSR Miniworks Water Filter is very easy to disassemble and can be easily maintained in the field with the optional repair kit.
Pumping the handle does take some effort but is not bad if you keep the filter element clean. If your water is very dirty you can expect to clean the element every 2-3 liters. The pump itself will attach directly to a Nalgene bottle and some sports drink bottles and canteens.
Another handy feature is a float on the inlet hose which will keep the inlet out of the silt and sediments at the bottom of your water source. The only negative was the element is fairly fragile so take care when cleaning it. I bought an extra for $30 to be on the safe side. The MSR Miniworks Water Filter gives me peace of mind for around $80.
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MSR Miniworks Water Filter
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Related articles: Wikipedia:” water filtering facts“
