Steripen

I'm thinking about buying a steripen and was wondering if anyone here has had any experience with one or seen one in action. I like the idea of not having to pump and I figured it would be a good loan to my brother when he goes to Africa next month. Anyways, just wanted to see if y'all had any thoughts about it.

http://www.ula-equipment.com/amigo.htm

I just purchased this. I think it will be a great alternative to pumping on the trail. I have only tried it in the backyard.. for now I like it.. Lew

I think I would stay with a more proven way of treating water for him. There have been reports of problems on the trails with them and Africia is a long way from REI to get something else. The Red Cross has sent several back to the company. Here are a few questions for you...Has he been before or is this his 1st trip? Will he be in one place or will he be on the move? If he already has a methodod for treating water and you just want him to take it and try it thats ok. I would not put all my trust in it alone. Always have a backup way of doing this. If I was going to be on the move I would stay with a good pump. If I was going to be in one place I would go with my gravity filter from Katadyn. Figg

Unlike here in the U.S., the water in Africa is often contaminated with viruses. Most water there is treated with both a filter and then with a viral treatment, be it a few drops of chlorine bleach or chlorine dioxide tablets. There is also a 4-hour lag time between the time the water is first treated and the time in which the water is actually ready to be used.
The biggest problem with the SteriPen is that the water must be clean, with no silt or otherwise cloudy deposit in it. This greatly reduces the effectiveness of the UV treatment of the water.
If you want to get him something that is effective in treating water found in third world countries, then something like this below has shown to be effective, but you have to get the whole system, including the virus inactivator.
http://www.msrgear.com/watertreatment/sweetpure.asp
Hope your brother has a great time,
UL

Let me clarify that I will be the main user and it would just be something for him to try out. And I mainly hike in the Ozarks. Steripen makers claim that it does kill viruses along with bacteria and protozoa . They also have a prefilter that fits into the mouth of a nalgene to filter out larger particles. My bro went to the same places last year. He said they have clean water in S. Africa and the school and missionaries' home in Mozambique both have purifiers. He did tell me that he had to use iodine tablets once. But again, it is primarily going to be used in AR.

I have had to get water from some less than desireable mudpuddles. Keeping floaties, silt, mud out of the water would have been inpossible with the Steripen.

Scientifically, I don't have a problem with them, but from a practical standpoint, it just won't work for me.