Katadyn Combi Microfilter

I finally bought the Combi after agonizing over this vs the more rugged looking Katadyn Pocket. In the end, I decided to go with the Combi mostly for the convenience of the built in activated charcoal module. Having everything in one unit seemed preferable for the long term. And, I'm happy with the purchase. The specs for both are essentially the same except for the included charcoal part inside the Combi (changing the charcoal is very easy too).This thing is rock solid and should last a lifetime. We travel with it constantly - trying to do our part for the environment when we can rather than buying bottled water all the time.It's about the size of a large pepper mill and a little heavier. It's really a remarkable unit and well designed. I find it's easy to clean and has very few parts to it. The instructions are straightforward and it pumps out clean water very quickly. I haven't timed myself but I think it's about 1 liter every 60-90 seconds. I can probably do a gallon in about 5-minutes and it's really very easy to pump. The top is formed to fit your hand well so that helps significantly with the pumping.I'll update this review if we run into any issues but so far the Combi is a winner.

I purchased this filter on amazon around 2012 and use it regularly. In that time i can testify to being way out in the woods and really needing it to work. I combine the use of this filter along with some msr sweetwater germ killer (i add about 3 drops per liter and wait 15 minutes) with this setup, i have filtered wet mud puddles, almost dry creek beds, and all kinds of lakes with beaver sign. Sometimes right next to a tree that was chewed down by a beaver. Where some of my companions might not be confident looking at muddyish water, i go right to it with confidence. I can say this, im careful with how i treat water, and my friends and i often talk about safe water practices while out there and we take it seriously. I have never once had a bad taste or even the slightest sickness using this kit. If you appreciate things that are servicable as opposed to replacable, this is the robust filter you are looking for. You could stop reading here or if you are obsessed with gear performance, feel free to read on for entertainment.You learn as you go with almost anything so i want to speak of three instances where i almost made my filter inoperable but by the design of the combi filter, i was able to recover and make the filter operable once again. Here are some mistakes i almost paid for but the combi didnt let me down:First, i have the connection points to pump directly into a camel bladder but, one time i had the valve closed on the camel bladder when i started pumping. Obviously something didnt feel right but i just kept pumping like a tired dummy. What resulted was a contained explosion of the carbon sand within the upper chamber of the filter. THE FIX: i simply took the filter apart and was able to clear it. I lost a portion of the carbon but was nowhere close to catastrophic failure.Number 2: i forgot to purge the filter after using and the water inside the filter froze on a night of around 15 degrees F (this could have really been bad with ice expansion). The following day, i go to pump and realize its clogged (luckily not broken). Again, i was able to clear it by removing ice from each of the compartments. All compartments were accessible with finessing. This was scary but sure enough it started pumping again.Number 3: unbeknownst to me, upon purging excess water from the filter, i broke and lost the o-ring on the upper seal of the ceramic element. There was not a spare oring of this size in the spare parts kit but they did include a larger diameter oring. To make a long story shorter, i was technically able to make a field repair with the larger oring by using diagonal cuts to trim it to size, then using super glue (from my first aid kit) to bond the larger surface area of the diagonally cut ends. The makeshift oring had a small lump but i was able to ease it back into the filter housing and make the filter do its job once again.I have since invested in the propper replacement oring and i also now carry a full set of combi orings that were sold in a kit for about $10In summation, this filter weighs a good bit more than some. However, because of how robust it is, and how field servicable it is, i find that it's weight also provides security. Im getting pack weight down slowly but this brick is in there to stay.

I was leery about purchasing this because of how expensive it was but it's worth it. I bought this for my bug out bag and have used it on numerous hikes. It is very compact and light weight. I don't have to worry about packing multiple bottles of water as long as there is a stream or lake around my destination. The universal attachment for water bottles fits almost all thread types so you can just screw you bottle to the filter and pump away. I have used it with standard plastic water bottles, camelback grooves, and camelback backpacks and all will screw directly to the pump. Would definitely recommend.

This is a great device, and I give it five stars for what it is and Katadyn's customer service. If you buy this inspect the ceramic filter for cracks. If you see any cracks after the first time you use/clean it, call Katadyn because bacteria can hide in them, or return the product on Amazon and buy another one. Katadyn has great customer support.*UPDATE 4/14/16*I FINALLY had a chance to use this out in the woods. I pumped about 1 liter of clear creek water into a Platypus bladder, and it tasted WONDERFUL. I didn't get sick. Will definitely be testing this every hike this summer. I may not even bring water on the next one and his complete faith in this tool. Buy with confidence.

The Swiss really know how to make a very good water microfilter. The design and warranty last a lifetime (except for the filter element that has a lifespan). Pumping is not a problem. The gauge for checking the filter element is very simple and brilliant. Also, it has an adjustable expiring date button for the activated carbon once you you started using it. The only downside of the unit is it is quite heavy (about 1 to 2 kg), maybe because of the ceramic filter, I suppose. Anyway, this made in Switzerland Katadyn Combi Microfilter will be my main river water filter for my next trip to the Hindu Kush Valleys this May 2014.

I was looking for an emergency/camping water purification system. Earthquakes can suspend normal services so I wanted something that could provide drinking water for a few days. This is perfect. It is portable that I can take it along with a 5 litre bladder to a stream about a block away. I could also leave it at home and bring back a couple of 5 gallon buckets of water and filter at home.This model features both the ceramic and carbon filters. No need to choose between the two, you get both.

Nice, but never used. A natural catastrophe occured and washed it away along with my house. Did me no good, thought I was "preppin'."

I love my big black Combi! Pumps slow but sure, so keep that in mind. I have taken it on a few lengthy trips and it has lasted. I once slipped while jumping with it; I threw the Combi into the air and it landed on a rock... hard. Still functions perfectly.

Den Filter nutze ich im stationären Einsatz. Der Filter an sich tut genau das was der tun soll. Da die mitgelieferte Kohle mittlerweile zuneige ging, habe ich mir jetzt Filterkohlegranulat besorgt das auch sonst für andere Wasserfilter gedacht ist, und nicht das von Katadyn.Jetzt kommt das große aber .....Da der Filter stationär eingesetzt wird, habe ich mir Katadyn mit dem Wasserhahnanschluss mitbestellt. Der Kunststoffadapter für diesen mit dem Umschalter an den Wasserhahn anzuschließen, war nur nach wenigen Monaten kaputt. Da musste dann ein Adapter aus Metall her. Wenn das Wasser durch den Filter läuft und dann durch den Kunststoffständer wo der Katadyn aufgeschraubt ist ( alles Kunststoff ) tritt dort auch immer Wasser aus. Man muss beim aufschrauben aufpasen das man auch hier nicht überdreht sonst ist dort das Kunststoffgewinde auch gleich hin.Ich hätte für diesen Preis schon etwas mehr erwartet, aber sonst an sich ist der Filter ok, ich würde ihn nicht mehr für dne stationären Einsatz im Wohnmobil/wohnung kaufen.

A must have in your bug out back pack. Dont forget to use raw filter before you apply this one - I saw some folks tried to filter water from some dirty puddle (leaves, debris etc). Filter actual water))

this is the first micro filter i've ever used. it was easy to set up and the instructions were clear. disassembly the first time was a little tough, but it got easier afterwards. overall, this seems like a well designed, high quality bit of kit.

Used this summer at the cottage, took water right from the lake, did not get Beaver fever!Make sure you clean and follow instructions, gets dirty inside. But that's the point.

Hoher Druck nötig- mindestens 5Bar, dann bekommt man in ca. 2 Minuten einen Liter Wasser.Geduld nötig, trotzdem gutes Gerät