McNett Aquamira Frontier Pro Filter

Despite a lack of reviews when I purchased this unit, I decided to risk the $20 due to its novel design. After a couple of trips, I have to say I'm impressed. I'll be taking the filter with me on future trips.

If you're into ultralight backpacking or simple day hikes, this filter could save you a lot of weight. It screws onto any standard soda/pop/water bottle (think Coke, Sprite, Aquafina, etc.) and you bite/suck through the nozzle (like a CamelBak) to drink; the water is filtered between the bottle and your mouth.

I coupled the filter with a 1.5L Smart Water bottle (available at most grocery stores) due to the Smart Water's unique size/shape combination, which makes it easier to carry and squeeze. The system acted as an excellent backup unit during my trips. I just filled the bottle directly from the water source, screwed on the filter, and drank. Much easier than pumping.

The unit is also supposed to work with the included straw (for drinking directly out of water sources) or with hydration packs (in place of a regular bite valve). I have not tried either configuration, so I can't attest to their effectiveness.

Pros:
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+ Works like it's supposed to
+ Small and very light
+ Low-cost
+ Fits onto any standard soda/pop/water bottle
+ Stretchy silicone/rubber neck keeps cap in place while closed and safely attached while drinking
+ Entire thing floats if accidentally dropped into water
+ Comes with several replacement pre-filters

Cons:
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- Non-replaceable filter cartridge (you can buy a whole new one for $20, but that creates unnecessary garbage)
- Flow rate isn't terribly fast. It feels like a slower CamelBak, and you might have to start squeezing the bottle as it empties.
- Only practical for one person (unless you don't mind sharing)

Things to watch out for:
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* To increase filter life, make sure you use the included pre-filter
* Leaks when used with soft-bodied Platypus bladder-bottles (NOT the same thing as hydration packs; these soft "bottles" are basically small plastic bags with integrated water bottle spouts). The filter screws on, but not tightly enough to create a vacuum seal. This makes drinking very difficult and gets everything wet. I had no such problem with regular, hard-bodied bottles.
* Long-term reliability/flow rate is uncertain due to a lack of reviews.
* This unit does not filter viruses -- no pump/mechanical-action filter does except for the First Need series. You'll need chlorine tablets if this is a concern to you, though it should not be in most North American waters.
* This will not work with Nalgenes (even narrow-mouthed ones), Kleen Kanteens, or SIGGs.

Conclusion:
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All in all, I love this little thing and will be taking it with my as a backup filter for future trips. It's great if you're camping near a water source and don't want to have to keep pumping for drinking water. Just remember what it's designed for: solo drinking out of a dirty water bottle, not group filtration into clean bottles.

This filter is of limited utility because of the large pore size which allows most bacteria and all viruses to get through. It will only strain out particulates, cryptosporidium and giardia. Therefore, you will need to chemically treat the water for at least 15 minutes before you use th filter. The advantage to this filter is that you can chemically treat the water and be able to drink it through the filter without waiting the full 1-4 hours required for the chemicals to kill giardia and cryptosporidium. There is also a way you can convert this filter into a very lightweight gravity filter system using collapsible playpus type water containers and plastic tubing. Do a search on youtube for "jasonklass filter"

Certain products are designed to do certain things. Such as - you would not drive a race car to the local corner store, or back and forth to work. A race car was designed to be on the race track, not the neighborhood streets.

The Aquamira Frontier Pro Water Filter is designed for a certain purpose, and users need to be aware of those purposes and limitations.

The filter will not remove viruses. They have to be killed with chemical treatment.

The filter will not remove certain types of bacteria.

However, it is light wieght, easy to use, has no moving parts to break and is easy to clean.

Instead of drinking the water straight from the stream, you could fill up a water bottle, add some purification tablets, then use this filter to help remove the chemical taste.

I wish the filters removed more bacteria and that replacment filters were avaible. Having to buy a new unit when the filters get dirty is a turn off.

The plastic housing seems kind of weak. Its not made out of a high impact plastic, its more like a cheap plastic that toys are made out of.

If you are on a budget, this might get the job done. But if you can afford a full fledged filter, then go ahead and buy something better.