MSR Miox

While killing time yesterday between the dentist and a trip to McDonald's for the kids (I know...) we stopped at Dick's Sporting Goods just to wander a bit.

I found a table of discounted merchandise which included the MSR Miox Purifier at a substantial discount.

Having sold off my water filter last year I was in need of a new option and I'd always been interested in playing with this technology which is in use on a much grander scale in some municipal water treatment facilities. I just couldn't resist and had to have it.

Once I got home I pulled the contents of the box out onto the counter and examined the instructions. Impressive, the instructions are printed in about 10 different languages. Good to know that I can reduce the overall size of the package immediately. There is the Miox purifier, a container of test strips, and a bag of rock salt stuffed into a mesh MSR bag.

The whole kit must only weigh half a pound. Pretty impressive considering the volume of water it will purify.

Operation of this unit couldn't be much easier. You add salt to the "salt chamber," an aptly named piece, and then wet it with some of the water you're going to purify. Unscrew the salt chamber and add water to the base of the unit. It only takes a few drops. Screw on the cap and give the whole unit a shake or three. Remove the cap again and press the button--once for 1/2L up to 4 times for 2L of water. Keep the unit clear of your face and eyes as the Miox process creates a chemical that is bad for your eyes. Once the unit is done processing you simply pour the liquid into your water, give it a shake, and wait the appropriate amount of time.

You can use the test strips to determine whether or not you need an additional dose of Miox also.

I can't wait to get this out into the woods for a more thorough test. We'll see how it does on that stream water.

Thanks for reading,


B