Gravity Water Filter Comparison (MSR vs. Katadyn vs. Platypus)

Gravity water filters are a great way to filter water in volume fast, and efficiently while hunting or backpacking. In this video we took a moment to point of some of the key features from the Katadyn, MRS, and Platypus Gravity Filters. Kendall has years of experience using these filters and lays out some tips for getting clean water in the backcountry.
Learn all about the best gravity water filter for your hunt and pick up a few tips to filter water right. Whether it's the MSR water filter or the Platypus water filter for hiking, we'll walk you through each one and what makes them a good option.
Shop Water Filters on BlackOvis.com: www.blackovis.com/camping/hyd...
Shop Katadyn gravity water filters on BlackOvis.com: www.blackovis.com/camping/hyd...
0:00 - Intro
1:14 - Key Features
4:08 - KATADYN GRAVITY BEFREE MICROFILTER WATER FILTER - www.blackovis.com/katadyn-gra...
9:41 - MSR AUTOFLOW XL GRAVITY FILTER 10 LITER
- www.blackovis.com/brands/msr/...
16:37 - PLATYPUS GRAVITYWORKS WATER FILTER SYSTEM - www.blackovis.com/brands/plat...
22:19 - Conclusion - www.blackovis.com/camping/hyd... Shop at BlackOvis.com
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[@barbarahultman5450]

Thank you so much for demonstrating all these systems. Very helpful when trying to decide which way to go!

[@racher94]

Awesome video, thanks so much. Excited to try my Pladypus 4L!

[@BlackOvis]

Hope you enjoy it! Thanks for watching!

[@keithkester8574]

The platypus 4L is my go to, super convenient for both my base camp and backcountry hunts. Thanks for the content!

[@BlackOvis]

Right on! Thanks for sharing!

[@darrenhart8151]

I have the Platypus, and like it a lot, both the MSR and the Platypus have external filters, which is a benefit. The Katadyn, on the other hand, has the output of the filter exposed to the unfiltered water when you dunk the bag. So the only way use the Katadyn is to attach the hose and try to hold it above water level as you fill it. The Platypus is probably the only one that won't add a nasty plastic taste to the water. Thanks for the comparison!

[@BlackOvis]

Thank for sharing! You have some solid points!

[@michaeltubbs2493]

Great video great review thanks for the info that you for sharing!

[@BlackOvis]

Thanks for watching!

[@Richard-wz9uh]

Been using the Platy for 3 years and love it. I have the 6L system and mine came with the adapter for wide mouth adapter which I use extensively. All work well. The back flush is a great option for when you need to clean the filter in the field.

[@BlackOvis]

Thanks for sharing! Glad you've enjoyed it!

[@2ndamendment176]

The only thing that I would add to your reviews is a TDS test of the water before and after.

[@charles1606]

Very Very Good Presentation!

[@BlackOvis]

Glad you liked it!

[@rickw4160]

Be careful on cross contamination. The katadyn has the filter inside. The others have filters externally. When you dip the katadyn bag, the quick connect portion is in contaminated water. When you reconnect the line, your supposed to get clean water, but your actually running clean water past the contaminated quick connect. This only affect in bag filters. The fix to this is to keep the clean line connected, or to use a cup to scoop water into the bag, or to use some clean fresh water to wash off the area.

[@BlackOvis]

Thanks for point that out! Thanks definitely something to keep in mind!

[@jimf1964]

That’s literally like 1ml of water. Just how bad is your water?

[@mikemorgan5015]

@@jimf1964 Someone doesn't understand how bacteria, protozoa, and viruses work.......... How many ml of fluid in a droplet of a sneeze from a sick person?

[@ricdonato4328]

Oops, an all-too-common mistake, "... your supposed..." and "... but your actually ..." should be you are, or you're. When spoken your and you're sound the same. When writing your and you're both have completely different meanings and usages, they are neither similar nor interchangeable. When writing your that which follows belongs to the person you are writing too. Hope this helps you and others.

[@mikemorgan5015]

@@ricdonato4328 Waste of time grammar nazi. BTW, I refuse to capitalize that, though I do forget from time to time. Welcome to KZbin comments though. You're going to find that your comments are not only ineffective, but you're actually taking away from the discourse. So no, your comment doesn't help. Do you think people get on here to have their writing scrutinized? If so, you're wrong. Full disclosure, I used to do the same thing. But after somenone pointed out that everyone understood the comments intent, I quit being "that guy". Because this is an international forum, there are exceptions, of course. For instance if a comment says, "Sory four mi Ingrish. not fist langrage of me. pleez anarise the riving chit of my word to help lern me." Feel free, in cases like this, to bring your wildest wet dreams of perfect grammar, spelling, and usage to life! Now that I've wasted even more of your time than your comment wasted of mine, I can move on without regret. Have a super amazing weekend. I hope you get a life for Christmas. Don't take me too seriously, this was for entertainment value for others too. A dual purpose post, if you will.

[@richmurphy1787]

Seems like a fast and convenient solution to the pump. But the two issues I might see in the places that I go is shallow streams you’ll be kicking up a lot of silt, so lack of volume of water and a lot of silt it would pick up.

[@thatdamguy00]

Great review, I went with the Katadyn because it does everything I need in a filtration system and was almost half the price of the platypus when I purchased it.

[@BlackOvis]

Thanks for watching! What's your thoughts on the Katadyn so far?

[@thatdamguy00]

@@BlackOvis I like it, easy to use filter that doesn't take very long to fill up your containers.

[@hemingwaysbrett]

About to do Paria Canyon at end of October. This video helped me decide on what filtration system to bring. My biggest question is … where could I get this plumbing hose? If I’m searching for it. Do I use the term plumbing hose?

[@niminnimin7197]

Very good review... just one question.. all the products killing bacteria..gems..viruses..?? Am new to this but looking for best product out there..

[@alancadieux2984]

Does it make sense to dunk the bag into contaminated water without the hose attached? The place where you are going to hook it up after is"contaminated" if its there 1st, wouldn't it be clean then? Thank-you for demonstrating these. I would probably assemble the set up and use another container to fill it to avoid things like losing ahold of it in a current, potential damage, or contamination of the hose hookup point.

[@jamesvickery308]

I use the 6L Membrane Solutions gravity filter. The 0.1 microns is superior for filtration. Also, the WS-02 filter element can be used as a straw filter. Also, you can buy refills for WS-02 straw.

[@simpurelife]

So happy to know that you like it❤

[@jimf1964]

My biggest concern is the filter itself, when it comes to handling dirty water. I recently bought an "alternative" to the big companies. It had a charcoal pre-filter for water with an off taste. It would work really well for about a bag and a half (9L) and then start to slow down and stop because of particulates in the water. Back flushing every time I used it was a total pain in the butt. Does anyone have any input on how well any of these handle water with lots of stuff suspended in it, and also how easy they are to clean?

[@jacobnelson2051]

Would I be able to connect a Sawyer filter in place of the inline filters?

[@raynetrunner2868]

Hey, really nice bag comparison, easy to follow & understand ..thanks QUESTION: a few filters, such as the MSR guardian say that ..once you innitially get their filter wet ..you then have to at least keep it in damp storage & never let their filter completely dry out. My wife & I are putting a “survival cabinet” together that we hope to never need. We have a 2 acre pond. That said, regardless of the brand we buy, I’d like to try out filtering a liter or two before the filter rig goes into deep storage. Ideally I’d like to test it, then dry it out (or what ever) & just pack it and forget about it. But the guardian says that during prolonged storage it’s filter must be periodically checked to maintain dampness. So ..is it anyone’s experience that ALL brands of filters or systems would also need to ‘stay damp, once damp’ ? And ..can anyone comment regarding “filter shelf live” if there is such a thing? We hope to never need one, but if we do it needs to work from storage ..hopefully without periodic maintenance. Thanks in advance, Ray

[@raynetrunner2868]

Got my answer! Had a long talk with MSR guardian tech support. They said that their instruction ‘never to let their filter dry out’ was more-so to ensure the longevity of the filter ..but it’s not always necessary to keep the filter damp. That instruction is an effort to protect ‘lazy users’. Users that don’t clean & back flush filters ..especially when their distant last use was in muddy or murky water. If back wash maintenance on a dirty filter is neglected & the filter is then stored for a prolonged period ..then yes it will eventually dry out ..& the impacted particulate will congeal and essentually turn to a solid, with little hope of reviving the filter at a later date. So ..if we’re reasonable about staying away from running mucky water & also clean & back flush after use, they say that even if the filter should dry between uses, there shouldn’t be a problem. I’m sure this makes good horse sense with anyones brand.

[@raynetrunner2868]

BTW ..my concerns & discussions were regarding their MSR 10L bag filter. I’d guess the same would also apply to their guardian hand pump style as well.

[@BlackOvis]

Hey Ray! Sorry about the delayed response! Glad you got it figured out. Let us know if you have any other questions!

[@rickw4160]

@@raynetrunner2868 the gravity is not freeze safe. The pump is

[@timellis7322]

Can you use the MSR filter with the Platypus?

[@LousyFIBs]

I have a plastic bag that looks similar to the Katadyn. The water tastes like an inflatable pool toy. Does that taste ever go away? Is it even noticeable in the Katadyn?

[@user-ud8hn7ef7j]

Haven't tried any of the systems yet. What do you do about added filtering for viruses?

[@watchman9198]

You have to buy specific filters for virus’s. It’s about double the price but worth not getting sick

[@jasondunbar3667]

Does the platypus filter taste?

[@richardhenry1969]

I think the best one I’ve seen is the aquamira pressurized hydration reservoir. Really can’t beat the setup can’t say how long it will last so far so good.

[@_Spacecraft]

With any of these gravity water filters, can they handle dirty, soapy water from cleaning dishes? I'd like to recycle as much water as possible when I'm out boondocking.

[@larryjanson4011]

how about listing the pints, quarts, gallons. for us dumb Americans. metric only is of no use to much of the United States of America.

[@olbaid84]

Just have to know a liter is about a quart and go from there

[@jimf1964]

Yes, a litre and a quart are pretty close to the same size.

[@mementomori6830]

My Katadyn Camp bag failed me after only using it five (5) times it started leaking from the bottom seal, I can not see any visible holes, this was the older model. Very disappointed! Then I went and read some reviews on the newer model Katadyn Camp Bag and there were several people who reported getting giardiasis! So now I have to make a decision on getting a whole new large quantity filtration bag! These bags come in handy for cooking and filling up your Camel Baks or other brand name water bladders. Katadyn use to be a name I can trust. Now I'm worried about using my Katadyn water pump!