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Platypus GravityWorks High-Capacity Water Filter System
Editor’s Conclusion
The Platypus GravityWorks water filter is perfect for getting clean drinking water for families or groups. Fill up the filtration bag, hang it up and let gravity do the rest.
In around one minute this produces 1.75 liters of safe drinking water.
The unique filtration system works through hollow fiber technology and each filter is good for treating around 1500 liters. This is a hands-free filtration system, dip it into the water, hang it up, and let the Platypus perform, no crouching over river banks, no squeezing or pumping needed.
Platypus has cornered the water filtration market with a fast, effective water filtration system that requires little effort to use. There is a 2-liter option for two people, for 4-5 people the 4-liter model, and even a 6-liter option for larger groups.
In around one minute this produces 1.75 liters of safe drinking water.
The unique filtration system works through hollow fiber technology and each filter is good for treating around 1500 liters. This is a hands-free filtration system, dip it into the water, hang it up, and let the Platypus perform, no crouching over river banks, no squeezing or pumping needed.
Platypus has cornered the water filtration market with a fast, effective water filtration system that requires little effort to use. There is a 2-liter option for two people, for 4-5 people the 4-liter model, and even a 6-liter option for larger groups.
Editor's Pros & Cons
Pros
User friendly
Works via gravity
Does not require squeezing or pumping (hands free system)
Very quick filtration 4 liters in 2.5 minutes
Requires minimal maintenance
Hollow fiber tech for filtration
Light and easy to carry
Durable
Price friendly
Cons
Little tricky when encountering very shallow restrictive water sources
Key Features
Specs
11.5 oz. (326 g) Weight
3.25 Width x 9.5 Length
Hollow fiber filter
0.2-micron filter
1.75 liters around 1 minute
1500 liters filter life
Filters Particulates, Bacteria, and Protozoa
Does not filter viruses, toxins-chemicals
Easy Set-up
For ease, the entire kit fits into a carry pouch and can be slipped into a backpack. The overall weight sits at 11.05 ounces.
Assembly is straightforward, just match the color-coded fittings.
With a separate reservoir for dirty water, a tube connects it to the filtration cartridge and another tube connects to the clean water reservoir.
This is easy to fill, just submerge it in water or skim the water surface. If the water is shallow use a cup to top up the filtration bag. When full, tie the bag to a hanging branch, connect it to the filtration hose, release the clamp and watch the water flow down through the filtration cartridge. Around 2.5 minutes later the clean bag will be holding four liters of fresh water, good for cooking.
There is no need to squeeze or pump, just allow the force of gravity to do the job. While the water is being filtered, you are free to do other tasks. Simplicity is the key, large volumes of water quickly, this is a very efficient alternative to the majority of water filters on the market. This product is impressive for filtering water to carry. User feedback points out, it is easy to carry water in a dirty bag. Store it in your backpack hydration sleeve and filter it later.
The water is filtered through a network of hollow fibers, filtration is fast and this means large amounts of water quickly for a family-sized group. The filter sits mid-way between the upper dirty water bag and the lower clean water bag.
Designed to EPA/NSF standards, this will filter out 99.9% of all protozoa's and 99.9999% of all water-born bacteria's. Impressively this system catches and filters cholera, salmonella, E. coli, cryptosporidium, and giardia. This and other filter systems will not catch and filter viruses. If you are sourcing water and feel suspicious of the quality, filter the water and boil it.
Maintenance + storage
Platypus advises regular back-flushing to keep the system clear and effective. If you notice performance dropping, back-flush and this will bring the filter back to full performance. Unlike a range of other filter systems, no extra equipment is needed to reverse flush the water filtration cartridge, the procedure is quick and easy.
Storage is very easy, simply wrap the two tubes around the filter, follow this by wrapping around the two bags. These parts then slide into the carry pouch, it really is user-friendly and easy to pack away. When you balance weight and storage against the volume of clean water production, the trade-off is very good.
Weighing around 11 ounces, this is heavier than a lot of other available systems but in return, you get large amounts of clean water. No need for pumping or squeezing while crouched over a stream. The fact that you can also use one or both bags for carrying extra water, outweighs any points about the Platypus being a little heavier than other water cleaning systems.
Summing up, the Platypus GravityWorks is exceptionally easy to use, Maintenance is simple and this model produces lots of clean water very quickly without needing hands-on involvement. There are two group models to choose from, the 4 or 6-liter version.
11.5 oz. (326 g) Weight
3.25 Width x 9.5 Length
Hollow fiber filter
0.2-micron filter
1.75 liters around 1 minute
1500 liters filter life
Filters Particulates, Bacteria, and Protozoa
Does not filter viruses, toxins-chemicals
Easy Set-up
For ease, the entire kit fits into a carry pouch and can be slipped into a backpack. The overall weight sits at 11.05 ounces.
Assembly is straightforward, just match the color-coded fittings.
With a separate reservoir for dirty water, a tube connects it to the filtration cartridge and another tube connects to the clean water reservoir.
This is easy to fill, just submerge it in water or skim the water surface. If the water is shallow use a cup to top up the filtration bag. When full, tie the bag to a hanging branch, connect it to the filtration hose, release the clamp and watch the water flow down through the filtration cartridge. Around 2.5 minutes later the clean bag will be holding four liters of fresh water, good for cooking.
There is no need to squeeze or pump, just allow the force of gravity to do the job. While the water is being filtered, you are free to do other tasks. Simplicity is the key, large volumes of water quickly, this is a very efficient alternative to the majority of water filters on the market. This product is impressive for filtering water to carry. User feedback points out, it is easy to carry water in a dirty bag. Store it in your backpack hydration sleeve and filter it later.
The water is filtered through a network of hollow fibers, filtration is fast and this means large amounts of water quickly for a family-sized group. The filter sits mid-way between the upper dirty water bag and the lower clean water bag.
Designed to EPA/NSF standards, this will filter out 99.9% of all protozoa's and 99.9999% of all water-born bacteria's. Impressively this system catches and filters cholera, salmonella, E. coli, cryptosporidium, and giardia. This and other filter systems will not catch and filter viruses. If you are sourcing water and feel suspicious of the quality, filter the water and boil it.
Maintenance + storage
Platypus advises regular back-flushing to keep the system clear and effective. If you notice performance dropping, back-flush and this will bring the filter back to full performance. Unlike a range of other filter systems, no extra equipment is needed to reverse flush the water filtration cartridge, the procedure is quick and easy.
Storage is very easy, simply wrap the two tubes around the filter, follow this by wrapping around the two bags. These parts then slide into the carry pouch, it really is user-friendly and easy to pack away. When you balance weight and storage against the volume of clean water production, the trade-off is very good.
Weighing around 11 ounces, this is heavier than a lot of other available systems but in return, you get large amounts of clean water. No need for pumping or squeezing while crouched over a stream. The fact that you can also use one or both bags for carrying extra water, outweighs any points about the Platypus being a little heavier than other water cleaning systems.
Summing up, the Platypus GravityWorks is exceptionally easy to use, Maintenance is simple and this model produces lots of clean water very quickly without needing hands-on involvement. There are two group models to choose from, the 4 or 6-liter version.
Comparisons
When compared to other systems, this one produces more water quickly, requiring little effort and minimal but regular maintenance through back-washing. The capacity to carry more reserve water in the dirty and clean bag means more liters than other systems.
With the Platypus, you get three options, a 2-liter version for one or two people or the 4 and 6-liter systems for families or groups. These three options put this product ahead of many other filtering systems.
Though the older style pump systems are better at getting at the water in restricted access places, the Platypus is very effective for submerging or skimming an inch or so deep along the surface of the water. If the water source is restrictive then it is a case of dipping in a cup to fill up the platypus. With a 4 liter capacity, this can be time consuming when compared to a pump filter system.
The setup may appear bulky because of the two-bag system. But, hanging up a bag and letting gravity do the work is easier than crouching over water while pumping or squeezing a bottle.
Squeeze bag filters are lighter than this model and easier to pack away though user feedback suggests it is not difficult to find a pouch on a backpack that can accommodate the Platypus.
This product compares better to other options in terms of performance, reliability, ease of use, and the sheer volume of clean water which can easily be produced very quickly.
With the Platypus, you get three options, a 2-liter version for one or two people or the 4 and 6-liter systems for families or groups. These three options put this product ahead of many other filtering systems.
Though the older style pump systems are better at getting at the water in restricted access places, the Platypus is very effective for submerging or skimming an inch or so deep along the surface of the water. If the water source is restrictive then it is a case of dipping in a cup to fill up the platypus. With a 4 liter capacity, this can be time consuming when compared to a pump filter system.
The setup may appear bulky because of the two-bag system. But, hanging up a bag and letting gravity do the work is easier than crouching over water while pumping or squeezing a bottle.
Squeeze bag filters are lighter than this model and easier to pack away though user feedback suggests it is not difficult to find a pouch on a backpack that can accommodate the Platypus.
This product compares better to other options in terms of performance, reliability, ease of use, and the sheer volume of clean water which can easily be produced very quickly.
Verdict
The design is so productive and user-friendly to the point that for groups, this water filtration system is in a class of its own.
Relative to weight and portability, the Platypus outperforms other options, more water with much less effort and very easy maintenance.
For those who trek the backcountry in a group and have been using pump systems, try this one. Just fill the bag, hang it on a branch and let gravity do all the work.
With three versions available and each model set at a reasonable price when factoring in what you get in return, this is a must-have for groups out hiking in the middle of nowhere.
Relative to weight and portability, the Platypus outperforms other options, more water with much less effort and very easy maintenance.
For those who trek the backcountry in a group and have been using pump systems, try this one. Just fill the bag, hang it on a branch and let gravity do all the work.
With three versions available and each model set at a reasonable price when factoring in what you get in return, this is a must-have for groups out hiking in the middle of nowhere.
$101.43See Deal 