That Grayl geopress will work longer if you filter the water through your shemagh, or a coffee filter before you put it in the press. It is time to change the filter when it takes 20 seconds to press all the way down as opposed to 8 seconds.. I keep a sawyer mini as a back up. Plus my pot to boil the water..carry some coffee filters with you to pre-filter the water. Fat wood is king .
Or a mill bank bag. I have one especially designed to keep with my Grayl press and a steel cup as well. But like he said when it takes you longer to press it change it. If you pre filter it will last considerably longer. Stay stoked 🤙🇺🇸👍
Fat wood IS king and, in most environments…it’s there more often than not. My wife and I both carry sawyer minis and the life straw is useful if you plan on moving and not needing to heat or purify water. Good stuff.
The Grayl is my "emergency" bottle. I hike with the Sawyers as my heavy lift. Although when I travel the Grayl goes with and filters the local water from the sink. Don't know if it does much h or not and I expect it to last longer as it's not filtering pond water. If it was a through hikers, ( not me) you'd have to switch the filter monthly. Many have done the entire AT with a Sawyer. GRAYL needs to step up the filter game.
I watched a Coalcracker video about making fire starters with women's cotton face pads, paraffin wax, and charcoal fluid. I then keep them in any empty Grizzly dip can. They work like a charm and I have made tons of them. I found this to be the cheapest and easiest way to always have them available.
Just me- I never put any liquid anything on my fire starters if I'm going to pocket or pack carry. Too much booboo potential. If you get petroleum jelly or paraffin on your skin it won't irritate you or cause a rash, or if a volatile liquid would contaminate food items. I had all my gear in a large waterproof foot locker type container for a lengthy trip, and a full container of insect repellent and some stove fuel both leaked and contaminated all gear and clothes and edibles That was my lesson
@@maxpinson5002 When you ride in a car, you're a** is sitting on top of the accelerant (gasoline). Plenty of booboo material there. You need an accelerant to quickly start your fire which is contained in wax and the container, so you are quite safe, unlike liquid insect repellent or even gasoline. Just be careful as we all should do every day, bro.
I love my Grayl. Keep an extra filter in my bag. It's fast, expedient, zero set up time. If you carry a SS canteen and cup like I do, you can filter pour into the canteen, filter and carry additional water in the geo press. I avoid making fire unless I have too, it's time consuming, dirty, and it gives away your location. The grayl eliminates the need to have fire to purify your water. I also keep 12 trioxane fuel bars in my bag. If I need to boil water I can boil a 32oz SS canteen worth of water or a canteen cup worth of water and never have a flicker. Each bar will heat 32oz of water to boiling.
The filter doesn't degrade, it just gets blocked with what it's filtered out. A Millbank bag to fill it will collect a lot of the worse debris before it goes into the Grayl. A Millbank bag plus purifying tabs are a good back up too. :)
I've used the Grayl Geopress as my exclusive filter on day hikes and multi-day backpack trips since summer of 2020. In Oregon where I tend to recreate the water is good quality with low sediment so I haven't had any issues. I've noticed that after a 4 day backpack trip the 'press time' gets to around 20 seconds, which is slow, but the water is good. Plus it gives me an additional 20oz container to carry water in. I've tried just about every system made by MSR, Platypus, Sawyer and others and they all have had failures and issues (especially in freezing temps). So far for three seasons the Grayl has done good. It's not fast but it has been reliable.
I agree on the firestarters, I've just used cotton balls and Vaseline for decades. However, the grayl is actually so easy to use that I got one for my then 5yo daughter, and she was then able to filter and carry her own water all by herself. Which gives me the peace of mind that she'll have clean water, even if for some reason she found herself without me or my wife there to help her.
I like the Grayl filters because of the simplicity when other people use it. "Can you dip water? Can you push down? Ok. So filter your own now!" Dummy proof. Money well spent.
Don't forget to mention the parts where you can't flush the filter, they require you to pre filter or you severely reduce the lifespan of your filter, and the fact that replacement filters are 30$+ but hey keep justifying the sunk cost fallacy.
Geopress impressed me when filtering potable water that was tasting nasty. It neutralized the taste right off. Never seen another filter do that that well.
The Geopress’ filter is good for 350 presses. Easy way to rally your usage is back page of your waterproof note pad, that is on everyone’s list of kit to have, make hash marks to track times used . Kit is always being rotated in and out depending on the season/ situation. Let’s be honest, good kit is good kit, if it works keep it. Keep these topics going. Love seeing others points of view.
The Grayl Geopress is a Fantastic Water Purifier ! Filters will easily last 300 presses, if you simply pre filter the water through a cotton bandana before you press the filter.
I love my Grayls so much that I "wasted" my money not in one, not in two, but in three Grayls that I have on various rucksacs (and I also "wasted" money in spare filters for each one of them...
Absolutely love the Grayl. I have 3. Best, most reliable item in my kit. No other portable filter system is this complete in my opinion. I still like the BeFree and Sawyer. They both have their place and the Grayl fills its place very nicely.
Only thought I had for the Grayl filter is put a piece of masking tape on the side and put a tic mark on it everytime you use it. You wont lose it because its stuck to the filter itself. Figure out how many containers is in a gallon and do the math might be a little complicated but then so is mag declination😊
I'm a big fan of the Grayl, and I carry one in my pack. I recall watching someone do a test who said the company told him that the normal time to press is about 8-10 seconds. If it takes 15 seconds ore more it's time to change your filter. I also strain out the big stuff by stretching a kerchief over the top of the raw water case before filling it, to extend service life of the filter. The company also says the filter is good for up to 3 freeze cycles, so it's best to keep it from freezing. Oh, and I carry a new spare with me.
Love the GeoPress. I agree with the statement about the inability to know the life of the filter but man the product is so good, especially for backpacking. I try to help keep track with the usage of the filter by wrapping the bottom of the bottle with duct tape and then when i use it i add a tally with a ballpoint pen (it doesn't smear off as easily as a Sharpie, and if part of it does fade there is still a visible indent in the duct tape where i had made the tally mark). Just something for you to try as it has helped me.
I agree with the firestarters, not so much with the grail that thing has saved me more often than not. The time it takes to depress the filter tells you when you need to change it out. Keep. Up the great work.
I make a lazy man’s fire starter for really wet PNW conditions. Cedar pet bedding (cheap) and saturate it with wax from old candles (yard sales or Goodwill) I put balls of this a bit bigger than golf balls in a square of HD aluminum foil. Each one burns for a good 15-20 minutes. I’ve tried them on green hard wood from tree prunings in the backyard, just like Ronco, set it and forget it. They work great when you don’t feel like preparing a proper fire lay.
Great insights as always Top! Yep, cottonballs/vaseline and fat wood; cheap and easy. Doesn’t get much better than that. I like the Grayl, but I see your point on measuring the filter life. Outside of using a sharpie to mark the outer container or maybe even light notching it’s difficult to keep track. One idea that Grayl could do on its next Gen is have some sort of counter in the filter that would keep track of the plunges and give a redline when you’re at the filter end. Keep up the Fire!
I get those 100 count cotton round makeup pads at Wallgreens. Then dip them in beeswax mixed with some charcoal fluid, and I carry fatwooed. My gloves? Just mechanix from Home Depot
I just got a geopress on ebay for $48. You bring up a good point. To keep track, I'll simply put a piece of duck tape on it & mark it with hashmarks. 👍🏼
I use a Grayl, but my one concern is freezing. It can survive about two freezes. So I would never store one in my vehicle for emergencies if it has been used even once. I keep a new filter for those situations.
As a vet in my mid 60's and an instructor, i use the following for fire starters : 1. Take an old toothepaste tube and cut it open at the bottom. Was thoroughly. Dry. Then fill with vaseline. Reseal the bottom. Keep dry cotton wool or balls in a zip lok bag. When needed, take cotton wool as needed, add vaseline from tube and then light or spark. Gives both vaseline and cotton wool dual purpose as a lubricant on those chaff marks in your clothes directly from the tube and the cotton wool can be used for medical use of disinfecting etc as a dry swab. This can be used with womens make up remover pads (also in kit that can be used to pressure a cut or to disinfect), or to add vaseline any other addition to wood or cloth to aid in fire starting. 2. Large dia plastic straws stuffed with vaseline soaked cotton wool and sealed off. A bit of experimentation to get size to fit the kit you are keeping them in is easy. You an make them in any size, 1/4, 1/2,3/4 size etc. Simply blank off one side with a heat source. Stuff it with the soaked cotton wool, then blank off the other side. This has to be started with a lighter tho. Or, if you see you have a weak flame that may go out on you, easy to simply place a strip on top of the small flame. Test at home to determine burn times. You will be surprised at how long it actually burns. Can be made to any size of the straw and stuffed in your pants pocket, down next to your kit etc without worrying about it oiling your kit or pants and its totally waterproof all the time. Never fails with a lighter. 3. The old potassium permanganate and sugar trick. Small bottle of pp and some sugar, equal ration, friction and wow, instant flame. Works well if you have any of 1. Or 2. Above. PP can be used to disinfect water, to make disinfectant for wounds and fire starters with sugar. Small bottle of crystals with sachet sugar and you good to go. Besides a magnesium block and stricker, a ferro rod and a bic lighter, i have never bought anything else. Tried and trusted. Keep on keeping on Heads up Eyes open No fear
Right on the spot (again) ! I use insulated leather working gloves that are 12€ a pair, and never bought fire starters, always made them myself from make-up pads and wax. Also, I boil my pencils in soft wax, creating kinda fatwood and carry a pencil sharpener, which gives me nice and thin shavings from it, that are easy lighting and long lasting as well. For quick rehydration I use another filter-bottle at half the price of the Grayl - I put a sticker on it and do a short line for every filling with a pencil, so it doesn't wash off.
I agree with all of these. I however love the filter but wish it would have a longer life span. And would be nice to be stainless steel on the outer part for cooking
A couple comments regarding the Grayl. I bought mine for emergency use because it’s a purifier, not just a filter (many don’t know the difference), and it’s really too heavy for backpacking (Sawyer Squeeze filter for that). Second, regarding filter life, the instructions with mine said it will get slower to operate and when you get to a certain number of seconds it’s time for a new filter. But I agree that was a concern of mine, too.
I have been using cotton balls and Vaseline for two decades now. They are my go to fire starter. I have never used the Grayl filter system , I have however used other filters systems and I have come to the same conclusions about the longevity of the filter. I would use it for specific outings to simplify my usage count. Thanks for another update Bill..
SoftShell Jackets, had a high end one that worked great for like a year, but then it was close to freezing and started to rain, and the jacket started leaking. Almost died of hypothermia! Now i only bring a rain jacket if rain is expected or possible.
For firestarters I've settled on wax coated makeup remover pads. Plenty of videos on how to make em. Also found out this morning my pace count is 67. My land nav journey has officially begun!
Honestly I’d have to say the one thing I wouldn’t buy again is a MC-2 compass or anything comparable. I’m going to stick with the military style compass. It feels way sturdier and it’s what I’ve been trained to use. Thank you for the great videos .
Never buy any of those tiny faro rods, unless it has a magnesium block. The rod will wear out super quick, so get one of them big bad ones for striking, and you can still utilise the magnesium block to enhance your fire starting ability.
I got a ziplock bag in my garage full of home made fire starters that are dirt cheap. I save the empty toilet paper roll and the lint from the dryer. I cram a roll full of lint and use it to get fires started. I also cut some of the tubes in half to make them smaller to carry and double the amount of fires I can start. Works great
I got the geopress as well. But it is living in my GHB and in my opinion is for temporary or emergency use only. The system I use regularly is a Sawyer squeeze built into gravity configuration. At $30 each I can carry a spare and have filtration for thousands of gallons. If I am concerned with purification, I carry Aqua Tabs too.
I've been using the cotton ball / Vaseline fire starter, each ball stuffed in a piece of paper straw, and dipped in candle wax. They've never let me down. I like your foil wrap, though, may switch. Home made fatwood = wood / cardboard boiled in wax You can usually decontaminate a filter by reverse flowing with bleach water. Just a little stronger than you dip veges in overseas. Most filters nowadays filter down to 1 micron. This is great for most things. Viruses are sub micron, oops. Purification tablets take care of viruses. But that makes nasty coffee. A lot of filters take out the taste of purification tablets Wells Lamont all the way. Ask rodeo calf ropers and bull riders.
For the Grayl, the time needed to press down to purify water is the clue about filter life. It starts at about 8 seconds, and, according to Grayl, when it rises to 30 seconds it is time to replace the filter. So one should never be surprised about how much life is left in the filter which is rated to filter 65 gallons.
got to use a mill bank bag with the grayl. The sawyer is a little nicer and far cheaper. Never used a Firestarter before. Or at least intill I started to watch RUclips.
For sunglasses i bought bollé tactical. Its ballistic safety glasses, lightweight and takes a beating. Downside is they are not polarised. For water i just use a nalgene stainless steel bottle so i can boil it. If not i have a sawyer mini and i use a bandana to pre filter the water in any case before it goes through the filter or boil
I'm in the Pacific Northwest, I've made a "boyscout candle" using a 270 case ( base removed ) and waxed hemp rope to make a long term fire starter for wet conditions. Just fluf the hemp and light once fire is going just pull hemp back into case neck to extinguish flame, Ferro rod will easily ignite it.
My water purifier was issued to my dad before being sent on a all expense paid vacation to Korea 1952 and it still works. Aka a canteen cup. Never give up the cup !
I liked that you gave alternatives for the first two items. With the Grayl it is bulk vs capacity for me, and price. I have more firestarters than I will ever use in my lifetime. I still have about 40 boxes of Triox, ton of Esbits, Firedragon, etc.
Free fire starter I use is simple dryer lint. It is free and easy to use. Works well too! I pack a ziplock with the dryer lint. I take the ziplock with me and if needed I add sone Vaseline for longer burn times. Simple and I don’t have to purchase cotton balls. Good stuff! Try it!! Haven’t ever seen any outdoor or survival channels using dryer lint
With your knife put a small notch in one of the ribs of the filter each time you use it. Five notches per rib, for easy counting, going sequentially around the filter until you reach your limit.
Read the label on filters, even high buck filters do not remove viruses, boil after filtering to be sure. I keep a pad and pencil with my Katadyn and make a check for each quart and with cleaning I can get around 13,000 gallons depending on the water source. Vaseline/cotton balls; About a thumbnail amount of Vaseline (more is fine, but don't oversaturate) to as many cotton balls you can jam into a USGI plastic match holder (with the ferro stick built into the bottom). Take out what you need, doesn't take up hardly any space, huge number of lights, other uses include wound dressing, lip balm and small area water proofing. USGI rappelling gloves; They have a double palm, can be purchased at Military surplus stores for around $20.00ish and I wear out the fingers before I've worn out the palms, they also have an adjustment strap you can clip to a carabiner on your pack.
Biggest regret was a Platypus water bladder years ago. Seal opened up between the main bladder and the hose and I lost most of my water. Still had a couple canteens though and they never failed me. Some of those inflatable pillows. Bought a unique design meant to fit inside sleeping bag hood. Never really liked it, other designs are more comfortable. Giant stormproof matches, neat novelty but I am never going to take these out. Never got a grail for the same reasons you mentioned. Sure it works well, just never appealed to me.
I think the Grayl filter would be fine for 3 seasons "most" of the time in "most" locations. Trouble is that in the mountains I've experienced temps down in the 20's F even in July with really hard freezes. That makes the Grayl filter dead weight in high elevations even at summer but if one sticks to lowland areas and elevations there should be little issue. Those Vaseline cotton ball fire starters are messy and not the best to carry unless you need Vasline for ointment. I prefer Firestarter made out of the makeup pads or heavy duty paper towels infused with my own melted parrifin, wax and accellerant. They open up like a small miniatur book and can be torn and fluffed up and catch light easy and burn even on snowbanks. The upshot is they aren't messy and are more solid form and can be carried anywhere like a pocket.
I bought 3 Sawyer squeezes for the price of a trayl. I can't justify the cost. I have had mine for 3 years, 2 never used yet. Still in the packages they came in. If I need water in unknown sources I will use it. I use a Milbank bag and I boil my water. I sure as He'll don't need something that expensive in my pack. Gear don't have to cost you a fortune and your first child to do bushcraft or survive anywhere. Learn skills. Learn them and leave the gadgets at home. Stop over loading your packs with everything. I was in the Marine Corps 26 years. If I can't survive anywhere on this planet, I don't need to survive. That simple. I survived Vietnam and I survived desert storm. I like you video by the way. Top notch. Great advice. I agree. Different types of gloves for different purposes. That needs to be understood. Don't get them at harbor freight. I get mine at tractor supply if I need them when I buy feed and whatnot.
I’ve used my Geopress to filter anything from swamp water to tap water in multiple countries/continents. If the water is full of large particles I use a mill bank bag to pre filter as is standard for use of any filter. I have only changed the cartridge once a year, after using the filter hundreds of times during travel, mountain biking, hiking, etc. I’ve never had issues with waterborne illnesses or even bad tasting water. Your analysis makes me question your experience and motives.
Nice video, about time someone talks about this stuff. I agree on the fire starters and have been using the cotton balls with vaseline but didn't think about wrapping them individually in aluminum foil so thanks for that. I also have the larger Grayl and thought the same thing on how to keep track of its usage so now I'm using a small sharpie to tally mark the outside. Found your site today, watched a few videos and subscribed. Keep up the good work and can't wait to check out your other stuff. Just one question, should I spend the bucks to upgrade my USGI canteen to nalgene. I have a few of the old plastic ones and a chinese stainless steel knockoff. Just wondering.
I am with you 💯% on the fire starters issue. I will look into your gloves, but as far as losing them what I do is clamp a grommet on the cuff of mine and run a small loop of bankline to run a carabiner through and attach it to my belt or bag.
Good leather work gloves are underrated, and I have seen many who don't even carry gloves! If your hands get cut up, etc it will make whatever you are doing that much harder. Whether it is natural or chemical based, good tender is vital. I like the Grayl Geopress, yes it is alot more expensive than bottles (FYI: the filter is good for 65 gallons), but it is not my only water container. I also carry a 35.5 ounce titanium bottle.
Another one that's a slam dunk as a fire starter is dollar store jute twine, though my favorite fire starter for reasonally optimally conditions is hand sanitizer.
boots! i used to buy this one pair of boots all the time from danner. they were made in usa, so i kept supporting them. 200 dollars a pair. they quit making them, i went with a midwest boot, kept going strong after a year.
My regret...A White Duck 13' Regina Bell canvas tent. It's a very good tent. Have had no issues with quality or it leaking. But it weighs 60lbs and is massive very hard to find a place to even set it up.
I have a grayl I put a piece of painters tape on it, I keep a sharpie in my bag and I make a mark on it everytime I use it... u don't have to do this and gives you a good idea how much it's been used
Great video thanks. Fun to use natural materials and also man made to create your own cheap fire starts but also fun to use all the different comercial Fire starter product too. The Grayl filter starts to take longer to push down the older and more clogged the filter gets. They recommend getting a new filter when it takes more than 30 seconds to push down. Think it can filter about 40 gas of water if the water is not to dirty or if you prefilter with a cloth or coffe filter type paper filter as to get the bigger stuff out of the water so their filter can last longer with out clogging up. Using the Grayl filter when you can not boil or it is not convinent is still a great option.
All of it. A few years ago I began purchasing per the KICS program unless I was forced to buy better. I wasted so much cash buying only the best and then never really needing or using items. Now I do it cheap til I’m sure I must have the best of an item.
fatwood is my go to fire starter. 100% water proof, lights every time without fail, and smells good. I've had the 24 oz. Grayl for over a year. still going strong. the website says the filter is good for 65 gal. if you put a bandana over the mouth of the Grayl as your filling it, the filter will last longer. the price is kinda steep, but what price do you put on the quality of the water you need to drink and be safe? I carry a Grayl and a Sawyer mini as a back up.
with my geo press I make a hash mark on the side every time I use it, ya it's getting a bit ugly, but it works.and it's almost time to replace the filter.
U can also make tender tabs they sell them Amazon like 250 of them for 8 bucks just dip then in wax I’ve seen people use a handle just melt it just make them till the candle is done
The big deal about the GEOpress is that it removes chemicals.... Use a pre-filter like a sock to save the 40 gallon lifespan. When it starts to take to long to press like 35 - 40 seconds its time to consider swapping the filter. If your in an enviroment were the water is fairly pristine then just use a Sawyer or boil it.
all valid points made. I even agree the grail is highly over priced. as far is keeping track of usage ive never had an issue if it takes longer than a minute to use it i replace the cartridge. but I still default to it because it's simple, it works, it's fast, it removes way more than just viruses and it's not fragile. find another system that can check those boxes and I will try it and possibly covert.
Grayl Geopress's are good for 350 presses, but I agree, how do you know? My biggest wish is that it was lighter. Don't know if it is possible but I would like to see one with a titanium body that can also be used to boil water on a campfire. I can tell you that the Grayl works better than the Sawyer squeeze. Using the Sawyer in south Jersey, you can still taste the iron but not in the Grayl.
Over the course of many years, I have purchased some things that didn't work out the way I thought they would or where bad ideas were. A lot of them, sadly, u don't remember. One of the most recent couple of years ago was a small stove for gas cans like the propane or butane or the mis of the two. One was really cheap and if your not paying attention to it will nearly come apart on you. I either found, gifted or purchased a different version that is better built. Like you mentioned sunglasses, I always go to Harbor Freight and buy them, the price is right at or about $2. Plus they are ANZ 87.1 safety rated. Use them for everything. They get scratches, no biggie. Gloves, I purchased a pair of mechanics style there as well, still have them, and still serviceable after 2 or so years. Same with a pair I bought from Home Depot. I do need to pick up a good pair of leather gloves for general use. But I have several old pairs of leather and cloth I have had for years, still work.
See I can argue back-and-forth on what I should have bought and what I wish i would have bought, It just comes down to what you need it for what you're gonna be doing with it and how often you're gonna be using it. Now like the grayl geopress One filter can do close to 65 gallens maybe even more if you're taking account of prefiltering with a bandana before running it through the actual the Filter to prolonged the lifespan of the filter it off and I use mine every weekend.
I purchased a Grayl and the different filters when it 1st came on the market. I thought this would be the best thing since sliced bread for getting a drink on the trail. WRONG , It's way to heavy , for the effort very little water each time. To many times to refill it and the time consumed doing it. it's been filed away in my junk drawer after that 1st trip. Back to the gravity filter for camp and the Smart water bottle and Sawyer when walking.
I go through gloves very fast doing tree work, best I ever found were some I picked up in Wyoming once, made from Elk Hide with Kevlar threads. Those two pairs I bought lasted two years. I am able to find fatwood or pine/fir pitch most places I go here in the mountains of Colorado. When I was down in Texas , I had to buy some at a hardware store. Never used the Grayl Geopress, carry a Sawyer Mini now, used to carry an MSR pump.
You can get 300 cycles give or take out of one filter I just put a piece of duck tape on it and every time I fill it I put a tally mark on it to keep track.
I'm not sold on the Geopress yet its pricy for what it does, I'm still looking for recommendations on a filter for heavy metals and chemicals.. boiling takes care of everything else. leather gloves are good for hot stuff and prevents rope burns. great video looking forward to your next one.
A seasoned bushcraft guy pointed out that in the South when it's hella hot, boiling water means you need to drink hot water. Having the Grayl means you can drink cool spring water as is, and save time not waiting for boiled water to come to ambient temperature. If the outside is 90-100 degrees, drinking boiled water would be miserable
I have a similar issue regarding a Sawyer filter (and those like it) - did it freeze since I last used it while it was in my car or pack in between trips? how do I know if it is busted? wish there was a dye or something that could be released when it freezes to let you know it is no good anymore. So just have to go out and buy another one to be sure - what a waste.
The gloves reminded me of my time working at one of the big shoe companies. No refunds on running shoes, if you walk in them. They design running shoes for professional runners. You're supposed to wear walking shoes and when you run, swap out of them and into running shoes.
The Geopress is simple to tell if filter is becoming past its life (8 seconds good, 25 seconds bad...for a single press). Watch video on how to use the Geopress.
I have a butt load of strike anywhere matches and all kinds of paper to start fires with. I store the matches in waterproof containers and I got the paper for free through the years. Be safe my friends.
Those gloves that come in the 3 pack at Sam’s and Costco are alright, but nowhere near as tough as my Airforce issue black leather gloves. They also clip together so you don’t lose them, and have a cinch buckle to tighten them down. My next door neighbor had the three pack you are talking about and quickly got a pair of the Airforce gloves when I showed them to him. Mine where issues, but they are commonly available at my local military surplus. I also have a yellow pair of uline leather gloves. Also tougher then the Sam’s special gloves. You could build barbed wire fences all day in either one of mine.
while it may not be the best gloves for thorny bushes, i just LOVE my mammut fingerless climbing gloves (yes the work for rappel too, but for tha i suggest full gloves) for everything else. i cant work with thick gloves at all...i agree on cotton balls; cheap, easy to make, can be used in any weather and store damn well for years.
Bill! Good and informative video. Of all the items you mentioned, the Product image Grayl GeoPress Purifier Bottle was the one I most wanted on my wish list because it was the only one that filters viruses as well as bacteria. But good point, gee? How many gallons did I filter through it? Grayl needs to build a mechanism to count the gallons or whatever. Then I would consider getting one. Even for the money. But I'm having second thoughts now. Just boil the water or tablets. Thank for this video!
its real simple .normal filtering takes up to 15 seconds to press through if, it takes 25 seconds or more replace the filter. they're good for 172 liters ( 45 us gallons ) . tip if the water is murky or muddy put a rag over the top of the bottle before filling it with water- only con to this product is the weight and bulkyness and price of filter. it also filters out mercury , lead and any other chemicals from pesticeds if your water source is near farming land along your trip and who knows what else is in the rivers these days
I hate to admit this, but I fell for the hype of the Benchmade bugout. I think I used it 3 times, & never used it again. It’s just too small, & light for me. Some things I just want to have a little more weight, for important things like a knife. If the bugout ever fell out of my pocket, it was so light, I wouldn’t know it.
yea some knives are that way. Personally my favorite bench made is the griptillion mini if I am going with a folder. anything more than that is needed I whip out a full tang fixed blade
That Grayl geopress will work longer if you filter the water through your shemagh, or a coffee filter before you put it in the press. It is time to change the filter when it takes 20 seconds to press all the way down as opposed to 8 seconds.. I keep a sawyer mini as a back up. Plus my pot to boil the water..carry some coffee filters with you to pre-filter the water.
Fat wood is king .
Or a mill bank bag. I have one especially designed to keep with my Grayl press and a steel cup as well. But like he said when it takes you longer to press it change it. If you pre filter it will last considerably longer. Stay stoked 🤙🇺🇸👍
Yeah, my understanding is it will purify basically indefinitely, but the filter element will eventually become clogged by particles.
Fat wood IS king and, in most environments…it’s there more often than not. My wife and I both carry sawyer minis and the life straw is useful if you plan on moving and not needing to heat or purify water. Good stuff.
Maybe some coffee grain too!
LOL! Dont forget the coffee!
The Grayl is my "emergency" bottle. I hike with the Sawyers as my heavy lift. Although when I travel the Grayl goes with and filters the local water from the sink. Don't know if it does much h or not and I expect it to last longer as it's not filtering pond water.
If it was a through hikers, ( not me) you'd have to switch the filter monthly. Many have done the entire AT with a Sawyer. GRAYL needs to step up the filter game.
I watched a Coalcracker video about making fire starters with women's cotton face pads, paraffin wax, and charcoal fluid. I then keep them in any empty Grizzly dip can. They work like a charm and I have made tons of them. I found this to be the cheapest and easiest way to always have them available.
I use the cotton face pads but keep the petroleum jelly separate because the pj has additional uses and the face pads have potential first aid uses.
Yes I have made a ton of them, cheap water proof and very reliable ... So far
Ad a celluloid guitar pick.
Highly flammable (almost "explosive"), wont be affected by water, and you can also make tiny shavings from it.
Just me- I never put any liquid
anything on my fire starters if
I'm going to pocket or pack carry.
Too much booboo potential.
If you get petroleum jelly or
paraffin on your skin it won't
irritate you or cause a rash,
or if a volatile liquid would
contaminate food items.
I had all my gear in a large
waterproof foot locker type
container for a lengthy trip,
and a full container of insect
repellent and some stove fuel
both leaked and contaminated
all gear and clothes and edibles
That was my lesson
@@maxpinson5002 When you ride in a car, you're a** is sitting on top of the accelerant (gasoline). Plenty of booboo material there. You need an accelerant to quickly start your fire which is contained in wax and the container, so you are quite safe, unlike liquid insect repellent or even gasoline. Just be careful as we all should do every day, bro.
I have the Geopress 16 and 24 ounce.
They work great.
When it gets difficult to press the filter down, that means it needs to be replaced
I love my Grayl. Keep an extra filter in my bag.
It's fast, expedient, zero set up time. If you carry a SS canteen and cup like I do, you can filter pour into the canteen, filter and carry additional water in the geo press.
I avoid making fire unless I have too, it's time consuming, dirty, and it gives away your location. The grayl eliminates the need to have fire to purify your water.
I also keep 12 trioxane fuel bars in my bag. If I need to boil water I can boil a 32oz SS canteen worth of water or a canteen cup worth of water and never have a flicker. Each bar will heat 32oz of water to boiling.
The filter doesn't degrade, it just gets blocked with what it's filtered out. A Millbank bag to fill it will collect a lot of the worse debris before it goes into the Grayl. A Millbank bag plus purifying tabs are a good back up too. :)
I've used the Grayl Geopress as my exclusive filter on day hikes and multi-day backpack trips since summer of 2020. In Oregon where I tend to recreate the water is good quality with low sediment so I haven't had any issues. I've noticed that after a 4 day backpack trip the 'press time' gets to around 20 seconds, which is slow, but the water is good. Plus it gives me an additional 20oz container to carry water in. I've tried just about every system made by MSR, Platypus, Sawyer and others and they all have had failures and issues (especially in freezing temps). So far for three seasons the Grayl has done good. It's not fast but it has been reliable.
I agree on the firestarters, I've just used cotton balls and Vaseline for decades.
However, the grayl is actually so easy to use that I got one for my then 5yo daughter, and she was then able to filter and carry her own water all by herself. Which gives me the peace of mind that she'll have clean water, even if for some reason she found herself without me or my wife there to help her.
I find dryer lint to be an excellent fire starter. It’s free, light, and works.
I like the Grayl filters because of the simplicity when other people use it. "Can you dip water? Can you push down? Ok. So filter your own now!" Dummy proof. Money well spent.
I like them to
100 dollars buys a lot of bleach
or iodine or purification tablets.
Boiling only costs a little time
and labor
I'd pay for less aggravation.
Don't forget to mention the parts where you can't flush the filter, they require you to pre filter or you severely reduce the lifespan of your filter, and the fact that replacement filters are 30$+ but hey keep justifying the sunk cost fallacy.
@@Horde334 money well spent
Geopress impressed me when filtering potable water that was tasting nasty. It neutralized the taste right off. Never seen another filter do that that well.
You think it got the lead and primer compounds out of that range water he drank?
Geopress removes chemicals
The Geopress’ filter is good for 350 presses. Easy way to rally your usage is back page of your waterproof note pad, that is on everyone’s list of kit to have, make hash marks to track times used . Kit is always being rotated in and out depending on the season/ situation. Let’s be honest, good kit is good kit, if it works keep it. Keep these topics going. Love seeing others points of view.
The Grayl Geopress is a Fantastic Water Purifier ! Filters will easily last 300 presses, if you simply pre filter the water through a cotton bandana before you press the filter.
It is handy.
I love my Grayls so much that I "wasted" my money not in one, not in two, but in three Grayls that I have on various rucksacs (and I also "wasted" money in spare filters for each one of them...
Absolutely love the Grayl. I have 3. Best, most reliable item in my kit. No other portable filter system is this complete in my opinion. I still like the BeFree and Sawyer. They both have their place and the Grayl fills its place very nicely.
Only thought I had for the Grayl filter is put a piece of masking tape on the side and put a tic mark on it everytime you use it. You wont lose it because its stuck to the filter itself. Figure out how many containers is in a gallon and do the math might be a little complicated but then so is mag declination😊
350 presses in the instructions.
@@James-ke5sx that would make it easier
I'm a big fan of the Grayl, and I carry one in my pack. I recall watching someone do a test who said the company told him that the normal time to press is about 8-10 seconds. If it takes 15 seconds ore more it's time to change your filter. I also strain out the big stuff by stretching a kerchief over the top of the raw water case before filling it, to extend service life of the filter. The company also says the filter is good for up to 3 freeze cycles, so it's best to keep it from freezing. Oh, and I carry a new spare with me.
Love the GeoPress. I agree with the statement about the inability to know the life of the filter but man the product is so good, especially for backpacking. I try to help keep track with the usage of the filter by wrapping the bottom of the bottle with duct tape and then when i use it i add a tally with a ballpoint pen (it doesn't smear off as easily as a Sharpie, and if part of it does fade there is still a visible indent in the duct tape where i had made the tally mark). Just something for you to try as it has helped me.
I agree with the firestarters, not so much with the grail that thing has saved me more often than not. The time it takes to depress the filter tells you when you need to change it out. Keep. Up the great work.
It is handy.
I make a lazy man’s fire starter for really wet PNW conditions. Cedar pet bedding (cheap) and saturate it with wax from old candles (yard sales or Goodwill) I put balls of this a bit bigger than golf balls in a square of HD aluminum foil. Each one burns for a good 15-20 minutes. I’ve tried them on green hard wood from tree prunings in the backyard, just like Ronco, set it and forget it. They work great when you don’t feel like preparing a proper fire lay.
Great insights as always Top! Yep, cottonballs/vaseline and fat wood; cheap and easy. Doesn’t get much better than that. I like the Grayl, but I see your point on measuring the filter life. Outside of using a sharpie to mark the outer container or maybe even light notching it’s difficult to keep track. One idea that Grayl could do on its next Gen is have some sort of counter in the filter that would keep track of the plunges and give a redline when you’re at the filter end.
Keep up the Fire!
I get those 100 count cotton round makeup pads at Wallgreens. Then dip them in beeswax mixed with some charcoal fluid, and I carry fatwooed. My gloves? Just mechanix from Home Depot
I just got a geopress on ebay for $48. You bring up a good point. To keep track, I'll simply put a piece of duck tape on it & mark it with hashmarks. 👍🏼
I use a Grayl, but my one concern is freezing. It can survive about two freezes. So I would never store one in my vehicle for emergencies if it has been used even once. I keep a new filter for those situations.
As a vet in my mid 60's and an instructor, i use the following for fire starters :
1. Take an old toothepaste tube and cut it open at the bottom. Was thoroughly. Dry. Then fill with vaseline. Reseal the bottom. Keep dry cotton wool or balls in a zip lok bag. When needed, take cotton wool as needed, add vaseline from tube and then light or spark. Gives both vaseline and cotton wool dual purpose as a lubricant on those chaff marks in your clothes directly from the tube and the cotton wool can be used for medical use of disinfecting etc as a dry swab. This can be used with womens make up remover pads (also in kit that can be used to pressure a cut or to disinfect), or to add vaseline any other addition to wood or cloth to aid in fire starting.
2. Large dia plastic straws stuffed with vaseline soaked cotton wool and sealed off. A bit of experimentation to get size to fit the kit you are keeping them in is easy. You an make them in any size, 1/4, 1/2,3/4 size etc. Simply blank off one side with a heat source. Stuff it with the soaked cotton wool, then blank off the other side. This has to be started with a lighter tho. Or, if you see you have a weak flame that may go out on you, easy to simply place a strip on top of the small flame.
Test at home to determine burn times. You will be surprised at how long it actually burns.
Can be made to any size of the straw and stuffed in your pants pocket, down next to your kit etc without worrying about it oiling your kit or pants and its totally waterproof all the time. Never fails with a lighter.
3. The old potassium permanganate and sugar trick. Small bottle of pp and some sugar, equal ration, friction and wow, instant flame. Works well if you have any of 1. Or 2. Above. PP can be used to disinfect water, to make disinfectant for wounds and fire starters with sugar. Small bottle of crystals with sachet sugar and you good to go.
Besides a magnesium block and stricker, a ferro rod and a bic lighter, i have never bought anything else. Tried and trusted.
Keep on keeping on
Heads up
Eyes open
No fear
Lip balm does same, and already packaged!
Right on the spot (again) ! I use insulated leather working gloves that are 12€ a pair, and never bought fire starters, always made them myself from make-up pads and wax. Also, I boil my pencils in soft wax, creating kinda fatwood and carry a pencil sharpener, which gives me nice and thin shavings from it, that are easy lighting and long lasting as well. For quick rehydration I use another filter-bottle at half the price of the Grayl - I put a sticker on it and do a short line for every filling with a pencil, so it doesn't wash off.
I've had my MSR MiniWorks for over 20 years and keeps on going. Best filter for the money still.
@@matztertaler2777 I also use Berkey at home. I hadn't heard about the aluminum but double thanks for the info I'll definitely look into it
I agree with all of these. I however love the filter but wish it would have a longer life span. And would be nice to be stainless steel on the outer part for cooking
A couple comments regarding the Grayl. I bought mine for emergency use because it’s a purifier, not just a filter (many don’t know the difference), and it’s really too heavy for backpacking (Sawyer Squeeze filter for that). Second, regarding filter life, the instructions with mine said it will get slower to operate and when you get to a certain number of seconds it’s time for a new filter. But I agree that was a concern of mine, too.
I have been using cotton balls and Vaseline for two decades now. They are my go to fire starter. I have never used the Grayl filter system , I have however used other filters systems and I have come to the same conclusions about the longevity of the filter. I would use it for specific outings to simplify my usage count. Thanks for another update Bill..
SoftShell Jackets, had a high end one that worked great for like a year,
but then it was close to freezing and started to rain, and the jacket started leaking.
Almost died of hypothermia!
Now i only bring a rain jacket if rain is expected or possible.
I have the large and small Grayl. Where the small one shines for me is fly fishing. I have water all day without much added weight or bulk.
I prefer the Wells Lemont goatskin gloves. They don't last as long as cowhide, but they're so damn comfortable.
For firestarters I've settled on wax coated makeup remover pads. Plenty of videos on how to make em. Also found out this morning my pace count is 67. My land nav journey has officially begun!
Hell yeah!
Let's go!! Keep safe.
Honestly I’d have to say the one thing I wouldn’t buy again is a MC-2 compass or anything comparable. I’m going to stick with the military style compass. It feels way sturdier and it’s what I’ve been trained to use. Thank you for the great videos .
I feel ya.
Never buy any of those tiny faro rods, unless it has a magnesium block. The rod will wear out super quick, so get one of them big bad ones for striking, and you can still utilise the magnesium block to enhance your fire starting ability.
I got a ziplock bag in my garage full of home made fire starters that are dirt cheap. I save the empty toilet paper roll and the lint from the dryer. I cram a roll full of lint and use it to get fires started. I also cut some of the tubes in half to make them smaller to carry and double the amount of fires I can start. Works great
I got the geopress as well. But it is living in my GHB and in my opinion is for temporary or emergency use only. The system I use regularly is a Sawyer squeeze built into gravity configuration. At $30 each I can carry a spare and have filtration for thousands of gallons. If I am concerned with purification, I carry Aqua Tabs too.
I've been using the cotton ball / Vaseline fire starter, each ball stuffed in a piece of paper straw, and dipped in candle wax. They've never let me down. I like your foil wrap, though, may switch.
Home made fatwood = wood / cardboard boiled in wax
You can usually decontaminate a filter by reverse flowing with bleach water. Just a little stronger than you dip veges in overseas.
Most filters nowadays filter down to 1 micron. This is great for most things. Viruses are sub micron, oops.
Purification tablets take care of viruses. But that makes nasty coffee. A lot of filters take out the taste of purification tablets
Wells Lamont all the way. Ask rodeo calf ropers and bull riders.
For the Grayl, the time needed to press down to purify water is the clue about filter life. It starts at about 8 seconds, and, according to Grayl, when it rises to 30 seconds it is time to replace the filter. So one should never be surprised about how much life is left in the filter which is rated to filter 65 gallons.
got to use a mill bank bag with the grayl. The sawyer is a little nicer and far cheaper. Never used a Firestarter before. Or at least intill I started to watch RUclips.
For sunglasses i bought bollé tactical. Its ballistic safety glasses, lightweight and takes a beating. Downside is they are not polarised. For water i just use a nalgene stainless steel bottle so i can boil it. If not i have a sawyer mini and i use a bandana to pre filter the water in any case before it goes through the filter or boil
The Geopress is a purifier that removes heavy metals and ag chemicals. Boiling and tablets don’t. This makes it good for international travel as well.
I'm in the Pacific Northwest, I've made a "boyscout candle" using a 270 case ( base removed ) and waxed hemp rope to make a long term fire starter for wet conditions. Just fluf the hemp and light once fire is going just pull hemp back into case neck to extinguish flame, Ferro rod will easily ignite it.
My water purifier was issued to my dad before being sent on a all expense paid vacation to Korea 1952 and it still works. Aka a canteen cup. Never give up the cup !
Cotton balls, vaseline, dip can
Add shavings from framing 2x4 if need be it will light easily if you dont have fat wood.
So true about Gloves, honestly the best ones I've used are Flight Gloves and Hatch brand Duty Gloves, the Neoprene ones are great.
I liked that you gave alternatives for the first two items. With the Grayl it is bulk vs capacity for me, and price. I have more firestarters than I will ever use in my lifetime. I still have about 40 boxes of Triox, ton of Esbits, Firedragon, etc.
Free fire starter I use is simple dryer lint. It is free and easy to use. Works well too! I pack a ziplock with the dryer lint. I take the ziplock with me and if needed I add sone Vaseline for longer burn times. Simple and I don’t have to purchase cotton balls. Good stuff! Try it!! Haven’t ever seen any outdoor or survival channels using dryer lint
With your knife put a small notch in one of the ribs of the filter each time you use it. Five notches per rib, for easy counting, going sequentially around the filter until you reach your limit.
I bought some deer skin gloves at Home Depot. Inexpensive, flexible, and tough enough for sticks and brush type stuff.
Read the label on filters, even high buck filters do not remove viruses, boil after filtering to be sure.
I keep a pad and pencil with my Katadyn and make a check for each quart and with cleaning I can get around 13,000 gallons depending on the water source.
Vaseline/cotton balls; About a thumbnail amount of Vaseline (more is fine, but don't oversaturate) to as many cotton balls you can jam into a USGI plastic match holder (with the ferro stick built into the bottom). Take out what you need, doesn't take up hardly any space, huge number of lights, other uses include wound dressing, lip balm and small area water proofing.
USGI rappelling gloves; They have a double palm, can be purchased at Military surplus stores for around $20.00ish and I wear out the fingers before I've worn out the palms, they also have an adjustment strap you can clip to a carabiner on your pack.
I'm with you on all these. Back to basics that work and don't break the bank.
Biggest regret was a Platypus water bladder years ago. Seal opened up between the main bladder and the hose and I lost most of my water. Still had a couple canteens though and they never failed me.
Some of those inflatable pillows. Bought a unique design meant to fit inside sleeping bag hood. Never really liked it, other designs are more comfortable.
Giant stormproof matches, neat novelty but I am never going to take these out.
Never got a grail for the same reasons you mentioned. Sure it works well, just never appealed to me.
I think the Grayl filter would be fine for 3 seasons "most" of the time in "most" locations. Trouble is that in the mountains I've experienced temps down in the 20's F even in July with really hard freezes. That makes the Grayl filter dead weight in high elevations even at summer but if one sticks to lowland areas and elevations there should be little issue.
Those Vaseline cotton ball fire starters are messy and not the best to carry unless you need Vasline for ointment. I prefer Firestarter made out of the makeup pads or heavy duty paper towels infused with my own melted parrifin, wax and accellerant. They open up like a small miniatur book and can be torn and fluffed up and catch light easy and burn even on snowbanks. The upshot is they aren't messy and are more solid form and can be carried anywhere like a pocket.
I bought 3 Sawyer squeezes for the price of a trayl. I can't justify the cost. I have had mine for 3 years, 2 never used yet. Still in the packages they came in. If I need water in unknown sources I will use it. I use a Milbank bag and I boil my water. I sure as He'll don't need something that expensive in my pack. Gear don't have to cost you a fortune and your first child to do bushcraft or survive anywhere. Learn skills. Learn them and leave the gadgets at home. Stop over loading your packs with everything.
I was in the Marine Corps 26 years. If I can't survive anywhere on this planet, I don't need to survive. That simple. I survived Vietnam and I survived desert storm.
I like you video by the way. Top notch. Great advice. I agree. Different types of gloves for different purposes. That needs to be understood. Don't get them at harbor freight. I get mine at tractor supply if I need them when I buy feed and whatnot.
Semper Fi!
I’ve used my Geopress to filter anything from swamp water to tap water in multiple countries/continents. If the water is full of large particles I use a mill bank bag to pre filter as is standard for use of any filter. I have only changed the cartridge once a year, after using the filter hundreds of times during travel, mountain biking, hiking, etc. I’ve never had issues with waterborne illnesses or even bad tasting water. Your analysis makes me question your experience and motives.
I made the cotton balls and Vaseline firestarters but the only grease I had was axle grease. It burns real good.
Thanks for this, i did not know how limited that over priced water filter was.
Nice video, about time someone talks about this stuff. I agree on the fire starters and have been using the cotton balls with vaseline but didn't think about wrapping them individually in aluminum foil so thanks for that. I also have the larger Grayl and thought the same thing on how to keep track of its usage so now I'm using a small sharpie to tally mark the outside. Found your site today, watched a few videos and subscribed. Keep up the good work and can't wait to check out your other stuff. Just one question, should I spend the bucks to upgrade my USGI canteen to nalgene. I have a few of the old plastic ones and a chinese stainless steel knockoff. Just wondering.
I am with you 💯% on the fire starters issue. I will look into your gloves, but as far as losing them what I do is clamp a grommet on the cuff of mine and run a small loop of bankline to run a carabiner through and attach it to my belt or bag.
As fire starter I like dryer lint. As with the cottonballs you can light it twice. It’s like having char cloth.
I love the geopress it's a good backup or on-the-fly water purification method
Good leather work gloves are underrated, and I have seen many who don't even carry gloves! If your hands get cut up, etc it will make whatever you are doing that much harder.
Whether it is natural or chemical based, good tender is vital.
I like the Grayl Geopress, yes it is alot more expensive than bottles (FYI: the filter is good for 65 gallons), but it is not my only water container. I also carry a 35.5 ounce titanium bottle.
Another one that's a slam dunk as a fire starter is dollar store jute twine, though my favorite fire starter for reasonally optimally conditions is hand sanitizer.
boots! i used to buy this one pair of boots all the time from danner. they were made in usa, so i kept supporting them. 200 dollars a pair. they quit making them, i went with a midwest boot, kept going strong after a year.
My regret...A White Duck 13' Regina Bell canvas tent. It's a very good tent. Have had no issues with quality or it leaking. But it weighs 60lbs and is massive very hard to find a place to even set it up.
I have a grayl I put a piece of painters tape on it, I keep a sharpie in my bag and I make a mark on it everytime I use it... u don't have to do this and gives you a good idea how much it's been used
Great video thanks. Fun to use natural materials and also man made to create your own cheap fire starts but also fun to use all the different comercial Fire starter product too. The Grayl filter starts to take longer to push down the older and more clogged the filter gets. They recommend getting a new filter when it takes more than 30 seconds to push down. Think it can filter about 40 gas of water if the water is not to dirty or if you prefilter with a cloth or coffe filter type paper filter as to get the bigger stuff out of the water so their filter can last longer with out clogging up. Using the Grayl filter when you can not boil or it is not convinent is still a great option.
All of it. A few years ago I began purchasing per the KICS program unless I was forced to buy better. I wasted so much cash buying only the best and then never really needing or using items. Now I do it cheap til I’m sure I must have the best of an item.
Thanks a bunch for this real-world review of gear you have tried recently....could be useful for my current scriptwriting work...
Fatwood, the gold of the woods. Use it all the time.
A box of fire starters from the pound shop does me. I’m with you on the grayl, I have one but have mixed feeling’s about it.
about the geopress, a tale tale on them is the press time. if it takes more than 25 to 30 seconds to press, its time to change the filter. good video.
Hi I have the same issue with the grayl I use some painters tape and I put a mark to tell me how many times I’ve used it
fatwood is my go to fire starter. 100% water proof, lights every time without fail, and smells good. I've had the 24 oz. Grayl for over a year. still going strong. the website says the filter is good for 65 gal. if you put a bandana over the mouth of the Grayl as your filling it, the filter will last longer. the price is kinda steep, but what price do you put on the quality of the water you need to drink and be safe? I carry a Grayl and a Sawyer mini as a back up.
with my geo press I make a hash mark on the side every time I use it, ya it's getting a bit ugly, but it works.and it's almost time to replace the filter.
U can also make tender tabs they sell them Amazon like 250 of them for 8 bucks just dip then in wax I’ve seen people use a handle just melt it just make them till the candle is done
I don't know if I'm more stoked to be the #1000 "like" or to see someone else rocking the Wells Lamonts!
🇺🇸🥃🇺🇸
The big deal about the GEOpress is that it removes chemicals.... Use a pre-filter like a sock to save the 40 gallon lifespan. When it starts to take to long to press like 35 - 40 seconds its time to consider swapping the filter. If your in an enviroment were the water is fairly pristine then just use a Sawyer or boil it.
all valid points made. I even agree the grail is highly over priced. as far is keeping track of usage ive never had an issue if it takes longer than a minute to use it i replace the cartridge.
but I still default to it because it's simple, it works, it's fast, it removes way more than just viruses and it's not fragile.
find another system that can check those boxes and I will try it and possibly covert.
Grayl Geopress's are good for 350 presses, but I agree, how do you know? My biggest wish is that it was lighter. Don't know if it is possible but I would like to see one with a titanium body that can also be used to boil water on a campfire. I can tell you that the Grayl works better than the Sawyer squeeze. Using the Sawyer in south Jersey, you can still taste the iron but not in the Grayl.
For a whopping $200 they make one.
Over the course of many years, I have purchased some things that didn't work out the way I thought they would or where bad ideas were. A lot of them, sadly, u don't remember. One of the most recent couple of years ago was a small stove for gas cans like the propane or butane or the mis of the two. One was really cheap and if your not paying attention to it will nearly come apart on you. I either found, gifted or purchased a different version that is better built.
Like you mentioned sunglasses, I always go to Harbor Freight and buy them, the price is right at or about $2. Plus they are ANZ 87.1 safety rated. Use them for everything. They get scratches, no biggie. Gloves, I purchased a pair of mechanics style there as well, still have them, and still serviceable after 2 or so years. Same with a pair I bought from Home Depot. I do need to pick up a good pair of leather gloves for general use. But I have several old pairs of leather and cloth I have had for years, still work.
See I can argue back-and-forth on what I should have bought and what I wish i would have bought, It just comes down to what you need it for what you're gonna be doing with it and how often you're gonna be using it. Now like the grayl geopress One filter can do close to 65 gallens maybe even more if you're taking account of prefiltering with a bandana before running it through the actual the Filter to prolonged the lifespan of the filter it off and I use mine every weekend.
I purchased a Grayl and the different filters when it 1st came on the market. I thought this would be the best thing since sliced bread for getting a drink on the trail. WRONG , It's way to heavy , for the effort very little water each time. To many times to refill it and the time consumed doing it. it's been filed away in my junk drawer after that 1st trip. Back to the gravity filter for camp and the Smart water bottle and Sawyer when walking.
I go through gloves very fast doing tree work, best I ever found were some I picked up in Wyoming once, made from Elk Hide with Kevlar threads. Those two pairs I bought lasted two years.
I am able to find fatwood or pine/fir pitch most places I go here in the mountains of Colorado. When I was down in Texas , I had to buy some at a hardware store.
Never used the Grayl Geopress, carry a Sawyer Mini now, used to carry an MSR pump.
Liked that last part, too many effeminate males out there these days.
You can get 300 cycles give or take out of one filter I just put a piece of duck tape on it and every time I fill it I put a tally mark on it to keep track.
Back in the day, (10 billion years BC) Wells-Lamont where called "white mule" gloves. The absolute best you could get.
I am taking my titanium geopress down to the Philippines later this month for 6 weeks and I hope it does what it is supposed too,
I'm not sold on the Geopress yet its pricy for what it does, I'm still looking for recommendations on a filter for heavy metals and chemicals.. boiling takes care of everything else. leather gloves are good for hot stuff and prevents rope burns. great video looking forward to your next one.
A seasoned bushcraft guy pointed out that in the South when it's hella hot, boiling water means you need to drink hot water. Having the Grayl means you can drink cool spring water as is, and save time not waiting for boiled water to come to ambient temperature. If the outside is 90-100 degrees, drinking boiled water would be miserable
I have a similar issue regarding a Sawyer filter (and those like it) - did it freeze since I last used it while it was in my car or pack in between trips? how do I know if it is busted? wish there was a dye or something that could be released when it freezes to let you know it is no good anymore. So just have to go out and buy another one to be sure - what a waste.
Water filtering can be accomplished with layering cheese cloth (which has many other uses). Then just purify then through heat or chemical treatment.
The gloves reminded me of my time working at one of the big shoe companies. No refunds on running shoes, if you walk in them. They design running shoes for professional runners. You're supposed to wear walking shoes and when you run, swap out of them and into running shoes.
The Geopress is simple to tell if filter is becoming past its life (8 seconds good, 25 seconds bad...for a single press). Watch video on how to use the Geopress.
I have a butt load of strike anywhere matches and all kinds of paper to start fires with. I store the matches in waterproof containers and I got the paper for free through the years. Be safe my friends.
Those gloves that come in the 3 pack at Sam’s and Costco are alright, but nowhere near as tough as my Airforce issue black leather gloves. They also clip together so you don’t lose them, and have a cinch buckle to tighten them down. My next door neighbor had the three pack you are talking about and quickly got a pair of the Airforce gloves when I showed them to him. Mine where issues, but they are commonly available at my local military surplus. I also have a yellow pair of uline leather gloves. Also tougher then the Sam’s special gloves. You could build barbed wire fences all day in either one of mine.
while it may not be the best gloves for thorny bushes, i just LOVE my mammut fingerless climbing gloves (yes the work for rappel too, but for tha i suggest full gloves) for everything else. i cant work with thick gloves at all...i agree on cotton balls; cheap, easy to make, can be used in any weather and store damn well for years.
Bill! Good and informative video. Of all the items you mentioned, the Product image Grayl GeoPress Purifier Bottle was the one I most wanted on my wish list because it was the only one that filters viruses as well as bacteria. But good point, gee? How many gallons did I filter through it? Grayl needs to build a mechanism to count the gallons or whatever. Then I would consider getting one. Even for the money. But I'm having second thoughts now. Just boil the water or tablets. Thank for this video!
It is a handy piece of equipment Tom. No doubt.
its real simple .normal filtering takes up to 15 seconds to press through if, it takes 25 seconds or more replace the filter. they're good for 172 liters ( 45 us gallons ) . tip if the water is murky or muddy put a rag over the top of the bottle before filling it with water- only con to this product is the weight and bulkyness and price of filter. it also filters out mercury , lead and any other chemicals from pesticeds if your water source is near farming land along your trip and who knows what else is in the rivers these days
My problem with fat wood is that where I live in Iowa there isn't many pine trees growing wild .
I hate to admit this, but I fell for the hype of the Benchmade bugout. I think I used it 3 times, & never used it again. It’s just too small, & light for me. Some things I just want to have a little more weight, for important things like a knife. If the bugout ever fell out of my pocket, it was so light, I wouldn’t know it.
yea some knives are that way. Personally my favorite bench made is the griptillion mini if I am going with a folder. anything more than that is needed I whip out a full tang fixed blade
Like the sawyer filters better than the grayl!!!