https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/reviews/lifestraw-go-filtered-water-bottle

Like most CNN Tested product "reviews", this shades a little more towards product promotion that impartial review. But it does discuss some of its shortcomings as well as some alternatives.

I have a few of their original model Lifestraws, a Sawyer Mini, a couple of Seychelle filtration water bottles, and a really nice, all metal NATO-spec Katadyn pump filter for small groups. Plus some expired Aquatab water purification tablets (question: do they really go bad?).

But I do like the idea of a self-contained unit that you can drink from while on the move say, say during a bug out. Rather than having to lie down/kneel next to a stream or pond every time you need a drink. 

I'm also intrigued by the Grayl Ultrapress the article mentions at the end which, unlike the Lifestraw Go, also filters out viruses.

I almost made my own version of that bottle using a Sawyer Mini filter and a Camelbak bottle.

Only reason I didn't is because I didn't want to cut down the Camelbak bottle's straw to fit the Sawyer filter.

I may just bite the bullet and do so anyway since I can buy replacement straws for the Camelbak bottle pretty easily.

Quote from: 12_Gauge_Chimp on August 08, 2023, 05:14:20 PMI almost made my own version of that bottle using a Sawyer Mini filter and a Camelbak bottle.

Only reason I didn't is because I didn't want to cut down the Camelbak bottle's straw to fit the Sawyer filter.

I may just bite the bullet and do so anyway since I can buy replacement straws for the Camelbak bottle pretty easily.

If you do, post pictures!  That would be an interesting project.  

Even if it's not something someone wants to do ahead of time, knowledge of it could be useful in an emergency situation if you learn you're going to have to be on the move and need a way of filtering on the go without spending too much time around a water source.

Quote from: majorhavoc on August 08, 2023, 06:04:58 PM

Quote from: 12_Gauge_Chimp on August 08, 2023, 05:14:20 PMI almost made my own version of that bottle using a Sawyer Mini filter and a Camelbak bottle.

Only reason I didn't is because I didn't want to cut down the Camelbak bottle's straw to fit the Sawyer filter.

I may just bite the bullet and do so anyway since I can buy replacement straws for the Camelbak bottle pretty easily.

If you do, post pictures!  That would be an interesting project. 

Even if it's not something someone wants to do ahead of time, knowledge of it could be useful in an emergency situation if you learn you're going to have to be on the move and need a way of filtering on the go without spending too much time around a water source.

I might just go ahead and do that.

I'll probably do it at some point in the coming weeks, but when I do, I'll post pics.

Well, I bit the bullet and made my version of this bottle using a Sawyer Mini filter and a Camelbak water bottle.

I didn't take pictures of the whole process since it was just me cutting a straw with a razor knife. Kinda boring.

Anyway, I measured the straw next to the Sawyer filter and determined where I needed to cut it in order to best fit the filter/straw combo in the bottle.

After some fine tuning, I ended up with this.
You cannot view this attachment.

I did a test fit and found that the filter sat a little too high from the bottom of the bottle. So I cut a small bit from straw that came with the filter and that extended the whole set up enough so that it could reach any leftover water at the bottom.

The bottle cost me like 5 bucks at a "going out of business" sale and I think the filter was 15 bucks at Walmart. So for 20 bucks and about five minutes worth of work, I end up with a homebrew version of the bottle Majorhavoc posted.

Was it worth it ? No clue.

Was it a fun project ? Yes.

Would I do it again ? Probably not. It's likely easier to just buy the premade filter bottle instead.

Quote from: 12_Gauge_Chimp on August 12, 2023, 05:39:00 PMWas it a fun project ? Yes.

That's its own reward right there.  Thanks for sharing.  These fun little projects nurture important skills about making do and coping with any contingency.  It was an interesting little exercise now, but could be a life sustaining imperative in an disaster.  Seeing members create things using their own ingenuity is very inspiring.

Quote from: majorhavoc on August 12, 2023, 05:51:36 PM

Quote from: 12_Gauge_Chimp on August 12, 2023, 05:39:00 PMWas it a fun project ? Yes.

That's its own reward right there.  Thanks for sharing.  These fun little projects nurture important skills about making do and coping with any contingency.  It was an interesting little exercise now, but could be a life sustaining imperative in an disaster.  Seeing members create things using their own ingenuity is very inspiring.

Absolutely. No fewer than lots of my education came from threads and write ups just like this back at the motherboard, both teaching me something but more importantly teaching me to think like this!
👍

The funny thing is I've had this idea brewing in my head for a long time (at least four years), but it took this thread to get me inspired enough to make my own version of the LifeStraw bottle.

The author of this article really hits the nail on the head, in my mind.  The essential disadvantage of the LifeStraw: you have to be at a supply of water in order to use it.  The LifeStraw Go (or Chimpov's DIY solution) solves that problem. 

To be fair, the original LifeStraw's shortcoming isn't quite as black and white as this guy makes it out to be.  Bring the suspect water with you, either in a wide mouthed container, or pour it into a cup.  Then you can use an basic LifeStraw wherever you are. 

But he does have a point.

Temu routinely sells bottles with filter for less than $15. Makes for a good backup or an enclosed kit where everything is in the bottle until needed. Never any reason to drink from the ground. That is what canteen cups are for.