Initial Report

Initial Report: ULA H2O Amigo

My e-mail: bpskids@atlanticbb.net
Name: Jodi Cornelius
Age: 42
Height: 5'4"/1.6 m
Weight: 160 lbs/73 kg
Gender: Female
City: Derrick City
State: PA
Country: USA
Date: August 3, 2004
My area of the country: Northwest Pennsylvania

My Background: I have been backpacking for 2 years now and before that I car camped quite a bit. I consider myself somewhat new to backpacking and am on my way towards becoming a lightweight packer. I tend to use a Hennessey Hammock since my only tent is a bivy tent. I prefer the hammock to a tent as the hammock leaves me swinging gently in the breeze with no hard spot from rocks on the ground. Nor do I need to dig troughs for my hips and shoulders (side sleeper) so I can practice LNT (Leave No Trace) much better.

Product Information:

Manufacturer: Ultralight Adventure Equipment
Manufacturer URL: http://www.ula-equipment.com/
Year of Manufacture: 2004
Product: H20 Amigo
Listed Weight: 7.5 oz/213 g for the filter OR 9.5 oz/269 g including stuff sack and flush bulb
Filter Weight: 3.25 oz/92 g
Water Bag and Hose Weight: 4.75 oz/135 g
Stuff Sack: 1 oz/28.35 g
Flush Bulb: 1 oz/28.35 g
Total Packed Weight: 9 oz/255 g
Total Packed Weight with Flush Bulb: 10 oz/283 g
Listed Water Bag Volume: 1.25 US Gallons/4.73 Liters Capacity
Actual Water Bag Volume: 1.25 US Gallons/4.73 Liters Capacity
Listed Filtration Rate: 1.7 Liters/1.80 US Quarts per minute (based on a full water bag)
Actual Filtration Rate: 1.9 Liters/2 US Quarts per minute (based on a full water bag)
MSRP: $40

Standard Features:
Durable, easy to fill water bag
In-line on/off valve for flow control
100+ gallon filter life
Silt settling chamber
Easily backflushed in the backcountry
No pumping required!
Remove filter and use as a shower!
Durable 1.9 oz ripstop bag
Reinforced draw cord holes
Stainless steel grommets will not rust
Silicone hose will not deteriorate
Filter cartridge easily replaced
Storage sack included

Technical Info:
2-micron filter pore size
Activated coconut carbon core
Media within filter deters growth of bacteria, prolonging filter life
Filter removes microscopic pathogens, toxic chemicals and dissolved solids while also improving taste and appearance of water

Features from the Website:The H20 Amigo is a 7.5 oz/213 g gravity feed water filtration system (and shower!). Inline filter effectively removes 99.8% of waterborne contaminants to assure quality drinking water. Reinforced drawcord handles allow for easy filling, carrying, and hanging of the water bag. In-line on/off valve controls water flow. Pre-filter captures large contaminants, extending filter life. (9.25 oz with stuffsack and flush bulb).

Initial Impression: Well, once I finally received my package, I was totally excited to pull out the next toy, I mean, piece of gear, that I get to test. Inside the box was a bag containing my filter along with two sheets of paper, one of which was the "invoice" and a personal thank you for my interest in testing his product (which I thought was very nice). The second sheet contained the instructions for using the filter and getting the most life out of the filter.

Usually, I just jump right to messing with the gear I get without reading instructions first. However, since my only water filter experience has been the PuR Hiker pump filter, I decided it would be in my best interest to read before playing, I mean, testing.

At first, I was looking at the instructions wondering where the heck the filter was supposed to go in the line of things. I was about ready to say something in my report about being more clear about it, when I realized that by looking at the filter, I could tell it was supposed to go at the end of the silicon outlet hose rather than between the bag and the hose. It's very intuitive if you simply pay attention to what you are looking at. Although I have just admitted out loud to being "blonde" I did manage to figure it out by my little self.

The instructions are very clear as to what you should do, which is extremely nice! I set up the filter and back flushed the filter as recommended. This was an easy thing to do. However, unless I am on an extended trip (i.e. more than 2 or 3 weeks on the trail) I would not carry the flush bulb with me.

Next, I loaded the bag with water. Although I probably won't use it for 1.25 US Gallons/4.73 Liters worth of water at a given time, I was curious as to whether or not it would hold more than what they state. Upon testing, I did discover that if you try to put more than the stated amount into the bag, you will have a mess on your hands. The water will spill over the edges.

The bags' stitching is good. No loose threads, nowhere do they appear to be weak. The stainless steel grommets in the water bag are set tight. The water bag edges are reinforced with black edging and the straps have 2 plastic "handle grips" so you can't accidently grab the cinch straps the wrong way. Grabbing the handles wrong would make a total mess by dumping water all over. Knowing exactly what to grab is a plus as any blonde will tell you that it is best to have CLEAR indications as to what you should and should not grab.

I am looking forward to testing this filter. I especially like the idea of a cool-down shower without having to "splash" in the creek trying to cool off.

Test Plan: I will be hiking in many wooded areas in the Allegheny National Forest. I will test the filter for durabilty. Strength of the grommets to hold up to 1.25 US Gallons/4.73 Liters of water. Ease of carrying the bag loaded with water. Quickness of the bag to dry. How well the sil-nylon stuff sack keeps my gear dry.

Things I like: You don't have to pump for water. Convenience. Lightweight.
Things I dislike: Wait time for water to filter. One of the pluses of a hand pump.

Read more reviews of Ultralight Adventure Equipment gear
Read more gear reviews by Jodi Cornelius

Reviews > Water Treatment > Filters > ULA Equipment H2O Amigo Water Filter > Jodi Cornelius > Initial Report

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