Manufacturer	Meridian Design, Inc.
Web site	http://www.uvaquastar.com
Assembled in	USA
EPA Est.#	82431-CO-001
Method of purification	UV-C rays
Claimed weight	8.5 oz (241 g)
Actual weight	8 oz (227 g)
Claimed time until water is cleaned	80 seconds
Actual time until water is cleaned	84 seconds (Note: I timed the amount of time the UV light stays on. I do not have access to laboratory equipment to actually measure the presence [or lack] of pathogens.)

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS

The product arrived with just a business card in the box. I was surprised there was no documentation in the box, but many of the system's instructions are printed right on the bottle.

The system consists of a typical-looking, clear-plastic, 1000 ml (34 oz) backpacking water bottle. However, there is writing on the bottle and a long tube hangs from the blue cap into the bottle itself. This is where the UV light is housed. There is a black, plastic string on the top and it is very slightly elastic. Also on the top is the "on" button, a screw with a tiny metal loop and a warning label. The label warns one not to look at the UV light and to keep the system away from children.

The bottle is marked with measurement graduations, from 100 ml (3 oz) to 1000 ml (34 oz). According to these graduated markings, the minimum fill for proper water treatment is 300 ml (10 oz).

This product also has a built-in LED light. The LED does not sterilize the water, but acts as a built-in lantern. It's clever, actually...press the start button twice and the LED lights up for just under 20 minutes. (The amount of time is printed on the bottle, but the printing on my bottle is smudged. The online user's manual claims 15 minutes. I timed the light at much longer than that.) The LED's brightness seems fades as the time expires, with a sudden, marked decrease in light at just past 18 minutes. Additionally, once the LED is on there is no way to turn it off until it times out.

The bottle's instructions tell me to fill with water (between 300 ml [10 oz] and 1000 ml [34 oz]), hold down the button to turn on the UV light, then turn the bottle upside down and right-side up while the light is on. The entire process takes about 80 seconds, according to the bottle.

That, along with an additional caution related to the UV light, is all of the information the bottle contains.

Because no documentation was received with this product, I reviewed the Web site further to learn more about the product. The addition of the LED light is new in this version. Additionally, the UV tube is now sufficiently robust as to be carried outside of the bottle (when compared to the original AquaStar). This gives the LED portion of the product additional usefulness: it can be carried as a lantern or used as a flashlight. According to the Web site, the LED is one of the brightest Nichia CS grade 5mm LEDs available.

According to the online user's manual, AquaStar Plus requires two C123 batteries, which should last for 18.5 gallons (70 liters) of water. Also according to the owner's manual, the bottle provides protection against the UV-C rays that the light emits.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE
The directions for use are totally printed on the bottle:

Fill [bottle] with 300 ml (10 oz) to 1000 ml (34 oz) of water.
Hold button for 2 seconds and release to start cycle.
Invert bottle and swirl during cycle.
Wait about 80 seconds of cycle to finish.

Then, in smaller type:
See user's manual for more details.

These additional details, according to the user's manual, could be important information. For example,

If the water you use is below 50 degrees F (10 degrees C), you need to run two cycles.
If using unclear water, you may want to use another method as well.
If the light in the button burns red, the cycle failed. (I did not even notice a light in the button until I read this in the user's manual.)

TEST PLAN

ACTIVITIES, LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS
The AquaStar will see usage under a variety of conditions during the test. I currently have planned multi-day trips to central Kentucky, the Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce. Additionally, a late-fall trip to Alabama and Tennessee is currently under consideration. The purifier will see extensive use in Michigan, during day hikes or trail runs of up to 50 miles (81 km), weekend backpacking trips, and more. The purifier may be tested with a variety of water conditions:

relatively clear water, from moving rivers, streams, etc.
silty, turbid lake water with lots of mineral sediment (from sand, stones, etc.)
water with lots of organic matter (algae, leaves, etc.)
scummy, still pond water
swampy areas
tannin-heavy water

The UV filter may be used during a variety of weather conditions, including:

light rain to heavy thunderstorms
snowy, icy conditions

Due to the manufacturer's suggestion of using multiple methods when water is unclear, I will additionally filter my water through either a bandanna or through a plain, white paper coffee filter when I encounter unclear water.

QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
Function
This is a tough one. From a scientific point of view, I will not be able to prove that AquaStar works - I do not have testing facilities to check for the bacteria, protozoa and viruses that it is supposed to kill. I can only report that I did not - or did - get sick while using AquaStar. That doesn't really prove anything - I occasionally drink right from streams, etc. and do not get sick - even without water treatment. However, I will be very interested in testing functionality in different ways:

How reliably does the system work? Does it require a system reset (described in the online owner's manual) often?
How long do the batteries really last? How much water can I really sterilize per set of batteries?
Does AquaStar affect taste in any way?
The owner's manual indicates that AquaStar may not work in water temperatures lower than 35°F (2°C), and that the unit will shut off if the water is too cold. Is this an accurate temperature, or does AquaStar fail at temperatures higher than the manufacturer indicates?
Anecdotally, do I become ill after using AquaStar as my sole source of water treatment?

Convenience

I notice that the manufacturer offers a link to a source for buying replacement batteries. Are extra batteries easy for me to find locally? What about in little towns closer to the trails I frequent?
Are the batteries expensive?
How well does AquaStar fit with my backpacking style? How about in my trail running or day hiking?

Durability

The manufacturer indicates the UV tube is fragile and offers a lifetime replacement program (at cost to the user). How fragile is the tube? If I use it properly, will it stand up to my use? (I tend to be rough on gear.)

THIS IS COOL

I love the lantern feature. Any time I can make one piece of gear act as two, I'm a happy camper
Kills viruses -- something my filter (and most filters) does not do

THIS COULD BE IMPROVED

I love to read about my gear. I wish the user's manual had come with it...but I suspect that it will for the full production models. My understanding is that the testers received some of the very first AquaStar Plus models available.

REVIEWER BIO

Name	Lynne Durham
Gender	Female
Height	5' 10" (1.78 m)
Weight	153 lb (69 kg)
Age	43
Email	lynnedurham AT yahoo DOT com
Location	Benton Harbor, Michigan USA

BACKPACKING EXPERIENCE

I have hiked and car camped all of my life, mostly in the relative flatlands of the lower and upper peninsulas of Michigan, but also in areas east of the Continental Divide, such as South Dakota, New England, Kentucky, Florida, Ohio, Indiana, and more. I have been backpacking since 2002. I keep my pack weight to 25% of bodyweight. However, I am always trying to lighten my load further to enhance my comfort and enjoyment as I like to hike big mileage. I also put in extensive miles trail running and road running, so I am always looking for lightweight solutions for carrying or treating water.

My most-often used water treatment method is filtration. I have also used chlorine tablets and iodine tablets.

Thank you to BackpackGearTest.org and Meridian Designs for the chance to evaluate this very cool water purifier.

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Initial Report

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