NAVIGATE THIS REPORT
PRODUCT INFORMATION
| 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.)
|
More information about the product
can be found in my
Initial
Report and
Field
Report.
SUMMARY
The Meridian Design AquaStar Plus effectively purifies water. During
the testing period, water was obtained from a variety of sources,
including some rather unappealing sources. I did not contract any
water-borne infectious diseases and I did not experience any stomach or
intestinal distress after drinking water purified with this system. The
system has no discernable effect on taste and does not remove
particulate matter. I used the unit in air
temperatures as cold as 21 F (8 C) without apparent failure. The
AquaStar Plus is a fast, easy-to-use method for cleaning water in the
field.
FIELD CONDITIONS
During this final testing phase, the AquaStar Plus has experienced a
range of conditions: some oddly mild for this time of year, some normal:
- Mild temperatures (upper 40s F [8 C]) and drizzly rain
- Relatively cold temperatures (21 F [-6 C]) with snow and strong
winds
Water was obtained from the following sources during this phase of the
test:
- Running rivers and creeks
- Small, standing pond
- A really Great Lake
FIELD ACTIVITIES
During the long-term testing phase, the AquaStar Plus was used during
the following activities:
- Trail running on the North Country Trail in Michigan and at the
local Audubon preserve, sometimes carried in a daypack water-bottle
sleeve, sometimes carried in hand
- Backpacking on the North Country Trail in Michigan
- Car camping in conjunction with extensive day hiking sorties on
the North Country Trail in Michigan
- day hiking in a variety of state parks in Michigan, including
dune
areas, sometimes carried in a daypack water-bottle sleeve, sometimes
carried in hand
FINAL IMPRESSIONS
In my field report, I mentioned that I still had several questions I
wanted to address:
I've not yet used AquaStar in cold
temperatures. At what
temperature does the unit fail?
Although some of my co-testers experienced unit failure at cold
temperatures, I did not. The coldest temperature that my unit was used
in was approximately 21 F (8 C) air temperature (I did not have a
thermometer that I could use in the water, so I am not certain of the
water temperature).
How
long will the batteries continue to hold out?
I estimate that during the final phase of the test, my unit saw
use for approximately 7.5 gallons (28 L) of water. The batteries did
not fail during that time period, and I am still on the original set. I
don't find that odd, because the manufacturer suggests the batteries
will last through 16 gallons (61 L)...and I estimate I've used the unit
for approximately 13 gallons (49 L).
Am I able to find batteries near my
favorite trailheads?
I was not able to find the batteries (type 123) at any of the little
stores that are near my favorite trailheads. However, these aren't the
type of stores that one would expect to carry this type of battery,
either. I had no problem finding these batteries near my home.
How is the continued durability of
the product?
Despite my personal klutziness, I have not injured the UV-C
tube. The polycarbonate bottle has sustained slight scratches, nothing
more than one would expect from this type of bottle.
Overall, I was very pleased with the unit's performance. Here's a bonus
for people who might be squeamish about floaties in their water:
according to the AquaStar site, all new units are shipping with a nylon
mesh prefilter. Voila! No floaties!
THIS IS COOL
- I love the lantern feature. Whenever I can make one piece of gear
act as two, I'm a happy camper
- Gets rid of viruses -- something my filter does not
do (most don't)
- It's so fast! While other folks wait for the chemicals to kick
in, I'm sipping away
THIS COULD BE IMPROVED
- I love to read about my gear. I wish a 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
Thank you to Meridian Design, Inc. and BackpackGearTest.org for the
opportunity to test this water purification device.
