Introduction

SteriPen, www.Steripen.com ,  a water sterilization and filtration devices designed for travel and hiking uses.  

The AquaSafeStraw that has been specifically specifically designed for travelling, hiking and disaster situations.  There product that is safe for all to use, irrespective of health conditions, known and unknown, due to its chemical free filtration system. It is a sturdy complete single unit.

In this comparison, we are looking at AquaSafeStraw against the SteriPen’s Classic.  The other SteriPen products, namely Traveller, Adventurer, Protector and JourneyLCD are all essential the same device.  The major difference is the casing and colours.
    

Filtration/ Purification/ Sterilization Methods

The SteriPEN Classic, Journey and Adventurer uses ultraviolet (UV) light to sterilise water.  It uses C wavelengths UV, short wave length, to kill bacteria, protoza and cysts.

The AquaSafeStraw uses a polyethylene membrane that filters down to 0.2 micron, exceeding the US CDC recommendation of 1 micron to effectively remove Giardia and Cryptosporidium.  AquaSafeStraw is free of potentially harmful chemicals. The AquaSafeStraw will not allow water to pass through the device when the filter is no longer effective; this is a safe guard for you, ensuring that you know when to replace the straw. The AquaSafeStraw is a long life, reusable, sturdy, high volume device, safe for all to use.

Reliability and state of mind

Both the SteriPEN and AquaSafeStraw have past extensive testing to verify their specification when the product is in prime condition. 

There is an indication on the SteriPEN once it stops working.  When the battery goes flat there is a battery alarm.

The SteriPEN relies on the UV light to kill the bacteria, protoza and cysts.  Theoretically, this is sound, though the water needs to be in close vicinity to the UV, along for a sufficient duration to destroy the bacteria, protoza and cysts.   For example water droplets on the side of the bottle, above the water line, will not be sterilized. Are you willing to take the risk?

The AquaSafeStraw the membrane becomes congested and water stops flowing, therefore a clear indication that the product has reached its limit.

Cost per gallon/litre

SteriPEN Classic costs $79.95 per unit (excluding battery) and can purify 100 litres 26.4 gallons) per set of batteries. The Adventurer and Journey (including first set of batteries) each is priced at $99.95 and can purify 50 litres per set of batteries.   Batteries for these units are typically around $4 per battery.  The Classic requires 4 batteries and the Adventurer and Journey man requires 2 batteries are required.   That’s $8 for 50 litres of water, or 16 cents per litre + the purchase price of the unit, ie $79.95 or $99.95.

Compared to 7 cents is a litre or 26.5 cents per gallon for the AquaSafeStraw, TOTAL cost (no batteries to purchase or on going replacement)

Portability

AquaSafeStraw is light weight 24 grams, 21cm long unit, 1.8cm diameter. The product can fit in your pocket.

The 3 discussed SteriPEN products have similar dimensions.  They are at 18-20 cm (approx 7-8 “) length, 4 cm (1.6”) in width and 3 cm (1.3”) in depth  and weighs 11O grams. 

Multi-part

The SteriPEN products require batteries to be carried around to use should the batteries fail. Being an electronic, multi part device, including a light storage needs to be of a high consideration in comparison to your sturdy single part unit of the AquaSafeStraw.

Ease of Use

The SteriPEN products work well provided you follow the operating instructions and be very careful of using the correct size container to sterilize the water. Care must be taken not to have higher volumes of water than specified. The UV needs to be in close vicinity of the water to be effective.  Time is needed for the UV process to take place.

Water droplets suspended on the side of a glass will not be sterilized by the SteriPEN products (As specified in the User’s guide).  It only takes less 0.2 ml (smaller than a drop of water) to become  ill from Giardia, Cryptosporidium or a Gastroenteritis bacteria

Water you drink from an AquaSafeStraw is clean water filtered to 0.2 microns, which exceeds by a factor of five the US CDC requirements. This is an instant result.

Speed to access of water

The time to obtain sterilized water from all the SteriPEN products is 38-48 seconds for ½ liter and 90 seconds for a liter.  

The AquaSafeStraw is immediate for both usage and storage.

Product Safety

Care must be taken when using the SteriPEN devices as the UV radiation can damage your eyesight or skin if the unit is turned on inadvertently close to your eyes or skin

The AquaSafeStraw cannot hurt your eyes or skin.

Bacteria and Virus removal properties

SteriPEN products sterilises the water.  Whereas the AquaSafeStraw removes the bacteria, protoza, Giardia and Cryptosporidium.  The AquaSafeStraw filters out all Bacteria as well as Cryptosporidium and Giardia above to 0.2 microns exceeding the America’s Centre of Disease Control and prevention (www.cdc.gov) recommendation of filters to a minimum of 1 micron.  The AquaSafeStraw exceed this by a factor of 5.

AquaSafeCorp is about to release two new products, AquaSafeBottle and  AquaSafeStraw+, that filters down to 0.01 micron below the size of viruses. 

How can AquaSafeStraw be so cost effective and be an effective water filtration system?

AquaSafeCorp have taken state of the art materials and technologies, along with advanced manufacturing techniques (patented) to produce a cost effective advanced product.

Product Characteristics

Steripen 

AquaSafeStraw

Price (RRP)

$ 79.95- $99.95US

$44.95 US

Capacity Volume of water

50-100 Litres/  set of batteries

500 litres /132 gallon

Volume cost of filtered water

0.16 cents/litre/batter set (plus purchase price of unit)

7 cents/litre
$0.265/gallon

Filtration levels

N/A
(UV radiation)

0.2 micron

Reliability of removal of all Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Protoza

No details

99.9999%

Exceeds CDC recommendations

No

Yes

Approved by relevant authorities

Yes

Yes

Multiple parts

Yes Batteries

No, Sturdy single unit

Filtration levels

N/A
(UV radiation)

0.2 micron

Chemicals

No

No

Satisfies US Army recommendation for water filtration

Yes

Yes

Ease of Use

Easy

Very Easy

Reputable manufacturing standards

Yes

Yes

Longevity

Yes

Yes

Stop working once filtration stops working

N/A

Yes

Portability/size

20.cm long x 4 cm  x 3 cm
110 grams

21 cm long x 1.8 cm diameter
24 grams