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Product Features
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Product Description
Amazon.com Product Description
A member of Katadyn's Backcountry Series of water filters, the Vario Multi Flow Water Microfilter is the first water filter that is adjustable for different conditions. It combines two leading technologies into one high-performance pump: ceramic for a longer life and pleated glass fiber for easy operation. The Vario offers a high output and also contains a replaceable carbon core to keep the water tasting fresh.
Key Details:
- Output: Up to 2 quarts (2 liters) per minute
- Cartridge Capacity: Up to 500 gallons (1875 liters)
- Weight: 15 ounces
- Height: 6.5 inches
- Hose Length: 36 inches
- Includes prefilter, cleaning pad, and deluxe carry bag
About Katadyn
Katadyn of Switzerland has been producing high quality portable water systems since 1928. Their history has been one of innovation and durability. Katadyn products are used by militaries, health organizations and outdoor adventurers world-wide. No other water system provides higher quality or longer lasting performance. Katadyn is the global leader in portable water treatment. With subsidiaries in the United States, Germany, France, and Singapore; Katadyn develops, produces, and distributes high quality products which are used whenever safe drinking water isn't available--for travel, camping and humanitarian operations.
From Backpackgeartest.org
The Katadyn Vario Microfilter is part of the backcountry series filter line. The manufacturer indicates this filter line is good for all round use. The manufacturer claims that this filter meets the industry standards for reduction of bacteria (99.9999% Klebsiella terrigena) and protozoan cysts (99.9 % Giardia and Cryptosporidium)...read the entire review
Product Description
The Vario combines individual efficiency with the simplest possible handling. The technology it uses consists of three filter levels: a high-performance glass fiber filter, a ceramic pre-filter that can be adjusted indiv
Product Details
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
151 of 155 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
I agree with consensus of prior reviews that it's good all around, faster than other models, but has some issues w/back pressure & leaking if you pump too fast or while using the "faster flow" setting instead of "longer life". The faster setting bypasses the ceramic filter (your biological nasty filter) and uses only the charcoal (some bio, chemicals & taste, like your average Brita filter).
I bought this instead of Katadyn's Pocket Microfilter (found for $179 on some sites at the time) for 4 main reasons:
1) ability to attach directly to Nalgene bottle. I'll be using this primarily while living overseas in areas w/questionable tap water, so this is a nice convenience. Don't think the Pocket filter allows this.
2)2-stage filter w/activated charcoal to remove chemicals, pesticides & bad taste. This option isn't available w/the ceramic-only Pocket Microfilter, and again was something I want specifically due to where I'm going. If chemicals aren't an issue where you'll be, this aspect might not matter to you.
3) Double-piston design for faster output & ease of use compared to the Pocket Microfilter. Pumping action was simple & ergonomic.
4) Cost. $80 is great compared to $180+. I may regret that mentality if/when this breaks, but for now it's a good deal.
Three things so far that I'm not excited about:
1) Although they state that the paper carbon "cartridge" is good for 500 gallons, the instructions say that the activated charcoal INSIDE the cartridge should be replaced about every 50 gallons or every 6 months, depending on chemical content/taste of the water. I felt deceived after discovering this omission from the reviews I read. Not printed anywhere in their online documentation, but REI does mention it. Without the charcoal, I might as well have purchased the more expensive Pocket filter w/lifetime warranty & just use a separate PUR/Brita pitcher for taste & chemicals (which I'll probably do anyway)... (The pocket filter's ceramic filter has a life of 13,000 gallons, compared to the 1000 gallons of the Vario's ceramic pre-filter).
2) The back-pressure & leaking issues mentioned by people in other reviews seem to be true, but mainly occur after removing the "source" tube to flush the system. After a few pumps, handle resistance increases & it wouldn't lower fully. I have to unscrew the pump head to release the pressure, which of course splatters water everywhere. This could potentially contaminate your filtered water if you're not careful.
3) This doesn't seem like the simplest system to use, clean & maintain. Several O-rings & moving parts to deal with. Also, the plastic housing may or may not hold up over time. We'll see.
Since I need a filter for travel/living overseas where the water is allegedly contaminated both w/chemicals and biological stuff, I'll keep this around & replace the charcoal until it breaks. After I get back, I'll probably get the more expensive filter for camping/backpacking use. This one is a bit large too, but hopefully will be ok.
I bought this instead of Katadyn's Pocket Microfilter (found for $179 on some sites at the time) for 4 main reasons:
1) ability to attach directly to Nalgene bottle. I'll be using this primarily while living overseas in areas w/questionable tap water, so this is a nice convenience. Don't think the Pocket filter allows this.
2)2-stage filter w/activated charcoal to remove chemicals, pesticides & bad taste. This option isn't available w/the ceramic-only Pocket Microfilter, and again was something I want specifically due to where I'm going. If chemicals aren't an issue where you'll be, this aspect might not matter to you.
3) Double-piston design for faster output & ease of use compared to the Pocket Microfilter. Pumping action was simple & ergonomic.
4) Cost. $80 is great compared to $180+. I may regret that mentality if/when this breaks, but for now it's a good deal.
Three things so far that I'm not excited about:
1) Although they state that the paper carbon "cartridge" is good for 500 gallons, the instructions say that the activated charcoal INSIDE the cartridge should be replaced about every 50 gallons or every 6 months, depending on chemical content/taste of the water. I felt deceived after discovering this omission from the reviews I read. Not printed anywhere in their online documentation, but REI does mention it. Without the charcoal, I might as well have purchased the more expensive Pocket filter w/lifetime warranty & just use a separate PUR/Brita pitcher for taste & chemicals (which I'll probably do anyway)... (The pocket filter's ceramic filter has a life of 13,000 gallons, compared to the 1000 gallons of the Vario's ceramic pre-filter).
2) The back-pressure & leaking issues mentioned by people in other reviews seem to be true, but mainly occur after removing the "source" tube to flush the system. After a few pumps, handle resistance increases & it wouldn't lower fully. I have to unscrew the pump head to release the pressure, which of course splatters water everywhere. This could potentially contaminate your filtered water if you're not careful.
3) This doesn't seem like the simplest system to use, clean & maintain. Several O-rings & moving parts to deal with. Also, the plastic housing may or may not hold up over time. We'll see.
Since I need a filter for travel/living overseas where the water is allegedly contaminated both w/chemicals and biological stuff, I'll keep this around & replace the charcoal until it breaks. After I get back, I'll probably get the more expensive filter for camping/backpacking use. This one is a bit large too, but hopefully will be ok.
99 of 101 people found the following review helpful
I recently went to the Ecuadorian Amazon and spent a week living in the rain forest with indigenous people. I went on long treks and relied on the Vario to deliver drinking water from streams I passed on the way. The fact that I never got sick is a testament to the effectiveness of the Vario.
It was easy to hook up directly to my CamelBak, so there was no chance of contamination. Whenever I used it, I had it in the "longer life" setting where you pump a little less water per minute, but it passes through both filters inside. I've used several other filters and the speed and ease which I was able to fill up my 100oz Camelbak is far superior to any of them. The pumping motion is easy to use and it pumps a lot more water even on the "Longer life" (slow) setting than other filters.
Overall I think it is a fantastic product that I would recommend to anyone traveling to locations where you don't know if you can trust the water.
It was easy to hook up directly to my CamelBak, so there was no chance of contamination. Whenever I used it, I had it in the "longer life" setting where you pump a little less water per minute, but it passes through both filters inside. I've used several other filters and the speed and ease which I was able to fill up my 100oz Camelbak is far superior to any of them. The pumping motion is easy to use and it pumps a lot more water even on the "Longer life" (slow) setting than other filters.
Overall I think it is a fantastic product that I would recommend to anyone traveling to locations where you don't know if you can trust the water.
70 of 75 people found the following review helpful
The inlet connector broke after the first day of our 7 day canoe trip. We are not rough with our filters as we have had our other filter for several years with no issues like this. We just wanted something that wouldn't clog so quickly.
We spent the rest of the trip either floating in the water next to or leaning over the side of the canoe with the filter submerged to enable us to pump clean water. Also, there is a little plug under the ceramic filter that will stop all water flow if it gets pushed in. This seemed to happen if the pressure in the filter built up by pumping too quickly. We had to disassemble and reassemble the filter several times to correct this issue.
When the filter was working, it was fast and filtered very well. The ceramic pre-filter was great. The water was clean, clear and tasted great. If this filter was more durable I would give it 4 or 5 stars.
Hope this helps anyone in the market for a water filter.
We spent the rest of the trip either floating in the water next to or leaning over the side of the canoe with the filter submerged to enable us to pump clean water. Also, there is a little plug under the ceramic filter that will stop all water flow if it gets pushed in. This seemed to happen if the pressure in the filter built up by pumping too quickly. We had to disassemble and reassemble the filter several times to correct this issue.
When the filter was working, it was fast and filtered very well. The ceramic pre-filter was great. The water was clean, clear and tasted great. If this filter was more durable I would give it 4 or 5 stars.
Hope this helps anyone in the market for a water filter.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Not perfect, but stellar customer service saves the day!!!
I grew up drinking from streams and lakes with impunity. I probably still would be, except now I have a family. I guess it made my "better safe than sorry" side come out. Read more
Published 18 hours ago by G. Foltz
Broke the second time I used it. Never made it to the hike.
The input barb on this filter does not have a quick disconnect like the Katadyn Hiker Pro. I like the ceramic disc the Vario has (which the Hiker Pro does not), but the input barb... Read more
Published 12 days ago by Jake
Great Product
This product is a great product. filters very fast and is pretty easy to put together and take apart. water tastes great
Published 18 days ago by jweezy
Easy to use
Looked at a lot of purifiers, and tried a few different ones owned by hiking buddies before deciding on the Vario. It packs nicely and is very lightweight. Read more
Published 22 days ago by Bufftester
Katadyn Water Filter
Used this product out in remote alaska to filter stream water. Performed flawlessly with a great flow rate. Read more
Published 1 month ago by AkSalmonman
Have not used it yet, but it is just what I was looking for!
Got this at a steal of $62.00 when the sale was going on. I have NOT used it yet but everything looks good to go. i can't wait to try it out! So far very happy! Read more
Published 1 month ago by JUCD VPR
Works Great
I purchased this to use on camping, fishing, hiking and river trips. There is an abundance of water around my area and I wanted something I could use on the go. Read more
Published 1 month ago by woody
Awesome filter
Not too heavy and lets you get the smallest trickles off of the mountain streams, plus you can drink it right away. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Joshua A. Marvill
Stuck without a filter
I purchased the Katadyn Vario thru Amazon in Summer 2011 for a trip to Isle Royale, MI. The Vario worked great the first two days- while we were filtering Lake Superior water. Read more
Published 1 month ago by David W Otto
MSR MiniWorks VS Katadyn Vario - Vario Wins
After doing TONS of research I'll keep this straight and to the point. While the MSR MiniWorks is a great filter, and does the job with "filtering" it has only one layer and... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Brian Griffiths
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