The purpose of this message is to identify the water filtration systems available to us at lower than retail prices, provide decsriptions of various units, and indentify interest in making this coop order. In order for us to make this coop order, a minimum of 10 orders must be made for any of the following products: Katadyn drip filter, Katadyn combi-filter, Katadyn pocket filter, and the KFT expedition filter. In other words, a total of 10 orders of any combination of the four is required. We will need to commit to such an  order by Friday, November 5, 1999. All payments will need to be received no later than November 10, 1999. I anticipate delivery of units to me by December 1, 1999 and I can overnight units-- if this is deemed best.

The dealer wishes to remain anonymous as the price offered to us would result in the loss of his dealership/distribution of Katadyn and other products. I will be the sole contact for this coop order.

Katadyn Pocket Filter
Active ingredients: Ceramic (.02 micron)
Effective against: Bacteria, Protozoa, Cysts
Output: 1.2 qt/liter per minute
Filter Life: up to 12,000 gallons (per filter)
Service Life: up to 39,000 (for unit having used three filters)
Weight: 21 oz.
Warranty: Lifetime
Note: This unit is great for a bug out bag.

Katadyn Combi Filter
Active ingredients: Ceramic (.02 micron)/ Activated Coconut Carbon
Effective against: Bacteria, Protozoa, Cysts, and Chemicals
Output: 1.2 qt/liter per minute
Filter Life: up to 12,000 gallons (per ceramic filter) and 60 gallons (per carbon filter)
Weight: 22 oz.
Warranty: One year
Note: It is recommended that you purchase several to dozens of spare carbon filters ($US 15 each). A "sink add on kit" is also available ($US 30). This unit is great for a bug out bag.

Katadyn Ceradyn Drip Filter
Active ingredients: Ceramic (.02 micron)
Effective against: Bacteria, Protozoa, Cysts
Output: 1.2 qt/liter per minute
Filter Life: up to 12,000 gallons (per ceramic filter)
Weight: 10 lbs
Warranty: One year
Note: Pour the water in and let gravity do the work for you. This will not fit in a bug out bag. Some people add their own carbon to make this a chemical filter too. You'll have to get the carbon separately.

KFT Expedition Filter
Active ingredients: Ceramic (.02 micron)
Effective against: Bacteria, Protozoa, Cysts
Output: 1 gallon per minute
Filter Life: up to 12,000 gallons (per ceramic filter)
Weight: 12 lbs
Warranty: One year
Note: Missionaries and Relief Organizations use this big filter for large groups.

Spare Parts and Misc. (only for those ordering one or more of the above units)
+ Pocket Filter Ceramic Element
+ Combi Filter Ceramic Element
+ Combi Filter Ceramic Element
+ Combi Filter "Sink Add On" Parts
+ KFT Ceramic Element

Note: If we achieve the minimum of 10 orders in a timely manner, we will be able to let others purchase replacement potable water elements (for Katadyn units). Those who are only interested in replacement elements should indicate their interest on this thread and return to this thread to see if this will be possible.

Instructions:
If you are interested in any of the four units, please signify your serious interest to me as soon as possible, by replying to this email with the key words, "Katadyn Coop Orders," in the subject of the email. Send email to faryna@groupmail.com.

Thank you for your attention.

Sincerely,
Stan Faryna

Can't get a good price on something? Click here and check out the cooperative preps thread.

Got 14 days of preps? If not, get started now. Click here.

Click here and check out the TB2000 preparation forum.

-- Stan Faryna (faryna@groupmail.com), October 24, 1999

Answers

I am not allowed to publish the prices on a public forum, but I can email people the prices if they are interested. If I understand it correctly, the prices for these Katadyn units are very good: one is unlikely to find similar Katadyn or British Berkefeld units for an equivalent price. With permission granted, I can say this much: in the case of the expedition unit, a savings of hundreds of dollars is offered.

If I understand the advantages and disadvantages of the units correctly, in general... Katadyns are a better filter for biological problems with its .02 micron ceramic element. The Katadyn Pocket Filter and Katadyn Combi-Filter are small enough for bug out bags, but takes work to filter water. The amount of work required for drip filters and the pump filters reminds me of the the difference of effort required between a Country Living grain mill and a Back to Basics grain mill. In other words, you got to work to get your water out of a pump filter, while all you have to do is let it drip in a drip filter.

If you are looking at a drip filter (whether Katadyn or Berkefield), both seem inadeqaute for chemical filtration, but I have some untested ideas on how to improve that deficiency in either the Berkefield or the Katadyn drip filter. If we get enough interest to make this order, I'm getting both a combi-filter for bugging out and a drip filter. Once I get the drip filter, I can proceed to conduct experiments on chemical filtration.

One clear benefit of getting one of these Katadyn units (if the price is right) is that we'll be helping other people to get filters that may have been unaffordable to them otherwise. We may also be able to help people get spare parts for filters that they already possess.

Sincerely, Stan Faryna

-- Stan Faryna (faryna@groupmail.com), October 25, 1999.