Posted: 10/18/2010 5:21:22 AM EDT
| I recently purchased my first pack that can accommodate a hydration system. I was debating between a Platypus and Camelbak, but with the 50% discount on all Nalgene products at their on-line store this Thursday I was thinking of picking up their 2L hydration system (or this one). Anyone have thoughts or feedback on the Nalgene hydration system gear? Would be 50% off and free shipping. |
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Quoted:
IDK, what kind of adapter does it need to fill from a filter? One of the reasons I use Platypus is that I can pump right from my filter with no adapter. Great question, and I have no idea. Anyone know the answer to this? Edited to add: You mean something like this? |
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Not really. I shy away from systems with those quick connect fittings. IDK if it takes a standard Nalgene bottle adapter that some filters come standard with, or not. |
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I sell all of these for a living. that being said. I think you will like the Nalgene CXC Bladder the best. If it is a not a CamelBak brand Pack stay away from Camelbak bladders till March/April They have a whole new bladder coming out eraly spring. They new 2011 CamelBak Packs with the new bladder will be out on shelves in the next few days. Infact our shipment went out on Friday. The stiff black handle on the CXC works great keeping the bladder up-right and not floppy. Platy makes great bladders but I also like Source Bladders out of Israel. They make the Bladder for Osprey and Gregory Packs as well.
Ask me more if you need it. |
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I have both platy systems and camelbak, and have no complaints with either.
what I like- camelbak: the big mouth is nice for stuffing ice into, which rocks. Also nice to be able to easily scrub that rascal out. platy: I like the fact that the tube screws in. You can replace it with a cap and just use the bag for water storage with no hassle. It's super light, and rolls up small & neat. what I don't like- camelbak: just using the camelbak bladder for storage (with the quick-disconnect fittings) kind of sucks. You have this big nipple thingy hanging off the bag, and the only way I have to shut it off is to put an on/off switch (a bulky gadget) on the output. If they have a better way, I haven't seen it. platy: while the fact that it's super light is nice, I question its durability (even though I've beaten the crap out of mine and it's held up fine). No built in bite valve cover. I bought a neat set of little adapters from Camelbak that attaches to both systems. What this means is that I can hook them together in just about any configuration I want, or pump from my filter directly into either though the hose. My current configuration of choice is: I carry the camelbaks (2x3L) when I pack lots of heavy gear or if I anticipate ditching my gear and running around during the day with just water and bare necessities. A little paracord and some gadgets lets me attach them to my big pack in a couple of different ways depending on my needs. I carry the platy bag rolled up in my bag for extra storage (I'm a water whore). My fast-and-light setup is a smaller pack (brand spankin' new MAP, which I'm itching to take out) with just a platy bag. I haven't screwed around with a camelbak/MAP combo. |
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I don't use mine as much as a lot of the guys here, and I've never used the Nalgene bag, so I suppose disclaimer applies. With that said, after having a camelbak bladder leak and both soak all of my shit and leave me with not much water, I trashed it and bought one of MSR's Hydromedary bags. So far it's been bomb-proof. They're more expensive and a little heavier, but the top screws right into the output on my water filter and made in USA. I like mine a lot. YMMV, my $.02, I don't work for them or sell them, etc -Slice  |
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Quoted: IDK, what kind of adapter does it need to fill from a filter? One of the reasons I use Platypus is that I can pump right from my filter with no adapter. same reason i ran platypus's for the longest time. I havent had any of mine break,bust etc. Then again all of mine were purchased in 03/04. The newer ones seem flimsy to me. ive had decent luck using 3l hydrastorms for a bit now, and my cbak ones do well to. i carry 2-3 extra platys rolled up inmy ruck to fill while in camp so i dont have to make 35 trips back and forth to get water. |
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Quoted:
i carry 2-3 extra platys rolled up inmy ruck to fill while in camp so i dont have to make 35 trips back and forth to get water. This is where protus and I have always been on the same page. "Soft" water containers rock because you have the capacity to carry a ridiculous amount of water if you need to (without costing a lot of space/weight). On the MSR bags, I never really looked at them until recently, and having done so I kind of like them (they look durable, yet easy to deal with), plus they make some damned big ones (up to 5L I think). Next time I am feeling water-whorish, I think I am going to try them out. Quoted:
IDK, what kind of adapter does it need to fill from a filter? One of the reasons I use Platypus is that I can pump right from my filter with no adapter. I found a little set of adapters from Camelbak with different sized barb-adapters on each end. The kit also had a "hydrolink" adapter as well, so I can hook either to the hose of my filter and pump right through the drinking tube. Works great, and I can transfer water from bag to bag with it as well if needed. As much as I hate hauling around little pieces to lose, they fit in my filter bag and are damned handy. |