The SteriPEN JourneyLCD, the latest product from Hydro-Photon Inc., is a handheld water purifier that zaps microorganisms swimming in suspect water with an ultra violet light.
It’s different from the company’s Adventurer model — which I review here in depth: thegearjunkie.com/gear-review-steripen-adventurer — in that the JourneyLCD has an easier-to-understand interface.
Want to purify a batch of water? With the JourneyLCD, here’s what you do:
1. Push the big gray button to turn it on.
2. Stick the glass tip into your water.
3. Watch as the timer ticks to zero on the LCD screen.
That’s it.
Once the timer hits zero — counting down from 48 seconds for 0.5 liters (and 90 seconds for 1 liter) — a smiley face graphic appears. Bing! Water is ready to drink.
Above: the full kit; cost: $129.95.
How does this magic wand work, you ask? According to the company, the ultra-violet-light-emitting device destroys the DNA of microorganisms, making them unable to reproduce and cause illness. It zaps microbes, viruses, and bacteria, including the well-known likes of giardia and cryptosporidium.
Use the SteriPEN JourneyLCD in the woods. Use it in a foreign place to purify suspect tap water. Either way, the product is a quicker and easier solution than the alternative of chemical treatments or a pump.
Available: Now
Price: $129.95
Contact: www.steripen.com
