SteriPEN Freedom makes life easier on the go

So the wanderlust bug has bitten you – and bitten you hard. While traveling in most cities has its own set of issues to deal with (pickpockets, getting ripped off), getting fresh and clean water should not be a problem at all, but for those who prefer to rough it out somewhere where the animal count is higher than that of humans, you’d best be well prepared. What happens when you’ve run out of clean drinking water, leaving nothing but that rather murky looking pool? I guess this is where the SteriPEN Freedom comes in handy – this is touted to be the smallest, lightest and first rechargeable UV water purifier available, making it capable of disinfecting up to 16 oz (0.5 L) of water in just 48 seconds.

Classified as a piece of hiking and camping equipment, this could be a potentially life-saving tool. Relying on a germicidal UV light that is capable of destroying up to 99.9% of bacteria, viruses and protozoa, 48 seconds is all it takes for the SteriPEN Freedom to handle 500 ml of water. There is a green light gauge to inform you on whether it is safe to drink the water or not.

Need to juice it up? Just plug it into a USB port on a computer, power outlet or a compatible solar charger. A single charge can deliver up to 40 treatments, while the UV lamp life has been rated at 8,000 treatments of 16 oz (0.5 L). In addition, it doubles up as a flashlight for those dark and lonely nights. Expect the SteriPEN Freedom to arrive from this fall onwards for $119.95 a pop.

Edwin Kee
Categories: Gadgets