GEAR REVIEW - Camelbak® Hyrdolink™ Filter Adapter
The
Camelbak® Hydrolink™ Filter Adapter is a great idea in principle but we have some issues with it.
Essentially the
adapter is a kit of three pieces. One attaches to the end of your reservoir line. A second inserts in the output hose of your favorite trail water filtration system, and a third connects valve on the reservoir line to the mouthpiece.
One great feature of the kit is that the quick release valve on the end of the reservoir (item A below) has a valve allowing you to stop the flow of water. This is extremely useful for topping off a partially filed reservoir. The reason is that it solves the one drawback of the Katadyn quickconnect™ fittings which is that the quickconnect™ fittings lack a valve and can thereby get you wet if you accidentally drop the reservoir tube after you have filed it or if you are toping off an already partially filled reservoir.
As previously indicated in the Hiker Pro review, the
Katadyn quickconnect™ fittings can get your backpack rather wet if you aren't very careful when filing an already partially filed reservoir or if you drop the reservoir line after filling it. The
Camelbak® Hydrolink™ Filter Adapter definitely solves the problem with the
Katadyn quickconnect™ fittings but it has a serious problem of its own.
SERIOUS ISSUE ( no 90°drinking ):
But a serious issue we have with the kit is that the part meant to be in the end of the reservoir (part C above) doesn't allow for the 90 degree bend that we have come to love from the camelbak hydrolock. It also renders your existing camelbak® hydrolock™ worthless. (At least if you follow Camelbak's instructions).
OUR WORKAROUND:
We have come up with an excellent workaround for this drawback. Unfortunately, it involves purchasing two of the Camelbak® Hydrolink™ Filter Adapters and using two of the Part E's above. You then have to cut the tubing from your reservoir to the existing mouthpiece and use a second Part E.
Essentially the workaround allows one to disconnect the
Camelbak bite valve area from the reservoir and filter directly into the reservoir.
The lack of the ability to return to a
90° drinking angle that we are used to is a definite flaw in the kit. But for 6 dollars we feel the closable valve would be worth it by itself. So buying two kits isn't the end of the world to have spill-free direct reservoir filing while maintaining the
90° drinking angle that so many of us have come to love.
Essentially the adapter is a kit of three pieces. One attaches to the end of your reservoir line. A second inserts in the output hose of your favorite trail water filtration system, and a third connects valve on the reservoir line to the mouthpiece. 
Essentially the workaround allows one to disconnect the Camelbak bite valve area from the reservoir and filter directly into the reservoir. 
