Physical Water Conditioner vs. traditional salt tank

[slash007]

Anyone use a physical water conditioner instead of a salt system to get soft water? I was thinking of using a PUR Clean type system to avoid having to install a water softener, but was then told about physical water conditioners. Anyone use one or have any thoughts regarding this method? The purpose would be to be able to add spot free rinse and not have to have soft water.

Thanks.

 

[PaulLovesJamie]

I'm certainly not a water treatment expert (hopefully one will chime in), but it is my understanding that conditioners and softeners have different purposes:
physical conditioners - reduce scale, which improves heater efficiency and life.
softeners - remove salts, which improves performance of soaps. And in the case of SFR, reduces stress on the RO membrane.

 

[slash007]

The main thing I need is for something to reduce stress on the RO membrane. I was told that the physical conditioner would, but I wanted to check here as I didn't think so.