Finding your latitude and longitude is only one way to use the Multi-Navigator. It's easy to set waypoints--simply save and label locations with names such as "car" and "cabin." You can then use the Multi-Navigator to lead you to that waypoint by pointing in the direction of the location with its internal compass and displaying the distance in miles.

To test it, we wandered out into the fog-enshrouded trails of a nearby state park until we were thoroughly turned around. We were then able to use the Multi-Navigator to easily find our way back. Its distance and direction are as the crow flies, so there were a few turns and twists, but it kept us pointed in the right direction.

The Multi-Navigator's barometer is able to provide a rough forecast for the upcoming 12 hours, offering predictions such as Sunny, Partly Cloudy, and Storm Warning. Although not as precise as our local meteorologist, the Navigator did accurately predict clouds moving into our area. (Brunton recommends staying in the same location for at least six hours for the most accurate weather report.)

The Multi-Navigator also features an altimeter, accurate to within three feet, which aids in the waypoint settings (the Navigator included the distance we'd have to travel up or down to reach our desired waypoint).

Numerous other features--such as time, date, temperature, and sunrise and sunset times for location--round out the Navigator's comprehensive set of navigation features. If you need a rugged, high-quality aid for your global expedition, or if you just routinely get lost in the woods, the Multi-Navigator is worth consideration. --J. Curtis

Pros:

• Multiple, accurate functionality
• Runs off only 2 AAs
• Rugged

Cons:

• No innate mapping capabilities

The user-friendly Multi-Navigation System combines special Brunton features like the StraightHome button (which can get you back to your starting position with one touch), the TrueMagnetic electronic compass (which can help guide you when you can't get a GPS signal), and the MagniPointer (which can save a position with a simple point and press of a button). This unit also stores up to 10 routes consisting of 1,000 waypoints with forward and reverse route.

The continuously logging barometer displays 24-hour weather trends and indicates if it will be sunny, partly cloudy, cloudy, rainy, or stormy. It continues to log while in sleep mode. The high-performance altimeter sensor, independent of satellite connection, is accurate to 3 feet. It has an elevation-deviation alarm and stores waypoints with accurate altitude. The digital compass has an accuracy of plus or minus 2 degrees and resolution of plus or minus 1 degree.

The Brunton Multi-Navigation System doesn't consume a lot of power, enabling it to run for up to two weeks on two AA batteries. It continues navigating even in emergency low-battery situations and when satellites are out of view. This unit also records the peak, average, and low speeds over your course, and provides a bearing to a waypoint while completely stationary. It has a data input and can download route and waypoint files from optional GlobalMap Planner software with the optional PC interface cable.

The Multi-Navigation System is waterproof and operates in extreme temperatures (lithium batteries are recommended in low temperatures). It comes with a wrist strap and an instruction manual in English and French.

Product Description
Whether in the tropical rain forest or exploring the Arctic, the Multi-Navigator has been designed to withstand the most extreme weather conditions. The Multi-Navigator is designed so the built-in True-Magnetic™ Compass can work independently of the GPS receiver function, allowing you to navigate without the assistance of satellites yet update your position when needed. This unique feature allows for amazing battery conservation; giving you weeks worth of battery power rather than hours worth.

The MNS is more accurate than advertised when finding positions. When entering a waypoint on the "way out" of a daylong hike, the MNS usually registered "found" within 5 feet of the landmark that I recrossed and recognised on the "way back." The MNS can acquire a signal in light forests near tree line, but not in the heavy forests of Ponderosa Pine at lower altitudes. The heavy smoke generated by the fire burning West of Colorado Springs this Summer killed satellite acquisition.

The altimeter is not accurate to within three feet, even given that the weather is clear and constant. It is of equivalent accuracy to my Sunto Vector altitude watch which is rated accurate to 10 feet; both must have the same internal mechanism. If I start climbing at 10,000 feet and climb to 14,000 feet, both devices will register about 13,900 feet. Interestingly enough, both devices always register low, which allows me to intuit the real altitude. On that closed loop between 10,000 and 14,000 feet, both mechanisms will register within 10 feet of 10,000 feet on return to the starting point.

The MNS mechanism is capable and has kept me from getting lost several times when weather on the return trip became bad.

The Tracklog function has little value because there is a very small limiting number of collected waypoints; a user is bound to miss that bend in the trail or special landmark that he would enter if he were setting waypoints manually.

The MNS is somewhat more accurate than the E-Trex Vista in finding positions. The E-Trex is far more user friendly in entering data. It might take twice as long to manually enter a route using the MNS vis-a-vis the E-trex.

I wear reading glasses. I cannot view the E-trex map or any of the displays without my glasses. I can view all the displays on the MNS without glasses. This was the ultimate reason I kept the MNS and returned the E-Trex Vista.

The Map on the Vista is so tiny as to be of little value. When I hike, I print a map of my route from my mapping software on plasticized paper; this printed map is far more convenient than the tiny map on the Vista.


Buying second hand Brunton.   May 21, 2002
Philip Zimmermann (Geneva, Switzerland)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

My aim was to get a GPS with no map capability in order to maintain good habits when navigating with visual checkpoints. The low battery consumption was also an important matter. The Brunton unit I got from Finalcall fulfills all my expectations. The very large screen, additional features such as the compass, the altimeter or the barometer in addition to a full GPS unit are perfect. I will use it mainly when making cross-country travel in a Cessna 172 as a complementary tool to classical navigation instruments. The service given by Finalcall has been perfect.


GPS Nut   March 21, 2002
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

After receiving the unit, I tried all the features it has. Wow!
It is an amazing gps. Great. It performance exactly as it said on the specifications especially under the thick forest trees. Without this I could be lost in the jungle during one of my weekend jungle trekking trip. Unbelievable. It even track signal under tiles roof in my house.
I have another gps of other brand (I wouldn't mention it brand name) it is of no use in that conditions eventhough it has all the other features which I think is great. These are good when I use it in lake and sea.But totally useless under thick foliage without satellites signal.
Trekking under the compass mode is great when there isn't any satellites signals. It saves battery. You wouldn't get lost in any conditions.Great feature!
Don't go jungles (from my part of the world a lot of jungles here are virgin jungles) trekking withou this gps. You can leave others gps at home at least it save you space and weight in your backpacks. Believe me.
TQ
GPS NUT


Some type of acquisition glitch.   July 21, 2001
3 out of 7 found this review helpful

There is some type of acquisition glitch with this unit. It occured to me today when I was doing a GPS site survey of a noted East Coast Navy Shipyard. With steel vessel components and buildings a plenty, the MNS would occasionally lose GPS fix. After moving to a "clear" area where initial acquisition was obtained the MNS would just sit there and try for many minutes to re-acquire. After shutting the unit off, then powering back up the MNS re-acquired almost immediately. This may be an artifact of using the device in a shipyard, however in some instances 3D fix was maintained while walking underneath the ships while they were on the land level facility. In this respect the MNS functioned perfectly in the shipyard with some variations between 3D and 2D acquisition, only a few lost tracks occured. Given the steel ships, cranes, and buildings the MNS really performed very well except for the re-acquisition thing. I intend to try to get the MNS to do this in a different environment. For the 2-3 times I lost fix, only once did I have to reset the GPS unit (power off-then on again). Overall I give the highest rating giving the conditions of the testing I made with it. Tonight I intend to take it with me when I visit a small island about 5mi offshore, we will see how it does in a marine environment.