Brunton Multi-Navigator MNS GPS with Neoprene Carrying Case

Amazon.com Review
You can find less expensive GPS units than Brunton's Multi-Navigation System GPS, but you won't find another that offers as many functions. In addition to its Global Positioning System (GPS), the unit features a barometer, an altimeter, and a compass. It's also a rugged, expedition-quality device that's waterproof and will function accurately in temperatures ranging from minus 13 degrees to 158 degrees.

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

Amazon.com Product Description
Get a 12-channel GPS receiver, digital compass, altimeter, clock, and barometer in one device with the Brunton Multi-Navigation System GPS unit. It's perfect for expedition conditions when you need a low-power device--such as for backpacking, hiking, snowmobiling, kayaking, and search and rescue operations, and more.

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.

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.

Amazon.com Review

You can find less expensive GPS units than Brunton's Multi-Navigation System GPS, but you won't find another that offers as many functions. In addition to its Global Positioning System (GPS), the unit features a barometer, an altimeter, and a compass. It's also a rugged, expedition-quality device that's waterproof and will function accurately in temperatures ranging from minus 13 degrees to 158 degrees.

Pros:

Multiple, accurate functionality
Runs off only 2 AAs
Rugged

Cons:

No innate mapping capabilities

Amazon.com Product Description

Get a 12-channel GPS receiver, digital compass, altimeter, clock, and barometer in one device with the Brunton Multi-Navigation System GPS unit. It's perfect for expedition conditions when you need a low-power device--such as for backpacking, hiking, snowmobiling, kayaking, and search and rescue operations, and more.

Customer Reviews:

What's with the Amazon Price.......2004-04-15

How is it that Amazon, who claims to have lowest prices, is selling this GPS for $399.00, when Brunton, the manufacturer, has a suggested retail of $359.00?! I've seen this unit listed at $299.00 else where, and that includes shipping. Try Kooters.com

Discontinued But Still Nice.......2004-01-26

GPS technology changes so fast, it can be mind-boggling keeping up. When this unit was first released around four years ago, it was ahead of its time. Its ruggedness, integrated compass, altimeter, and barometer made it an excellent navigational tool.

Now, of course, we have the Garmin GPSMAP 60CS, which has upped the ante. The Garmin also costs around four hundred bucks plus, though, and you can buy the Brunton product probably for half as much at this stage. It all depends on how many bells and whistles you want in your GPS. There does come a point when too much can be too much; most of the time I just want to know where I am and where I'm friggin' headed, I don't need "games" on my GPS (or my cell phone for that matter).

The Brunton MNS is still quite functional and useful. I've had mine for over two years, and it has never failed me. Its user interface is not the most intuitive, but remember that the MNS was designed, like most Brunton products, by outdoorspeople FOR outdoorspeople. If you want a nice screen with cute dots and cute icons, this is not the GPS for you; it was designed to be more of a tool than a toy. On that score this 12 channel GPS definitely delivers.

Software version 2.16 adds a few more functions (including a very handy "area calculator" that tells you the acreage or hectarage inside polygons created via routes/waypoints) common to most GPS devices these days. The enclosed neoprene case is also handy.

If you're a semi-experienced GPS user who doesn't need all of the functionality of the more recent GPS devices, give this one a try. It should still be quite good for at least another couple of years, despite its shortcomings (no WAAS, no external antenna, a still good but outdated internal antenna, scant support from third-party mapping software).

MNS For Mountain Hiking.......2002-09-28

I have used the MNS for about a year hiking in the mountains of Colorado. I decided I needed a GPS because I started climbing mountains without well-defined trails; I climbed the wrong mountain several times. I used the Brunton MNS in parallel with the Garmin Etrex Vista for about a month.

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........2002-05-21

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.......2002-03-21

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

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