These look like an excellent - albeit pricey - survival tool. Has anyone had any experience with this device? Do they have some sort of lanyard loop? I'm thinking along the lines of hanging this beasty around my neck, utilizing a wire saw/drinking tube combination ala 'Ranger Rick's survival necklace'. I'm assuming the compass and whistle are somehow attached to the rest of the unit when not in use? I'm also assuming that the hidden Bic lighter compartment could just as easily hold a 'Spark-Lite' and some 'Fire Tab' tinder?

I don't have one, but I noticed there are two versions offered? One had a digital compass, the other a dry compass. I think the whistle is just attached to the lanyard and the compass locks into the main unit...

I wasn't aware that there was a digital version, although that might explain the tremendous price differentials I've seen between the various online retailers offering the Navitool. I think I'd be apt to stay with the low-tech battery-less rendition for the sake of reliability.

Near as I can tell - based solely upon the one grainy picture I have of this device - the compass appears to attach over top the built in signal mirror, presumably protecting both items. I can't see how or if the whistle is attached, though I can't hardly imagine they'd just leave it to dangle loose on a cord. <img src="images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Navitool? Yes, I've seen one.

Thoughts? Not many. Well, none positive. I kept picking at the thing, looking for the 'Sharper Image' logo I KNOW must be there. As far as I am concerned, it proves the old saw - when one thing tries to do everything, it will do nothing well. I got a place for my Bic - my pocket. Ditto, my knife, and the $$ I saved by not buying one of those things. Leatherman, compass, Spark-lite and wire saw in the daytimer (you would be amazed what a zip-up tablet sized Eagle Creek travel binder will hold!) <img src="images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> True to my Eagle Scout past (prepared), and no one knows but me.

.....CLIFF

Well, it LOOKED like a good idea anyway. <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

I like its looks a lot, but it's way too pricey.

I've also seen one, at an ersatz "outdoor show" at the local mall - it was more like urban yuppies roughing it in their backyard. The Navitool is a beautiful piece of work, dazzling in the many thingies, doo-dads and what’s-it’s contained thereon, but ... for the price, the thought of losing it was enough by itself to persuade me from even thinking of buying one.