Rather large and awkward as multi-purpose tools go, the NaviTool was the economy model in the Schrade "Intelligent Equipment" line that also included the
i-Quip. Neither were very popular at the time. Despite the clumsiness of its design, the NaviTool embodies a quality of construction one came to expect from the old Schrade Cutlery company.
Housing
Construction of the NaviTool is basically made up of two seperate components. There is the compass module, containing a first rate liquid-filled compass, and the main housing, which contains everything else. The two pieces connect by means of a quarter-turn twist lock mechanism.
The main housing is made up of two panels of aluminum sheet, sandwiched around a rubber-and-plastic center section. (Note that the metal panels on the NaviTool have a black anodized finish, while those on the
i-Quip have matte aluminum finish)