View Full Version : What compass do you use and why?
rapidboy
27-07-2004, 20:25
What compass do you use and why?
I can navigate fa little from what i learned in the scouts and Duke of Ed. etc. but that was a long time ago and im a little rusty so im looking for a compass and advice on books ,website's etc. to learn from.
Cheers
RB
This is the compass I use:
http://www.silva.se/outdoor/products/prof_com54.htm
I don't think it's worth skiming on essentials like a compass, but a first compass it isn't.
Here's a good site for OS maps:
http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/freefun/nationalgrid/nghelp1.html
Good site on navigation:
http://geology.isu.edu/geostac/Field_Exercise/topomaps/compass.htm
:chill:
Carcajou Garou
27-07-2004, 21:02
I use a Silva Ranger for map work, long range and a Silva Huntsman for bush work. A few years ago I aquired a GPS to make it easier will canoeing in different waters but mainly relie on compasses and maps.
just a thought
TheViking
27-07-2004, 21:30
Hi...
This may sound weird, but I use a little watch-compass.... :wink: (S.E.R.E.)
It measures 2 x 2 cm. And only shows the directions. When my dad and I walk in Sweden or canoe, we usually just follow the map. :wink: :biggthump
Silva Ranger 15 (with a clinometer, because that's what the geologists at the Royal School of Mines in London all bought and I got in on a bulk buy).
http://www.silva.se/outdoor/products/img/com_rang15.jpg
One of the best compasses going for outdoor sports. Not as good as Adi's type 54 for taking precision sights, but not far off. Very robust with a dial in declination adjustment for easy use. I trust this like I'd never rely on a GPS !
I almost always use my Global Suunto Ranger compass (center) or my Silva of the same sort, (not pictured).
http://www.knifeforums.com/ubbthreads/files/256579-CompassNut.jpg
I also like using the old Sportsman forestry compass on the right. Old style reverse cardinal points makes for rapid bearings.
I recommend a ranger style compass for 4 reasons: easy to use, accurate bearings and plotting, declination adjustment, and the mirror is useful for other than compass purposes including signaling and junk in the eye etc.
The matchbox type is great for easy carry and most of the above reasons except the ancillary uses of the mirror.
I do not recommend the Brunton 8099 pictured (far left)...it has been quite unreliable for me at high altitude. Capsule has been replaced 3 times due to huge bubble development at altitude. Also since it is a compass card type instead of a needle a huge bubble prevents rotation of the card making an unusuable compass. I like the design, but reliablity is more important to me. Altitudes of 7000' or greater have ruined this compass every time. I simply do not take it high anymore.
Hi Schwert. I recognise the compass in the centre though not by name. It's a high end professional (surveying ?) tool with a serious price tag.
I'd be interested to hear your opinion of it ?
Thanks,
I like the Suunto DP-65 global as well. It is made by Recta. You can adjust the declination which is very important to me.
http://photos.imageevent.com/boynhisdog/travelingon/CompassOnMap.jpg
I also like the gun site style system. I find it easiest to sight with.
http://photos.imageevent.com/boynhisdog/travelingon/Sighting.jpg
At 57 grams it is very light weight for what you get. It works in all 5 magnetic zones on earth so no need to have more than this one for all of your travels. I do like the Ranger style as well but this one is my favorite. I always take a dedicated signal mirror along anyway so shaving and the like are easy with it. Like Schwert said, you cannot use the mirror on this compass for anything but shooting a bearing.
i used to have a recta DP10 similar to the one in bahdog's pic's, but it has the direct sighting prismatic feature similar to the silva compass that adi posted. the DP10 is the swiss army issue compass.recta DP10 (http://www2.recta.ch/FMPro?-db=recta%5fproduct.fp5&-lay=cgi&ID%5fproduct%5fclass=1&ID%5fproduct%5fsubclass=1&ID%5flanguage=e&-skip=3&-find=&-format=/recta/e/products/detail.html&-Token.1=1&-Token.2=1)
i don't know what happened to it, but ihaven't seen it for a couple of years. :(
my main compass at the moment is a recta compass similar to the ranger with the mirror, it has a dry capsule so no need to worry about bubbles.
http://www.recta.ch/images/products/DS50.jpg
my spare recently got smashed, so i'll be retiring the ranger clone and getting a new frontline compass.
the best value for money compasses have to be these
http://www.recta.ch/images/products/DS40.jpg
recta again, but the mirror folds out flat to give you an extra long base plate for taking bearings on the map. they used to do a couple one called the scout, and one called the cadet.
both silva and suunto seem to be too expensive for what they are. the swiss made recta compasses are superb quality wise, yet reasonably priced.
if you're thinking of going abroad, many UK bought compasses won't work, due to the variation in the earths magnetic field. recta have a global needle system, a comapass needle on a gimble. which will work all over the world.
cheers, and.
im looking for a compass and advice on books ,website's etc. to learn from.
http://www.learn-orienteering.org/old/
http://www.tracklogs.co.uk/cgi-bin/publ/user.cgi?obj=home&page=cmpfaq
http://www.countrywalkers.co.uk/mapandcompass.html
http://www.chasetrek.org.uk/tutorial/compass.html
http://www.vanderbilt.edu/Army/land%20navigation/sld001.htm
http://smct.armystudyguide.com/Skill_Level_1-AUG2003/lnt10.htm
http://www.princeton.edu/~oa/manual/mapcompass3.shtml
I use the Silva Ranger 15TDCL (Declination adjustable and clinometer) sighting compass, just because almost every web site I visited and book I read (including 'Bushcraft' by RM) recommended it.
bushwacker bob
28-07-2004, 00:20
SCHWERT,you've done it again.I'd be very disapointed if you EVER got lost :rolmao: :rolmao: :rolmao: :rolmao: :rolmao: :rolmao:
Alick,
That center compass is a superb instrument made by Brunton. This Pocket Transit is used by geologists and others who need an accurate line etc. It also uses the reverse cardinal points like a forestry compass (notice E is on the W and W is on the E...cool eh?). I do not consider it a great tool for most wilderness activities simply due to its weight and complexity. Accurate, neat and offers a number of other features that make for good fun, angle determinations to figure out tree height etc, great sights, bubble level inclinometer, several ways to get bearing, global needle, armored case...all cool, but unnecessary for most (all) my purposes.
At somewhere around $300 this is not a compass I would recommend to anyone. As an example of superior old technology it is hard to beat though. I love this compass and what it represents, but my Ranger(s), matchbox, or Sportsman compass go with me to the field.
Edited to add....take a look at Adi007's 3rd link above...it is very good at explaining the use of the Brunton compass....nice overall site for navigation too....thanks for posting that :You_Rock_
Here are two other links that cover the Brunton also. The second one is especially good at covering some of the unique operations of the Pocket Transit.
(See Project 1)
http://www.geology.iupui.edu/academics/classes/g303/
http://www.gsu.edu/~wwwgeo/pages/fieldCamp/bruntonCompass.htm
Bushwacker....well I have been turned around a few times...(quote stolen from someone like Daniel Boone).
I love compasses. I am sort of ashamed to admit that that photo only represents the diversity of my models not the whole sheebang.
I was looking at one made in the UK on BB yesterday....hard to stop thinking about it... :shock:
Over here we have some excellent choices at very good prices. Recta which is a relatively recent arrival along with Suunto who makes Silva branded and Suunto branded ones for US sale, and Silva which makes Nexus or Brunton branded ones for US sale and Brunton which makes Brunton branded ones for US sale gives us confusing but plentiful choices...not even considering the old Leupolds and military ones which can also be found for good prices.
In my view a first compass needs to be from a good reliable brand and be declination adjustable....everything else is gravy. Mirrored ones are just easier to be accurate and semi-self-protecting which is nice. If I did not wear contact lenses, I would consider the matchbox compass to be the ultimate companion. I use the Ranger mirror for eye work so my preference almost always goes to it for field use.
I use a ranger 3 silva but thats because thats the one I was given, though It sems a good one for starting with
mojofilter
28-07-2004, 15:44
I was looking at one made in the UK on BB yesterday....hard to stop thinking about it... :shock:
.
Im finding that hard to forget as well. There is also this http://www.sirs.co.uk/G150%20Marching%20Compass.htm
tenbears10
28-07-2004, 17:29
I've got the same suunto mirror compass as in schwerts pic. It is very similar to Alicks silva 15 and I also used mine on my geology course. They are great for everything from general map reading to field mapping which needs to be more accurate. I found out what the clinometer was for at Uni as well but you wont notice it if you don't need it.
The army seem to be the most insistant on accuracy but I never really got my head round mils rather than degrees, I can see the reasons though.
Back to the question the best way to learn RB is practical experience even if it's only taking barings in the street it is so much eaiser to do in a classroom. Get out whenever you can and when you know the way test yourself with a compass and you can be sure of your map reading without getting lost.
I use a Silva Ranger 15 TDCL, as do most geologists! It does stuff we need with the clino as well as pointing the way.
David
I use a Silva ranger 15 but also have a Silva Sere 40 on my watchstrap.
http://www.silva.se/pg_swe/img_prod/com_sere40watch.jpg
I use a very similar one to Adi's except it doesn't have the precision sighting mechanism but it also has grad scale marks in both degrees and mils. Brilliant compass that has lasted for years.
http://www.interhike.com/images/products/bm_ds40.jpg
fifteen quid here (http://www.interhike.com/cgi-bin/shop/singleproduct.pl?image=bm_ds40 .jpg)
cheers, and.
ANDYLASER
28-07-2004, 21:37
Does anyone have any experience of the
silva 8040 (http://www.outdoorgarage.com/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Silva_Voyager _8040_846.html)
TheViking
28-07-2004, 21:44
Oh, I just looked up and found a photo of my little sere compass.... :wink:
http://www.compassupplier.com/LWC20-3.htm
Mine is slight different in the north arrow but else exactly the same. :biggthump
I use the sliva type 3. its simple cheap and does the job. Not sure i need to spend a fortune on a compass?
ChrisKavanaugh
29-07-2004, 04:14
I have an older Silva Ranger. They had just switched the compass rose to the current black plastic. My local backpacking shop had just sold me a arctic rated down bag in a pea green color at discount. Nobody wanted something that warm and bright blue or red bags were the in style. So, this quick thinking salesman offered the older, aluminum bezeled compass for $5 along with the bag. The bag lasted 25 years until this past spring. I ceremonially freed the down insulation. Within a day the local bird populations all sported white goosedown and brown sycamore twig tweed nests. The old Silva is still in first rate order. I also have a button compass in my PSK and a Recta World on order.
Schwert, thanks for the observations and the link :biggthump
Chris, love the idea of letting the down loose, so obvious but I'd never heard of it before. :super:
My compass is a trusty Silva Ranger 3.
http://www.outdoorgear.co.uk/PIX/BIG/592007.jpg
It sits round my neck on it's lanyard with a whistle and It works great !!
I've fancied one of those small watch strap compasses but i'm a bit concerned as to their accuracy :shock:
Anyone know if they do a watch strap for the NATO brass button compass?
i got a recta DP6 greta compas, than again it is my first and only "expensive" compas i own. The reason for the choice, it was free :)
I've got a common or garden Silva in Mils , needs replacing soon cos there's bits floating in it , must be the needle bearing corroding , must se if I can be sly and swap it for a new one when no one is looking . I have my gps too which , of course is no good for taking a bearing unless you are moving :chill:
I have my gps too which , of course is no good for taking a bearing unless you are moving :chill:
... unless, thatis, you get one with a built-in digital compass. The Garmin eTrex Vista is one receiver which can do this.
I use Silva key chain compass. It has nothing, but compass and carbine to link with keys. Very convenient and I used it even during my last trip to Kazakhstan. In general, it is simple, cheap, reliable and looks good. It covered all my requirements, except one occasion. I also have Silva Ranger with mirror, but I bought it mainly as memory about my military service in artillery (it looked like artillery compass, but different scale). I used it only once when I had to find direction of a route in Kazakhstan with good precision. I think my keychain compass could do the job as well, but Ranger gave me good precision quicker. :super:
Regards,
blizzard_beast
02-08-2004, 16:55
i use the Silva Expedition 4, used it when i was in the Cadets, and it was (and still is) accurate and reliable.
rapidboy
03-08-2004, 20:26
Thanks for the feedback guys.
I have narrowed my choice to the SILVA RANGER ULTRA or the SUUNTO MC-2G GLOBAL NAVIGATOR.
Both are about the same price ,which would you choose?
RB
Hmmm, tough choice ... I think it would be the Silva for me because I've never had a problem with one.
Thanks for the feedback guys.
I have narrowed my choice to the SILVA RANGER ULTRA or the SUUNTO MC-2G GLOBAL NAVIGATOR.
Both are about the same price ,which would you choose?
RB
Silva of course, I prefer swedish qualiy :super:
I think both are excellent choices. I really like the my Global Suunto, but I think you cannot go wrong with these two choices.
rapidboy
03-08-2004, 21:26
From the specs i can see the Suunto has a global needle but no mention of this on the Silva.
Anyone know if the Silva has it?
I don't intend to travel abroad with it but who knows
RB
What is a Global Needle ?
rapidboy
03-08-2004, 21:51
http://www.suuntousa.com/needle.htm
rapidboy
04-08-2004, 20:24
From the specs i can see the Suunto has a global needle but no mention of this on the Silva.
Anyone know if the Silva has it?
Answer is NO
"Also, the needle of each compass is counterbalanced for the middle of the magnetic zone where it may be used. "
Silva USA
I do not travel much out of my magnetic zone, but I am glad to have at least one global needle. You just never know when the opportunity to travel outside your zone. I really like the global needle on my Suunto ranger. I took mine to Kenya a few years back and it perfomed perfectly.....not sure if that is a different magnetic zone, but it was a long way away :o):
Actually looking at the supplied link puts Kenya in zone 3...so now I am real glad I bought the global needle :biggthump
http://www.suuntousa.com/images/needle.gif
Well I use one of these (http://www.outdoorgarage.com/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Silva_Voyager _8010_955.html) .
They are basic, to the point no frills and do the job :-)
Silva Ranger 27, simple but covers my (very) basic needs.
rapidboy
04-11-2004, 22:16
I know this is an old thread but i got my compass at last.
I got it from Joe at ODS and he's had it for a while because he was waiting for the North Star and another knife to arrive before he sent it on.
It's a Suunto MC-2 and it's a really nice piece of kit.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v76/rapidboy1/407_0732_2_1.jpg
SERIOUSLY good price as usual from Joe :You_Rock_
Excellent choice RB. I see it has the global needle too. I like the small half-moon sighting hole...mine does not have that....wonder if I need another....stop :shock: