Looking for suggestions for compass to add to backpack sized kits.
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Looking for suggestions for compass to add to backpack sized kits.
Silva, Suunto, Nexus and Brunton are all good names. Silva AB sells Brunton and Nexus in the US. Johnson Outdoors sells Silva in the US.
You might look at the Suunto Matchbox compass. I think Mac uses a Recta DP-2. Both are made by...Suunto/Recta and made in Finland. Amer Sports Corporation owns both companies. Both are box compasses and I think a box gives you more protection for your compass. Plastic compasses can get broken pretty easily so something a bit robust is better, I think.
As to being in the far north, I assume you know your declination but just want to mention that being in the far north doesn't necessarily mean making adjustments is necessary. It depends on where you are in the far north.
Hope that helps!!
In his book: "The Ultimate Outdoorsman," Bob Newman writes how, when in the Marines training grunts on outdoor navigating he'd left his Silva Ranger on the ground. Then somebody parked a jeep on top of it...yet it still worked! That was good enough for me! :cool2:
Here-Here!! I have my Silva Ranger from 1978 when I was convinced (didn't take much) to ditch my military lensatic.
Ole Bob Newman didn't put in his book how he left his Silva Ranger hanging on a tree somewhere on the Rangley Training Facility and I and another instructor found it (sheer luck). I've had my Ranger since 1985 and am extremely happy with it.
Instructor bait, ya think?:innocent:Quote:
Originally Posted by SARKY
I agree that a backup is always good to have!... But if you're gettin 2 different readings fron 2 dif. Compasses how are u sure of which one us right?
Why I carry 3... Go best 2 out of 3 if there is any discrepancy... And my preference is a Silva as well.
Kinda like wearing two watches?
Yeah... (tho I don't do that).... A common mistake inexperienced hikers make is to assume their compass is broken cuz their "instincts" tell them their. Direction is wrong.. Having 2 compasses giving you different readings will make it worst... But having a 3rd...... Not that I'm trying to insinuate the OP is inexperienced... Just something I like to throw out there for the Newbs!Quote:
Originally Posted by Old GI
I had a problem with my ruck telling me what to do. It sure could talk!!!
That is why a good topo map is more important than a compass ......unless you're in the desert or on the ocean
Right again.Quote:
Originally Posted by SARKY
I really like my Ranger. Mine has Surveyor's markings, so I have to do some math to get the degrees. Not hard. I got the Surveyor's compass due to what I am studying in College. Mine also has the Clino, which is a handy feature for me.
I also carry a back-up Brunton and a button compass. I have had one compass be wrong. It had got set on an energized transformer, which reversed the poles.
I use a Silva Ranger for the past 20 years and as spare a Suunto MC-2.
I've used a few Silva compasses in the past, and they never let me down. However, the newest one I picked up developed a bubble in just a few months of use... I can't recommend them now. I do have a Brunton that has done well, I do recommend them, as I understand it they are produced by the same folks that used to do the old Silva compasses.
Of course, my backup is a Stocker and Yale military lensatic model, that one I certainly trust.
Hey WoodSmoke - how about navigating your way on over to the Introduction section and tell us a bit about yourself. Thanks. http://www.wilderness-survival.net/f...splay.php?f=14
That bubble is caused by one of two things. Most likely it is a vacuum bubble caused by using it in extreme cold or higher elevation. Try sitting it in the sun and see if it will make the bubble disappear. Very often warming the compass will.
The other cause may be a very small break in the seal. If the bubble grows then it's probably a broken seal.
Either way, the bubble doesn't affect the compass. The liquid is only there to dampen the needle so the bubble has no impact other than aesthetics.
Ahh, thanks for that info. I do still have the compass, I hate throwing anything away that might still have a use, heheh.
It was actually used in fairly cold weather just before it got the bubble, that could very well be what happened.
Ouch. You can pick up that compass for $50 plus at a lot of stores. But a good compass for sure.
http://www.thefind.com/search?query=Suunto+MC-2G
I thought about the shipping after I posted that. Not a cheap consideration for AK.
Just ordered our first grown-up compass thanks to the reviews here: Silva Ranger 515 CLQ.
Now I'm thinking that I'd like a back up and one that also glows in the dark. What do yo all think about this one?
http://www.campingsurvival.com/cogispletrod.html
It's a bit pricey and I don't know if that's really what we need or is there something else we should consider.
Personally, I think it's too expensive. It's looks like they are selling the Cammenga GI Military Model 3H but there are a lot of knock offs. It's the same one issued to U.S. forces. Just remember that luminosity only lasts for a short while. 10 years on the Cammenga. Less for cheaper models. You should be able to find the Cammenga for around $80 on places like thefind.com.
Here's a link to Cammenga's web site so you can see the real deal.
http://store.cammenga.com/scripts/pr...p?idproduct=47
Your grown up compass and a night friendly flashlight will do the same thing won't it?
Darn, I was about to post the same link. That's the compass I have been using for the last 20 years or so. Mine was still made by Stocker and Yale. I used to buy these for the NATOQuote:
Originally Posted by Rick
National Stock Number: 6605-01-196-6971. Mil Spec: MIL-PRF-10436N
They are for sale on e-bay for about $60-70
Good point.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rick
But ultimately shouldn't Mr. B & I each have one of everything? (BOB) It kinda gets expensive to duplicate things but there's no way around it, is there?
You bet. You never know when you might get separated. Odds are if something happens you WON'T be together. We spend more time apart from our significant other than with them unless both are retired (then we just wish we did).
I was just suggesting something a bit cheaper that would perform the same function.
I think if you're in need of a compass you shouldn't be out wandering around in the dark, so glow in the dark should be an unnecessary feature.Quote:
Originally Posted by BENESSE
True enough.Quote:
Originally Posted by trax
However, I was imagining a scenario where I could be in an unknown urban-like setting (kinda like the young guy in the book Patriots) where moving at night might be the safest option. That would certainly be true here in the city for those who aren't familiar with it and aren't able to orient themselves by the landmarks.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BENESSE
There is something wrong with that product. It says it is approved for the japanese market and it says it contains Tritium. Tritium is a radioactive and controlled substance. It looks like an expensive Chinese knock-off who don't have the export restrictions. If you like this one, why don't you get the mil spec. Cammenga as Rick Posted? Lot cheaper and made in the USA
Much better choice!Quote:
Originally Posted by rudyumans
Thanks Rick for bringing it up, and thanks Rudy for pointing the flaws in the one I came across. :)
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