Compass
Well after searching and finding nothing about compasses i decided to make thread about compasses
I am interested in buying one
Once i got that cheap one but it didnt work, always showed other way , never the same so my question is what are the good once?
any help appreciate
admins if thread was already posted please delete/move and point me to one
wizzy
It's okay. We have a lot of new folks on board and it's a very good subject. Let's go with it.
Compasses are a bit of a confusing animal. They shouldn't be but the corporate jockeying that has taken place makes it that way. I hope I remember this correctly. Silva made Silva compasses in Europe. Johnson Outdoors, being the ever shrewd corporation they are, trademarked the Silva name in the USA. So even though Silva owned the compass name they couldn't market the Silva name in the US. So now it looks like this:
Silva AB sells Brunton and Nexus in the US
Johnson Outdoors sells Silva in the US
Crazy, huh?
Silva has been making compasses for a long time. Brunton and Nexus are just names. They are Silva compasses and both good brands.
You'll see very distinct similarities between all three, however. Very competitive game.
Whew! Now I'm tired.
Tracks Across the High Plains...Death on the Bombay Line...A Touch of Death and Mayhem...Dead Rock...The Griswald Mine Boys...All On Amazon Books.
what would be difference in performance between liquid filled and gas filled?
I have a Silva Ranger which is my main compass and a type 27 wich is my small backup compass. I've never heard of gas filled, what would be the point? liquid is in the compass to give resistance and help settleout the needle so it doesn't bounce around.
I know what hunts you.
Liquid filled dampens the movement of the needle. It eliminates the wild swing that you sometimes see in a dry compass. Dry compasses can become inaccurate in very cold or humid weather and, since the needle moves a lot in a dry compass, you will see them wear fairly quickly. I used to know what the liquid is in the compass but can't seem to recall at the moment. I know it's a petroleum base so it doesn't freeze but I don't remember specifically what it is.
Bottom line, liquid filled is the better of the two.
Tracks Across the High Plains...Death on the Bombay Line...A Touch of Death and Mayhem...Dead Rock...The Griswald Mine Boys...All On Amazon Books.
As per an old instructor, the liquid (alcohol) can be used to help start a fire. I don't have any personal experience with that.
Last edited by rebel; 08-13-2009 at 09:52 AM.
Well out of the ones named Sarky hit the nail on the head which I am most familiar with. Of the civilian models I think the Ranger is the most similar to the military lensatic compass. I like these two (because of familiarity) they can be used to do section and resection.(using two known points to find an unknown point),using the sights. If this confuses you see the Army land nav manual.I'm sure SARKY could explain it better than I if he is so inclined(sorry SARKY I know I opened a can of worms) I can do it, I can show you how, but don't think I could explain it without confusing someone. One of those cases where a picture REALLY is worth a thousand words. Most of my experience is with military map and compass, But my preference IS the military Lensatic compass. I don't think any civilian compass can take the abuse those can and still be accurate (I've destroyed more than one good compass). However you have to be very careful as there are many look a likes. If I could find one I would rather have an M-2 compass as they are in mils instead of degrees 360* compared to 6400 mils, so they can be even more accurate in declination,and it has a mirror too. Maybe I should just hush before I confuse someone. Sorry if I have.
I have 2 Silva Rangers and one of them is in mils (or milirands for you civillian folks). The other plus on the Silva compasses is the mirror can double as a signal mirror. Of the two items, a good topo map and a good compass, the topo map is more useful.
Are you talking about triangulation or possibly biangulation? Taking a bearing off of several points in order to find your location on a map?
I know what hunts you.
Actually, all of the compasses manufacturers offer several models with mirrors.
Suunto is another name I failed to mention in my earlier post. They also offer quality compasses.
Tracks Across the High Plains...Death on the Bombay Line...A Touch of Death and Mayhem...Dead Rock...The Griswald Mine Boys...All On Amazon Books.
I've found that a flexible ruler is quite useful when triangulating, plotting a course, or measuring distance using the map legend.Originally Posted by SARKY
These work best:
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They'll coil up for storage in your pack:
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A sewing tape will also work okay. It's easier to pack than the ruler, but more difficult to plot (draw) a line with:
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“Learning is not compulsory. Neither is survival.”
W. Edwards Deming
"Live free or die: Death is not the worst of evils."
General John Stark
I just remembered he also said you can't drink the alcohol. Sorry Mrs. Dukakis.
Yep, That's the deal!! You know the Army they like to sophisticate things with their own little nomenclature(that's name for civvies) see what I mean? Triangulation- biangulation = section - resection.
Thanks SARKY I knew you could straighten this out.
Nice. Picking on the poor Kitty.
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Last edited by Ken; 08-13-2009 at 10:06 AM.
“Learning is not compulsory. Neither is survival.”
W. Edwards Deming
"Live free or die: Death is not the worst of evils."
General John Stark
I thought this might get a response from you.Nice. Picking on the poor Kitty.]
Knew her. Knew him. Knew one of the kids (my age). I'll say no more.
“Learning is not compulsory. Neither is survival.”
W. Edwards Deming
"Live free or die: Death is not the worst of evils."
General John Stark
I'm certainly sorry for saying more. What're the chances...???Knew her. Knew him. Knew one of the kids (my age). I'll say no more.
Considering that I asked him, face to face, to resign as Governor?
“Learning is not compulsory. Neither is survival.”
W. Edwards Deming
"Live free or die: Death is not the worst of evils."
General John Stark
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I'm probably the oddball when it comes to the compass. I have used a Recta DP-2 box compass for years and have found no reason to change. It has sights on the top that allow you to take an accurate sighting, reading the degree in flop down mirror.
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Here's a users eye view of how it works.
My only complaint is that it is sort of noisy. Mac
Incidentally, the first photo was taken on top of the mountain in the bottom photo. I just noticed that.
Last edited by Pict; 08-13-2009 at 12:06 PM.
The Colhane Channel TV for guys like me.
this is some pics of the M2 compass that I would LIKE to have. It is very accurate but cost is kida' prohibitive for me unless you can find one cheaper they are @ $150. it is tough
Last edited by pocomoonskyeyes; 01-28-2010 at 02:57 PM.
I personally use the military lensatic compass. I have used lensatics since...hmmm.. my Dad gave me one in 1965. I think they are glycerine-filled to provide good stability to the settling-out process. Glycerine will make a highly exothermic reaction (but a little slow to get started) with potassium permanganate (KMnO4), for those of you interested in draining your compass and making a flammable statement. Good surplus stores will carry the gen-u-wine metal-clad lensatic article for pretty reasonable prices, but again, beware of forgeries and look-alikes. Too much information, sorry.
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