Best Compass

**sjj** · 11-05-2009, 03:48 AM

Looking for suggestions for compass to add to backpack sized kits.

**Rick** · 11-05-2009, 08:12 AM

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!!

**Sarge47** · 11-05-2009, 08:43 AM

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!

**Old GI** · 11-05-2009, 09:34 AM

Here-Here!! I have my Silva Ranger from 1978 when I was convinced (didn't take much) to ditch my military lensatic.

**SARKY** · 11-05-2009, 11:30 AM

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.

**Old GI** · 11-05-2009, 01:11 PM

Originally Posted by SARKY

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?

**NightShade** · 11-05-2009, 01:24 PM

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.

**Old GI** · 11-05-2009, 02:01 PM

Kinda like wearing two watches?

**NightShade** · 11-05-2009, 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by Old GI

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!

**Old GI** · 11-05-2009, 02:57 PM

I had a problem with my ruck telling me what to do. It sure could talk!!!

**SARKY** · 11-05-2009, 07:00 PM

That is why a good topo map is more important than a compass ......unless you're in the desert or on the ocean

**rebel** · 11-05-2009, 09:08 PM

Originally Posted by SARKY

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.

**aflineman** · 11-05-2009, 09:39 PM

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.

**Stony** · 11-06-2009, 02:03 AM

I use a Silva Ranger for the past 20 years and as spare a Suunto MC-2.

**WoodSmoke** · 11-06-2009, 11:12 PM

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.

**crashdive123** · 11-06-2009, 11:18 PM

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

**Rick** · 11-07-2009, 12:39 AM

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.

**WoodSmoke** · 11-07-2009, 01:09 AM

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.