Compass Recommendations

T

Toomanyquestions

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Mar 15, 2010
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At some point I want to purchase a good, sturdy, compass (perhaps one with a flip-top?). However, I'm not interested in breaking the bank... Any recommendations? And while you are at it, if you have an "it's so sturdy" story, I'd love to hear it.
 
Not the first time I have said this, and it won't be the last. I like Suunto compasses... and watches, and dive computers.


Their compass lineup. http://www.suunto.com/en/Products/#filter=1061

Doesn't sound like you are interested, but here are their precision instruments. Not sure how much the compasses there cost, but they probably are not the cheapest. http://www.suunto.com/en/Products/#filter=897

I have their M-2, Arrow 30, and MB-6.


I just think they are a good company that makes good products. A Finnish company if that matters to you.

Edit: I also have one of their SK 6 models, but I don't think you are looking for a dive compass. :)



I've never had a problem with any of them. They all point pretty quickly too. I hate when you have to wait on your compass to show you North...
 
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Brunton makes suunto

go with a 15TDCL and it will last you a long time, mine has

15tdcl_06_L.jpg
 
I have several compasses, but my favourite compass is a Silva Ranger 3 compass. It's a basic compass, but accurate and good quality. It has the functions that I need most and I'm using it for several years now. I don't have a story on its toughness, but it has survived trips through the Norwegian mountains and the northern wilderness of Lapland, if that counts.
 
Search thread titles here for compass. Been a few threads lately.
edit: btw, I use a Suunto M3-DL, but would just as soon have something simpler like the M2.

Quarter Tank said:
Brunton makes suunto
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No, they do not.
 
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Bowman1911 said:
Cammenga!
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+1! I've never owned a liquid filled compass that lasted more than a few years before developing a bubble. 'Course, it does give you an excuse to buy a new one every coupla years.:D

How many 'vintage' fluid compasses can you find listed on the 'bay?
 
OwenM said:
Search thread titles here for compass. Been a few threads lately.
edit: btw, I use a Suunto M3-DL, but would just as soon have something simpler like the M2.


No, they do not.
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actually, you're right.
its actually Silva that owns Brunton. don't know how I could mess that up:jerkit:

oh well. I've never had a problem with my Brunton is all I can say
 
My Suunto MC-1 is still going strong after 20+ years of service. I can't remember exactly how long ago I bought it, but I had it before I joined the Army in 1985, and I used it when I was at PLDC (NCO school) back in 1989.

As far as I can tell, it's still as accurate as it has always been. The only thing that's really "wrong" with it is that some of the color in the lettering on the base has worn off, and there's a small crack in the base where the lanyard attaches.

I've thought about buying another compass, but I hate to retire this one. :)
 
Every time I see a compass thread, I get a dose of nostalgia. In the age of GPS, who uses a compass? Well, some people still use them. Back in the olden days, that was all we had. I pass this along - again.

tanknwoods-1.jpg


A little story regarding map reading- RVN 1966

As you can see from the photo, having a compass in this situation was not much help. While I considered my map reading skills to be excellent, when smashing through the jungles of Tay Ninh Province, map reading was a problem. Sometimes you could see the sky - but you could never see terrain features. Plus, you were in a 110,000 pound metal vehicle, (think Magnetic) and there was that annoying factor of people trying to kill us all the time. So we adapted. I would pick a grid intersection nearby, (hopefully not overhead) and then radio my local artillery battery. I'd request a 200m height of burst WP (White Phosphorous) round at that grid location. After the airburst we would all try to located the smoke cloud (under which the deadly WP was falling to earth and burning through everything) before it drifted too far. From the cloud location I shot a back azimuth with my trusty compass, estimated the distance and kept on smashing ahead. Close enough for government work. I relay this routine procedure to my son (an army officer) and other young military guys who came of age with GPS and they can't believe we did that. Brings new meaning to the term "dead reconing". :D Map reading is a good, even if outdated, skill to learn. I taught all my grandchildren the basics and gave them all a compass.
 
Buckeye67 said:
My Suunto MC-1 is still going strong after 20+ years of service.
I can't remember exactly how long ago I bought it, but I had it before I joined the Army in 1985, and I used it when I was at PLDC (NCO school) back in 1989. As far as I can tell, it's still as accurate as it has always been. The only thing that's really "wrong" with it is that some of the color in the lettering on the base has worn off, and there's a small crack in the base where the lanyard attaches. I've thought about buying another compass, but I hate to retire this one. :)
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:thumbup: +1 for the MC-1.
I have had mine for about 12 years with no problems at all, has been beat, dropped, on hunting and fishing trips, and still does what it's supposed to do. Just recently bought the MC-2G for my son as a Christmas gift, both of them will probably outlast me . . . :)
Be safe.
 
JUST1MOR said:
:thumbup: +1 for the MC-1.
I have had mine for about 12 years with no problems at all, has been beat, dropped, on hunting and fishing trips, and still does what it's supposed to do. Just recently bought the MC-2G for my son as a Christmas gift, both of them will probably outlast me . . . :)
Be safe.
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Is the MC-2g the second generation? Thus leaving me to assume the MC-1 is hard to come by?

Thanks for all the feedback; if you know anyone who might have a *good* opinion, please pass my question along.
 
I've got a couple of Suunto's, I had the M3 Global already and was happy with it so I bought another Suunto for my other pack.
 
Not a flip open compass, but what I use daily, it came whit my army issued, Victorynox wristwatch. I always wind up working in unfamiliar areas all over Mexico, having a compass helps me get my bearings all the time. I do some counter drug trafficking patrols in the jungle regions in the south of Mexico, it is in under that dense canopy that you lose yourself very fast. the best compass is the one you have when you need it.

IMG_4634.jpg

IMG_4567.jpg
 
Edwood7 said:
Not a flip open compass, but what I use daily, it came whit my army issued, Victorynox wristwatch. I always wind up working in unfamiliar areas all over Mexico, having a compass helps me get my bearings all the time. I do some counter drug trafficking patrols in the jungle regions in the south of Mexico, it is in under that dense canopy that you lose yourself very fast. the best compass is the one you have when you need it.
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So the Mexican army issues Victorinox watches? Didn't know that, thanks for the info.
 
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