Quality Compass?

N

N Gremory

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Oct 21, 2013
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I've been looking into putting together a long-term survival pack, and a compass is a good item to have.
Unfortunately, I don't know a whole lot about what to look for in a compass. I read that a lower bezel resolution, compass accuracy, and dampening time is important, as well as a somewhat decent temperature range.. And a declination scale or an adjustable declination can help.

Should I be looking for a liquid-filled compass, or one that is not?
Does anybody have any recommendations, as far as brand, et cetera?
Price becomes a concern after $75, but is not really much of a problem, otherwise.

Thanks in advance!

I was looking at some Suunto compasses with a global needle. Anybody willing to share an opinion on them?
 
Look at Silva's products.

Map sheets are important too as well as knowing how to use their declination diagrams.
 
What leghog said. Back when I put on green clothes every day, I kept a Silva compass handy whenever we were out running around in the woods.
 
I have a Brunton 9077 and a Silva Lensatic 360. The Silva just seems like a better-built compass and is the one I have in my coat pocket. A Cammenga 27 Phosphorescent might meet your price qualifications, and will have the temperature ratings you want. If you don't expect to be leaving your hemisphere, a global needle might be overkill. There are some "kits" that you can pick up that include a baseplate compass and a book on how to use a compass with a map. It might be worth it to get one of those first to get a better idea of what you will want eventually.
 
Really can't beat the Suunto M3. It has a smooth bezel. It's less likely to get bubbles at high elevations. It has an adjustable declination that's very easy to set and use. And best of all there are no silly mirrors, folding hinges, or other gimmicks. And unlike some other compasses, the numbers are detented into the plastic and not simply printed on like cheaper compasses.

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I've used these for decades. Scouting (ten years staff at Philmont), working as an archaeologist (12 years), hiking and backpacking... In fact I've mapped hundreds and hundreds of archaeological sites using only an M3 and pacing. I cannot recommend these highly enough. :thumbup:

Price, under $30.
 
i agree with Bob W. A good compass need not be excessively expensive. Get a good basic suunto m3 and spend some time learning to use it properly.
 
I see.
Thank you all very much for your help! I'll likely go with a Suunto, though I will definitely be keeping Silva in mind.

It's interesting to know that the Suunto M3 has debossed numbers. It seems that a good number (at least, the few that I looked at) of Suunto compasses have debossed numbers. It's not all too necessary, but there are a couple reasons that a Suunto MC-2G would suit me better than some others. Quite a bit more expensive than the M3, though, so I'll definitely keep it in mind when I get around to buying the compass.
The Global Needle also makes it easy to read while walking, since it doesn't need to be perfectly level for an accurate reading (from what I read).

Once again, I really appreciate the help!
 
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