Show me, your favorite go to compass.

recondo4u

recondo4u

Joined
Apr 5, 2001
Messages
442
As my 25 year Silva Ranger compass developed a bubble for some reason, I have decided to retire it. This got me to thinking about compasses in general. Show me, your favorite go to compass.
 
Bubbles are no problem in a compass. They almost all have bubbles. They will change size based upon pressure and other factors but they almost never go away. Unless you have a leak keep using it. It won't affect anything.

This isn't all of them but its a good sampling.

DSCI0245.jpg



KR
 
kr1 said:
Bubbles are no problem in a compass. They almost all have bubbles. They will change size based upon pressure and other factors but they almost never go away. Unless you have a leak keep using it. It won't affect anything.

This isn't all of them but its a good sampling.

DSCI0245.jpg



KR
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info on the bubble not being a problem. I sure did think it would be. I love that old Ranger, It's been all over the world with me and around for a long time........ I don't think Silva makes them like that any more. She didn't even have time to rest before she is back in the pack!!

Thanks again....:thumbup: Whats your favorite out of what your showing and why?
 
This is the one I just received for christmas. A sunuto M-3. Features - Northern Hemisphere balanced needle for quick response. Luminscent bezel that really takes a charge nicely from a flashlight. Magnifying glass, so I can burn stuff. Declination adjustment screw and little screwdriver on the lanyard. Little rubber feet for working with it on a surface or map.

DSC_0052.jpg
 
I use a Suunto MC-2G while in the field, but that stays in store at the Det, my compass is just a suunto A-30, simple but works and is durable.
 
The new Silva Ranger isn't like the old ones.

I bought a newer model and after the capsule leaked (not a bubble, drained halfway!) and the mirrors fell off before I even really got to use it, I returned it.

On the advice of the fine folks at Oregon Firearms Academy, I bought the Suunto MC-2 and I have to say, the quality is very good.

Carl-
 
KGD, What's the knife that's in you pic?

To stay on topic, I typically use and old Silva Ranger, from 20 years ago, but it's developed a fairly large bubble so I need to replace it.
 
recondo4u said:
Thanks for the info on the bubble not being a problem. I sure did think it would be. I love that old Ranger, It's been all over the world with me and around for a long time........ I don't think Silva makes them like that any more. She didn't even have time to rest before she is back in the pack!!

Thanks again....:thumbup: Whats your favorite out of what your showing and why?
Click to expand...

Like I said, usually compasses (the good ones) are filled with mineral oil to dampen the needle movement so if you haven't seen or felt anything oily leaking from your compass you probably have nothing to worry about with a small bubble. The bubble will probably expand and contract with elevation changes as well as atmospheric pressure changes and temperature changes.

My favorite compass, I don't know. I like all of them and often grab one on a whim when putting my pack together. I have always liked the Swiss army box compass and the Brunton and have used them and the other extensively.

KR
 
kr1 said:
Like I said, usually compasses (the good ones) are filled with mineral oil to dampen the needle movement so if you haven't seen or felt anything oily leaking from your compass you probably have nothing to worry about with a small bubble. The bubble will probably expand and contract with elevation changes as well as atmospheric pressure changes and temperature changes.

My favorite compass, I don't know. I like all of them and often grab one on a whim when putting my pack together. I have always liked the Swiss army box compass and the Brunton and have used them and the other extensively.

KR
Click to expand...

I like the Brunton's also, I have two 8099's, but I just put one of them up for sale on the gadget board. I think I'll stick with the old Silva for a while.:thumbup:
 
I use a Suunto MC-2, but I'd be very leery of the brand right now. Their QC has gone down enormously in the last few years, with the printing on the dials and bases being unaligned (When the north end of the needle is pointing at the 90 degree marker, the south end shouldn't be aimed at 266...). My SAR group's gone through over 100 of them so far this year in training and over half have been unacceptably sloppy.
 
Iboschi said:
Is that a whole box of compasses? What's that fer?
Click to expand...

I teach many different departments (fire, cert, sar) land navigation and map reading as well as teaching orienteering to boy scout leaders and others. My fire department asked to buy it for me and I said sure. It technically is the departments but they let me use it for training any group.

I use to teach land nav and map reading and a couple of other subjects in the Army. Its a hard habit to break. I still love it.

KR
 
I've had a couple bruntons about like the one in the picture above (albeit quite a few years younger) that have worked fairly well for me.
 
I prefer the Cammenga 3H. I cant post a pic but you can find it on their website. cammenga.com.

These are induction dampened compasses. No problem with leakage, And those bubbles in a compass CAN and Will result in errors for they will interfere with the needles movement.
 
Guys, I would like to buy a Suunto MC-2G with global needle. Can anyone recommend an online store that ships overseas?
 
Silva FAQ

My Silva Compass Has A Bubble In The Fluid. What Should I Do?

Silva intends that their compasses are free of bubbles; however, if a small bubble forms in the liquid-filled capsule, it has no influence on the accuracy of the compass. Its appearance and disappearance is due to changes in temperature and atmospheric pressure. If a bubble larger than 1/4" in diameter appears, it is probably the result of a leaking capsule, usually caused by some form of shock damage and the capsule will have to be replaced. In that case, just call SILVA customer satisfaction department. See SILVA Contact Information Below.
Click to expand...

KR
 
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