TINY quality brass compass... but...

No. It would be fine in North America as it will point to magnetic north. Although I don't have one of these, I have heard from many that they are the best made "button" type compass one can buy.
 
ACTUALLY IT IS THE SAME COMPASS ISSUED IN THE R.A.F. SURVIVAL KIT SO YOU KNOW IT HAS BEEN TRIED AND TRUE. MINE ACTUALLY IS M.O.D. MARKED.
SO BOTTOM LINE IMHO YOU CAN BET YOUR MAGNETIC NORTH ON IT.
 
MAJ RICHARD PARADIES said:
ACTUALLY IT IS THE SAME COMPASS ISSUED IN THE R.A.F. SURVIVAL KIT SO YOU KNOW IT HAS BEEN TRIED AND TRUE. MINE ACTUALLY IS M.O.D. MARKED.
SO BOTTOM LINE IMHO YOU CAN BET YOUR MAGNETIC NORTH ON IT.
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Don't know how all you guys do it, I have been chair bound going on 8 weeks now, even staying around the forums a lot. But no where near the 100 mark.
 
Since it's British, it should work fine in the northern hemisphere, but watch out if you go south of the equator! :eek:

Gordon
 
The compass looks like it has glow-in-the-dark dots on it, which is a very nice feature that is getting harder to find.
 
Thanks so much. I figured it would work in the North Hemisphere. I just didn't know if the declination would be so far off that it would be of no use.

Dale W,

Thanks for the link - I e-mailed them to see if they would sell me the compass only. I hope that works. It is a lot cheaper than the SAS model and liquid dampened.

TF
 
Correct me if I'm wrong, but declination won't enter into it. The needle merely points to magnetic north. Calculating the declination is up to you. I really doubt a compass this size would have any kind of declination adjustment.

Doc
 
Talfuchre said:
This compass is PERFECT for my application - but it is British... does this mean it will be off for my application in North America?
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Quality compass. Just watch out about the controls being on the right side instead of the left. And some times the damn things won't work at all until you've given them a spot of tea in the morning. :)
 
It's inclination that is a concern with compasses used in different zones. Basically, the magnetism pulls the needle down more so on one end of the needle than the other. It needs to be balanced between this pull and gravity so that it remains horizontal to give a true 'flat' reading. The Earth is split into five balancing zones but fortunately (for those in the Norhtern hemisphere) almost the whole Northern hemisphere is in one zone.

There's a brief map of the zones here:

http://www.facewest.co.uk/pp/trek/compasszones.htm

For survival use, I don't think the balanced zone really matters. A few degrees off is unlikely to be an issue. However, if you are a geological surveyor, it would be critical.

Rick.
 
I agree - I think this a compass and an application that is simply a 'I am headed in this general direction' type of thing.

I SO appreciate you guys's prompt responses to all my questions. You are all quick and have great input on an amazingly wide variety of topics.

Thanks!

GibsonFan:

1) I am origianlly from Kalamazoo, MI (you know why I mention that) ;)

2) Here are the specs. It really is quality.

All brass and glass construction
North and south seeking luminous points
Jewelled sapphire bearing
Niva tipped brass pivot

I am not sure it worth all that - but I also think they are fairly hard to get a hold of.

Frediver:

What website? The one you mentioned does not work.
TF
 
Foxyrick said it correctly. Inclination is the problem when moving from the northern to the southern hemisphere. A compass needle can be balanced for both hemispheres but that is done with higher quality copasses, say in the $40.00 and up range. A compass balanced for the northern hemisphere will work anywhere above the equator.

I've owned that brass button compass for more then 20 years now and I only use it as a gimmick. It is a heck of a lot better than no compass at all but the cheapest Suunto or Silva baseplate will much esier to use. If you really want a button compass consider a Suunto or a Tru Nord.

http://www.trunord.com/
 
The Tru Nord is just too big for this application. The next stick is large enough to countersink a Tru Nord. That is my plan.

I am trying to get ahold of a Suunto that has not been placed in an application already.

TF
 
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