Watchband "Clip" Compasses?

[Wesley]

Hey guys,
Just wondering how many of you use these from Brunton, Suunto, etc., and what your experiences with them have been? Or, have you found button, zipper, etc. compasses that work better and are more convenient?
Thanks,
Wesley

 

[Spydie Man]

I use sunnto I havent tried to acheive any navigational precision from it for that I rely on a lensastic compass. However it is good for finding general derection for the most part I often use mine for road navigation in unknown areas.

 

[exechobo]

I use one to keep on course, when not covering a long distance and where navigating aids (like roads, rivers) are abundant. I carry a lensatic alway, but find it less often used. Look at "adventure racers" and see that they use a very simple thumb size compass for the same purpose. Just stop and check as often as the terrain dictates.

For the first time this year, I found a variance in readings between compasses. My brother and I were hunting, and as we struck out we laid all 4 of the compasses we carry, knowing they would all say the same thing. Ooops, the one he was relying on was several degrees off. How? no clue, but it made me recall why we did that in the first place. It is amazing how sure you can be that your compass is wrong when you are out at night, and this equipment check can save a lot of time coming home.

Paul

 

[frank k]

I tried one of those clip on compasses, but it did not impress me. I always have my old BSA Silva compass on a light cord around my neck, so, I had little need for the clip on that only gives a very rough reading. Some like the button compasses for back ups, but I prefer to carry the same base plate type as a back up.
BTW, I always check my compasses against each other before heading out, a buddy of mine had a compass that some how reversed it polarity one time, causing him a lot of confusion, luckily he had a back up.

 

[x39]

I had a compass on a watch band some years back that all of a sudden stopped functioning. My theory is that since I wore it a few times while arc-welding, electro-magnetic fields destroyed the compass. While we're on the subject, does anyone have a source for half way decent button compasses?

 

[Wesley]

According to Mr. Ritter over at equipped.com, the best button compasses available are:
1. B.C.B. 20mm "explorer" wet button compass, or the
2. Pyser-SGI FB-1605 brass 15mm dry NATO compass (available from Triple Aught Design)
Thanks for the input guys!
Wesley

 

[x39]

Thanks Wesley, I'll check it out.