What Compass do you use?

S

stitchawl

Joined
Jul 26, 2008
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Or do you now use a hand-held GPS?

My primary compass for backpacking is an old Silva Ranger that's no longer made. I've been carrying it for 35 years now, and there are still no bubbles inside the case. :thumbup:

It's a great sighting compass with a mirror in the top and has a declination offset screw as well as an inclinometer. Its only drawback is its size and weight. Silva now makes the Ranger27 which is about 1/4 the size and weight, but I sort of like the large baseplate when using it on a Topo map. I also use a couple of smaller Silva compasses that are attached to different daypacks. (Lately I've been changing the lanyards on them as I learn more braiding stitches... ;) )

For the past couple of years I've also started using a Garmin Extrex Vista hand-held GPS, especially when canoe trekking. I really like this little gadget when I go into areas that I'm unfamiliar with. Nothing like it to let me know EXACTLY where I am when I get 'turned around' a bit! I just picked up the latest model of it that has a much better battery life than it's older brother.

Stitchawl
 
I use a military lensatic that I have had since 97 or so. I pefer it over base plate style compasses as it is very easy to sight in on an object to either obtain a bearing or set a bearing to follow. It can be set for declination but I find it is not really neccessary as I either do the conversion to magnetic when laying out my route or I can do it on the fly in my head if neccessary. I have tried using other types of compasses but found I did not like them. I guess I pefer the simplicity of it and it is what I initially learned on years ago.
I also carry topo maps and a Garmin 60CSx. I still need a better map base for it but it works great for running tracks and logging waypoints or areas/items of interest on a search. Also it is very handy when base camp requests a postion update.
 
stitchawl said:
Or do you now use a hand-held GPS?
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Whether you use a GPS or not is irrelevant. You should STILL always have a compass :D I say that with a smiley, but I am serious. I have been in many areas where I have lost reception. I have had my screen temporarily blank out on me, and you always have the battery issue.

With that being said, I have always been a big advocate of the Cammenga compass.

However, just for kicks, I ended up getting a Suunto Suunto MC-2G MM and I love it. The global needle is amazing. The MM stands for "metric." There is a non-metric version, but I prefer to work in the metric system. It is just easier for me. I know my pace count for 100m, count out for a kilometer, and everything scales easy.

B
 
Pace count, thats where I have trouble. One of these days I will learn how to count:o

In all seriousness, if there is one vital skill I need practice with its Orienteering.

Sorry to get off topic:o
 
Suunto MC2G for me, I own many (Silva, Brunto, Recta) and Suunto is the only brand I really trust.

Suunto_MC2.jpg
 
Cammenga here......... I have never had a problem using it.

I also have a brass marbles compass, and a brunton button compass in my Pelican box PSK.

I need to get me one of them Silva rangers to see what the fuss is about.:thumbup:
 
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BarberFobic1992 said:
Suunto matchbox compass. its a pretty cool design, and quite durable. i will post some pics in a bit.
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I remember that compass!! It was quite a hit when it first came on the market.

The Silva Ranger that I have looks almost exactly like the Suunto MC-2GMM but with a large metal bezel that has a screw adjustment for setting declination offset. I wonder why Silva stopped making this? Perhaps the weight? It's nice to have that mirror in the woods for signaling too!

When I use my GPS in the field, it's only on for a couple of minutes to locate Lat and Long and set a waypoint. If my watch battery can last three years, and my scuba diving computer can run for several hundred hours without a battery change, you'd think they could make a GPS that could be kept on for several days! :mad:

Stitchawl
 
stitchawl said:
The Silva Ranger that I have looks almost exactly like the Suunto MC-2GMM but with a large metal bezel that has a screw adjustment for setting declination offset. I wonder why Silva stopped making this?
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Is yours different than this one? I guess I am not familiar with how they "used" to make them.

One thing I forgot to mention, is I really like the global needle on the MC-2G, as opposed to the MC-2. The needle and the magnet are seperate and the compass can handle large amounts of tilt, and still works correctly. It reminds me of a gyroscope. It is hard to explain, but it is cool :thumbup:

B
 
briangandrews said:
Is yours different than this one? I guess I am not familiar with how they "used" to make them.
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The biggest difference is in the bezel. On the old Silva Ranger, the bezel is metal and quite large, sloping down from the edge of the face to the base plate. There is enough room on the top edge for a small recessed set-screw that turns the inner plate to compensate for declination. (There is a flat screwdriver threaded to the lanyard.) You set it once for the region in which you are traveling, and then forget about making corrections along the way. Very handy if you travel in different parts of the globe! Other than that, and some markings on the base plate, both are just about the same. Same mirror sighting system, etc. I can't tell the size of the Suunto, but the Silva base plate is about 4 inches long.

One thing I forgot to mention, is I really like the global needle on the MC-2G, as opposed to the MC-2. The needle and the magnet are seperate and the compass can handle large amounts of tilt, and still works correctly. It reminds me of a gyroscope. It is hard to explain, but it is cool :thumbup:
B
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This would be a great feature. My problem with small compasses (compassi?) is keeping them level enough to swing. Sometimes I wish I had one of these cheap marble shaped numbers with the free-floating inner ball!

Stitchawl
 
Sharp Eye said:
I have the same Ranger that you and Doc have. It was my Dad's.
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Are you trying to tell us we're old????

Anyway, stitchawl is obviously older than me :rolleyes: because mine does not have the metal bezel. It does however have the declination adjusting screw. (Please excuse crappy picture).
mine.jpg


Doc
 
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Military lensatic, Magellan bright yellow GPS my wife got for me a couple years ago.

I can get by with the compass just fine, though. I've navigated my way through mountains I'd never seen before, without a map, just the compass, for several miles, just by looking over yonder, saying, that's where I'm going, and got there.

Familiarity with the tool is key, whatever the tool happens to be.
 
DOC-CANADA said:
Anyway, stitchawl is obviouly older than me :rolleyes: because mine does not have the metal bezel. It does however have the declination adjusting screw.
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It's interesting that mine is a bit different than your's both in the base and the compass part. I don't remember exactly when I bought mine, but I know I had it '87 when I went to Korea. Here's a quick shot I just took.

silva.jpg
 
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