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What to get/avoid in a compass?
- Thread starter Jebediah
- Start date
A compass is not something I really worry about spending a lot of money for an excellent one. I have a cheapo compass I got eons ago when I was a little kid. It's accurate- - I've tested it, and if it breaks when I'm out in the wilderness, I just make my own compass. Lots of you probably know how, but for those that don't, here's a simple way that only takes a few minutes.. Remember that with a good topo map (and the knowhow to use one of course 
you only need to do a directional fix once at most in most situations.
Grab a straight stick and plant it vertically in the ground. Mark the position of the end of it's shadow with a rock. wait long enough for the shadow to have moved a bit away from your first marker and mark the position again. Draw a straight line between the two rocks. you now have an east-west line. Draw a perpendicular line and you have a north/south line.
Since my resources are limited (student), i don't buy any expensive stuff I don't have to
you only need to do a directional fix once at most in most situations.Grab a straight stick and plant it vertically in the ground. Mark the position of the end of it's shadow with a rock. wait long enough for the shadow to have moved a bit away from your first marker and mark the position again. Draw a straight line between the two rocks. you now have an east-west line. Draw a perpendicular line and you have a north/south line.
Since my resources are limited (student), i don't buy any expensive stuff I don't have to
I have a silva ranger type compass c/w mirror and decln. adjustment. I probably would buy a compass with the decln. adjustment if using topo maps for navagation. The decln adjustment makes navigation much easier and less prone to errors. The mirror is also helpful if you have to go to a distant location. I have both a compass and gps, and find that I use the compass much more often in the bush especially if it is really thick. I check the gps to see how far I have travelled, and how far it is to my destination. I have no sense of direction and find that it is quite necessary to glance at the compass to keep going in a straight line
Ken
Ken
Although I own a GPS, I was taught in the Army that a GPS is not substitute for a map and compass. You should have both. The compass is an accuracy check for your GPS.
Now about a compass, I destroyed my Victorinox Swiss Army Compass (it was in a daypack strapped to the seat of my off road motorcycle -- it slipped in the bungee cords and rotated down between the fender and knobby tire! Ground it to a pulp!) I looked on the Victorinox site and the other places I've seen them and can't find them anymore. Did SAK give up making compasses?
Bruce Woodbury
Now about a compass, I destroyed my Victorinox Swiss Army Compass (it was in a daypack strapped to the seat of my off road motorcycle -- it slipped in the bungee cords and rotated down between the fender and knobby tire! Ground it to a pulp!) I looked on the Victorinox site and the other places I've seen them and can't find them anymore. Did SAK give up making compasses?
Bruce Woodbury
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2000
- Messages
- 232
I agree with shadowfax that you need not spend a lot on a compass. On most of my trips I never use my compass, usually you can get rough bearings from the sun or stars and thats usually enough.
A simple sighting system is useful for taking bearings to landmarks and triangulating your position (in conjunction with a map). By you don't need some super lens system (where not surveying here). The simplest sights will give you accuracy to 1 degree (if used correctly) and that is plenty good.
If you want you can get one that can be adjusted for declination but if you can add in you head it's really not necessary, just convenient.
You mentioned damping. Just get a liquid filled compass and you'll be fine.
I sencond kenf's recommendation of the Silva Ranger. It has everything you need (sights, declination adjustment) and runs about $50. If that is too much money there are some other very good Silva's that cost less.
I also have a little compass and thermometer on my coat zipper (from REI). Its only good for rough bearings but it was cheap and its always in easy reach.
A simple sighting system is useful for taking bearings to landmarks and triangulating your position (in conjunction with a map). By you don't need some super lens system (where not surveying here). The simplest sights will give you accuracy to 1 degree (if used correctly) and that is plenty good.
If you want you can get one that can be adjusted for declination but if you can add in you head it's really not necessary, just convenient.
You mentioned damping. Just get a liquid filled compass and you'll be fine.
I sencond kenf's recommendation of the Silva Ranger. It has everything you need (sights, declination adjustment) and runs about $50. If that is too much money there are some other very good Silva's that cost less.
I also have a little compass and thermometer on my coat zipper (from REI). Its only good for rough bearings but it was cheap and its always in easy reach.
Anybody have any experience with those tiny Marbles brass compasses? One model is a pin-on and the other looks like a pendant that you could attach a split ring or lanyard to. I see them on Ebay and Cutlery Shoppe also sells them. Been wondering if they're well-built or dinky.
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Danny
aka "kuma575"
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Danny
aka "kuma575"
I disagree with all that say a cheap compass is OK.
A compass is one of your most important pieces of survival gear, and if you have a good orientierring compass and a USGS map you can pretty much triangulate yourself in any situation.
I guess I should distinguish an 'inexpensive' compass from a 'cheap' compass the former (AKA any sylvia or millitary issue) will not freeze in cold temperatures, and will consistantly point in the same direction.
Sure all compasses do that, right? not really, I've had a compass freeze on me, and also a less expensive compass (really saved me about $5) be so weak magnetically that it got spooked by iron deposits, making it worthless.
If you have a GPS you should also have a compass, and you should always have a good map.
Well I don't mean to say you should buy a $100 lensatic compass with tritium vials or anything. But a good sylvia compass costs about $2-3 more than a cheap no-name POS.
Get something that is filled with oil (won't freeze) has some glow in the dark properties (you may have to use it at night), has a good base with ruler stuff on it (helps when reading a map to have some basis for comparison) and is made by a reputable company (you want a compass that points north, not towards your nickel belt buckle).
A compass is one of those 'save your ass' pieces of equiptment. You never need it till you need it badly, and I've been enough places with a lot of iron in the ground to know that there is a difference between a good compass and a cheap POS.
Just my $0.02
Best,
Todd (edgedance)
A compass is one of your most important pieces of survival gear, and if you have a good orientierring compass and a USGS map you can pretty much triangulate yourself in any situation.
I guess I should distinguish an 'inexpensive' compass from a 'cheap' compass the former (AKA any sylvia or millitary issue) will not freeze in cold temperatures, and will consistantly point in the same direction.
Sure all compasses do that, right? not really, I've had a compass freeze on me, and also a less expensive compass (really saved me about $5) be so weak magnetically that it got spooked by iron deposits, making it worthless.
If you have a GPS you should also have a compass, and you should always have a good map.
Well I don't mean to say you should buy a $100 lensatic compass with tritium vials or anything. But a good sylvia compass costs about $2-3 more than a cheap no-name POS.
Get something that is filled with oil (won't freeze) has some glow in the dark properties (you may have to use it at night), has a good base with ruler stuff on it (helps when reading a map to have some basis for comparison) and is made by a reputable company (you want a compass that points north, not towards your nickel belt buckle).
A compass is one of those 'save your ass' pieces of equiptment. You never need it till you need it badly, and I've been enough places with a lot of iron in the ground to know that there is a difference between a good compass and a cheap POS.
Just my $0.02
Best,
Todd (edgedance)
I have done all except 3, 4, and 6 while in the Army (I predate GPS in the military - bummer).
I really like the military styled lensatics, and they do all your requirements extremely well. I got mine from Cabellas several years ago for around $80. Out in the boonies, every penny is worth it.
I like Fraser's idea of a couple compasses. I keep mine tied to my body with a dummy cord always.
I also bought a Silva at REI, and find it hard to sight and take a bearing off of. Of course, it has a mirror built in, which could be useful for signalling (or flossing your teeth).
My preference is definitely biased on what I was trained with, so keep that in mind. I'm glad to hear that the oil doesn't freeze, the Silva does fit nicely in a breast pocket!
I really like the military styled lensatics, and they do all your requirements extremely well. I got mine from Cabellas several years ago for around $80. Out in the boonies, every penny is worth it.
I like Fraser's idea of a couple compasses. I keep mine tied to my body with a dummy cord always.
I also bought a Silva at REI, and find it hard to sight and take a bearing off of. Of course, it has a mirror built in, which could be useful for signalling (or flossing your teeth).
My preference is definitely biased on what I was trained with, so keep that in mind. I'm glad to hear that the oil doesn't freeze, the Silva does fit nicely in a breast pocket!
One thing also to keep in mind is, do the people who are with you, if in a group, know how to use your compass? A lot of people have never even seen a Silva up close and don't know how to use one. If you are the leader and you go down, can the others with you use your gear as well as you? I am sure this is not a big concern but I have seen it come into play. Take care.
What did one Marine say to the other?
Lets get the ruck out of here!
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Yol bolsun,
Jamie
What did one Marine say to the other?
Lets get the ruck out of here!
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Yol bolsun,
Jamie
Bronco
Moderator
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2000
- Messages
- 7,601
Jeb,
Been there, done most of that, got the t-shirt to prove it, with the possible exception of #6. As with swede, my military experience also pre-dates the handheld GPS. And though I use GPSs quite a bit today, and always have at least one mag compass on hand as a backup, I'm fortunate that I haven't had a GPS fail on me. Obviously the key here is to frequently cross check your GPS position with your topo map so that you'll know immediately if your GPS should begin to fail.
Based on the sum total of this experience, I too would recommend purchasing a decent Silva or Brunton. $30 to $50 is all it takes to buy a compass that you can have confidence in, and which will give you many years of service.
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Semper Fi
-Bill
Been there, done most of that, got the t-shirt to prove it, with the possible exception of #6. As with swede, my military experience also pre-dates the handheld GPS. And though I use GPSs quite a bit today, and always have at least one mag compass on hand as a backup, I'm fortunate that I haven't had a GPS fail on me. Obviously the key here is to frequently cross check your GPS position with your topo map so that you'll know immediately if your GPS should begin to fail.
Based on the sum total of this experience, I too would recommend purchasing a decent Silva or Brunton. $30 to $50 is all it takes to buy a compass that you can have confidence in, and which will give you many years of service.
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Semper Fi
-Bill
Patrol is my bag. I just love leading patrols. I am too old for that now, but I can remember.
I need a good map and compass.
Good maps are hard to come by in a combat zone.
The Army lensetic compass is fine, but too heavy. In fact my old Army compass went south on me some years ago. I suppose that I could DX it for a new one.
It`s not worth fooling with the supply types.
I went with the Silva when they came out.
I still use it and it works fine at a fraction of the weight.
I need a good map and compass.
Good maps are hard to come by in a combat zone.
The Army lensetic compass is fine, but too heavy. In fact my old Army compass went south on me some years ago. I suppose that I could DX it for a new one.
It`s not worth fooling with the supply types.
I went with the Silva when they came out.
I still use it and it works fine at a fraction of the weight.
Ah yes, land navigation! The Army loves it!
The hardest place I did land nav was in Saudi and Iraq (no terrain features to triangulate on to determine location). I remember directions like: we're at grid ******, take the main MSR north 7 klicks from here, turn east at the pile of tires (75 degree bearing), go about 12 klicks and you should see our antennae, if you see some burned out tanks you've gone too far.
I still use my old trusty US Army lensatic compass (probably because that is what I learned with). It's tough and can take quite a pounding, and it works everytime. And as long as you have your compass, you also have a magnifying glass.
[This message has been edited by allenC (edited 02-14-2001).]
The hardest place I did land nav was in Saudi and Iraq (no terrain features to triangulate on to determine location). I remember directions like: we're at grid ******, take the main MSR north 7 klicks from here, turn east at the pile of tires (75 degree bearing), go about 12 klicks and you should see our antennae, if you see some burned out tanks you've gone too far.
I still use my old trusty US Army lensatic compass (probably because that is what I learned with). It's tough and can take quite a pounding, and it works everytime. And as long as you have your compass, you also have a magnifying glass.
[This message has been edited by allenC (edited 02-14-2001).]
Bronco
Moderator
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2000
- Messages
- 7,601
The current issue military lensatic compass is a tough one to be sure. It's just hard to argue with the light weight, slimness, accuracy and ruggedness of a top line Silva.
I will say this, however. If you really are going to be doing a lot of dead reckoning land navigation at night, the tritium vial luminescence of the current GI compass makes it worth its weight in gold.
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Semper Fi
-Bill
[This message has been edited by Bronco (edited 02-14-2001).]
I will say this, however. If you really are going to be doing a lot of dead reckoning land navigation at night, the tritium vial luminescence of the current GI compass makes it worth its weight in gold.
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Semper Fi
-Bill
[This message has been edited by Bronco (edited 02-14-2001).]
OK FNG, now you've angered the supply gods! I resemble that remark! The reason we supply pukes give you "Hand Receipt" holders such a hard time is because we figure you stole what you are trying to DX anyway! Am I right. You couldn't have gotten that issued to you from us because we would never give you what you need or deserve -- it's our creed! If I have three and you have none, if I gave you one, I'd only have two and that just isn't good!
By the way, for the uninlightened, DX stands for "Direct Exchange". Give me your broken one and I'll give you a new one. Yeah right! Maybe your broken one and a "statement of charges", but nothing less!
Sound familiar, FNG!
Bruce Woodbury (retired supply guy)
By the way, for the uninlightened, DX stands for "Direct Exchange". Give me your broken one and I'll give you a new one. Yeah right! Maybe your broken one and a "statement of charges", but nothing less!
Sound familiar, FNG!
Bruce Woodbury (retired supply guy)
