What year did Silva's Quality tank/crash/go bad?

Thanks Don, I just bought 2 little base plate Silva models (polaris). I do remember checking them against all the other more expensive compasses that were on the shelf. Most of them seemed pretty true on the assumption that the averages are accurate. I do recall two or three of the $9.95 priced base plate ones being off about 5 degrees or so from the others. It didn't seem to be manufacturer specific, as many Suunto (A10) were off as were the Polaris ones.

Frankly, I have a bad habit of misplacing compasses. Not usually in the wilderness but after I get home. Its because they keep migrating to different gear bags that serve different purposes. So now, instead of getting a better compass, I get multiples of the cheaper ones and try to stow one or two per bag/kit. Then again I rarely do very precise compass/map navigation so the cheap little base plate ones fit my use pattern while also being more precise and functional than button style ones. I'd be bummed to pay $60 for a compass that I wasn't satisfied with.

What are your troubling experiences with Silva?
 
My Silva Ranger that I bought in 1996 was made in Sweden and seems to be of good quality.

Jason
 
I have no problem with my Silva zipper pull compass that was manufactured within the last two or three years.

A lot of people have reported that they will no longer purchase "modern" Silvas because the Q.C. is in the toilet. That's why people have moved on to Suunto and Brunton, at least that's what they have been saying in here.

I just scored a mint, never used, Pre-1992 Silva Type 3 Baseplate Compass and was curious as to when the Q.C. went south...pardon the pun. ;)
 
Maybe when their name got shuffled between companies? I think the made in sweden ones are good. Here in Canada,the good silvas became Nexxus sp?. I am not sure who holds the american silva name,maybe Brunton?
 
Sorry Don, I can't give you a date, but I think it was when Johnson Outdoor bought Silva, now they are made overseas. I have a late model, inexpensive, Silva Polaris made in Indonesia. It developed an annoying bubble big enough to cause problems. A few e-mails to Johnson and I had a new replacement. I have some older Sivas all made in Sweden, never had a problem with them. I have a new Brunton baseplate type 7, made by Silva in Sweden. I'd say it's on par with my Suuntos.
 
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