What's your compass?

Don Rearic

Don Rearic

Joined
Oct 8, 1998
Messages
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Thread title says it! What compass do you use, make and model? Secondary question, do you carry a back-up compass, if so, same-same, what make and model? :)
 
I've been using a small Silva Ranger since my days in the Forest Service- it's missing a few features like adjustable declination, but it's served me well for years and @ 0.8 oz pretty darn light :)

I have a small Suunto that's part of my K&M match safe that is a backup (sounds like K&M can't get these anymore though :()
 
Oh man! K&M are not going through the button compass woes again, are they? The compass they used in the cap is the same Suunto that is in the different housing for the Suunto Clipper Compass. Probably just about the best button compass made yet.
 
I've got a Silva Lensatic for a real compass, but since most of my woods time is dayhikes in familiar territory, I usually just keep a suunto clipper on the chest strap of my pack. Right there under my nose if I need it.

Glows in the dark, too. :)
 
I have a simple base compass, the Suunto M3D compass for backpacking. I do carry a backup (two if remember to include my K&M match case compass), the Cammenga tritium wrist compass. For work, I have a Brunton 9020G compass in my ACU shoulder pocket.

ROCK6
 
Old Silva that was my dads..Circa: long time ago..:D

DSC_4393.JPG
 
I had a Suunto M-3DL compass, but the needle somehow became, for lack of a better word, "sticky" shortly after purchase. I had to shake it up or jar it pretty well several times to get the needle to point anywhere near north. At least I hadn't paid much for it.... Before that I had some basic baseplate Brunton I picked up from REI before I had any real knowledge on how to use a compass.

Last year I splurged and picked up a Suunto M2G, and also received a Cammenga model 27 as a groomsmen gift. I have been carrying the Suunto M2G in my hiking pack, but have been thinking I might start carrying it and the map of the day on my person. I also have a TruNord button compass in my pocket. Kinda nifty in that it's been adjusted for declination in my area (at least, for the year in which I got it). It's nice lil compass, but heavy. I don't do a lot of bushwacking or far-off-trail orienteering in unfamiliar areas yet, so the button compass gets the most use (supplements terrain recognition to keep me oriented on my dayhikes). I also have a K&M matchase in my PSK pouch, so it's got the lil suunto compass in the cap. The Cammenga is in the car-kit/BOB.

One of my goals for this year is to get some serious hands-on practice using map and compass...the M2G is a nice compass, but I can't claim any solid experience depending on it yet.
 
I started with the BSA compass in the 70s, then used a Silva for a while. Now my primary is a Suunto M2.
 
Silva Trekker 20
I also have a little Suunto watchband compass in my "oh-shit !" kit.
I wear a Tissot t-touch with a compass in it also.
 
Brunton Type 15 if I'm getting serious. A Brunton Nexus for a backup, or if I decide to casually just carry a compass on an easy day hike.
 
I use mostly Silva compasses. In my day pack, are a Silva Guide 426, and a Silva Type 4/54 with the tritium inserts. That one was a Brit MOD surplus find.
 
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