What compass to buy?

[elkhunter71]

I have lost my compass and need to buy another one? Any suggestions on which one to buy? Anyone have one they want to sell?
Thanks Steve

 

[ArrowForester]

I like the Silva Ranger, around $45 right now at Forestry Suppliers. May be even less expensive elsewhere. Should do all you need to do for navigating in the woods and has proven pretty durable in my experience.

 

[trapperjay]

I like the Silva Ranger, around $45 right now at Forestry Suppliers. May be even less expensive elsewhere. Should do all you need to do for navigating in the woods and has proven pretty durable in my experience.

X2. Used for 8-10 years and has been been durable.

 

[land cruiser]

Suunto mc-2g. Works on both sides of the pond.

 

[Bonedalien]

most of the land surveyors i know(including myself) use Bruntons. both brands mentioned above are solid choices also.

 

[IanF.]

Silva/Brunton 15 tdc has been the standard for years, the new bruntons I like too, the green one more then the beige

 

[Vegeman]

Buy a Suunto is you're living in the US. Buy Silva if you live outside the U.S...or whatever other brand which takes your fancy.

Reason being, the Silva's which are sold in the U.S aren't genuine and are made in China. You might get lucky though and find a dealer which sells the real deal.

 

[IanF.]

If it has declination adjustment it's usually a decent compass btw...

 

[Jeff Martin]

most of the land surveyors i know(including myself) use Bruntons. both brands mentioned above are solid choices also.

Although I have never been lost (really good at reading maps), I have always felt I could learn more about compass navigating. Do you guys use the cheek method, center mass, etc? What do Surveyors use? thanks

 

[elkhunter71]

Thanks for the info.

 

[mauidiver]

In in this one. Always wanted to learn how to read these things. I dont always trust electronic devises yet and cant afford them. So ill see what yall say

 

[IanF.]

I used to teach map & compass... You tube may or may not have existed....

I'm sure there are plenty of good videos.

Looks for:
Compasses and instruction with mirrors
Arms length
Long sight plane
Declination and why care about it
Map North, grid north true North
Topographic correction
Pacing factor
Route planning
Utm coordinates

The canadian government used to have some fantastic online resources.

Very best,

Ian

 

[Old_Navy]

CAMMENGA 3H, here NSN 6605-01-196-6971

nothing fancy & well built

 

[SWVA_Tim]

For those that use a compass regularly ... Is a sighting mirror all that necessary / useful?

 

[elkhunter71]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ybIXSRneoI&index=4&list=PLmWUoLyD4VWVS0rfo7Rihl81kT0AO_ICB

Here a pretty good video to watch

 

[IanF.]

For those that use a compass regularly ... Is a sighting mirror all that necessary / useful?

Iron sights vs scope, both work, one is more precise

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ybIXSRneoI&index=4&list=PLmWUoLyD4VWVS0rfo7Rihl81kT0AO_ICB

Here a pretty good video to watch

That's a pretty handy little video.

 

[Violent Hippie]

Silva Ranger cant be beat for the money.

 

[ArrowForester]

For those that use a compass regularly ... Is a sighting mirror all that necessary / useful?

Ian summed it up pretty well with the precision comment. That precision is beneficial if you are trying to run a transect or follow a specific course. It can also improve results when triangulating your position with precise detail. For general navigation and location purposes it is not necessary, particularly if you use topography as guide or catch features.

 

[elkhunter71]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpHS8A2-Tfw
The second part to the video