User Review: Suunto M-5

Suunto M-5
Above: The current M-5, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed November 18, 2004 by Bob Johns

Rating: rated 5 of 5 stars
Price Paid: $32

The M-5 is a standard baseplate or protractor compass, also known in the U.S. as the 'Contender' or 'Smokekiller' model, and is in use by the U.S. Forest Service. (Outside North America the M-5 is known as the 'NATO' model and is issued to U.K. land forces along with the Silva of Sweden Type 4).

Unlike some other compasses, the M-5 has a long 5" rectangular baseplate that makes it easy to draw course bearings on a map. The compass bezel is fitted with gripping blocks to make it easy to rotate, and the compass dial is printed in easy-to-see raised degree markings. Those degree marks, incidentally, are printed on a large and VERY luminous plastic which makes them easy to read at night or in low light. The clear acrylic baseplate has a magnifier and a large luminous direction of travel arrow, and the rear corners are nicely radiused to facilitate comfortable holding. The M-5 also has adjustable declination using a small screw mechanism similar to Silva compasses, and it operates precisely and easily. Like other Suunto compasses, the M-5 has a quality needle mounted on a jeweled bearing. My example seems very well built with no 'slop' noted. Despite its length it is very lightweight and fits easily into a shirt pocket.

Cons: The M-5, at least my U.S. version, is not printed with UTM romer scales for finding a position on the map.

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