Compasses

Featured review by Trad_guy

The Suunto M-3D Leader Compass simply meets my detailed traditional requirements for use with my USGS Quad topo maps and my Garmin eTrex Venture HC hand held GPS (that is still available for about $100.00) for hiking on trail, off trail, scrambling and for bagging peaks in summer and sketchy winter weather. It is great for snowshoers, skiers, snowmobile riders, hunters and horsemen!

The Suunto M-3D Leader Compass simply meets my detailed traditional requirements! Here is why: 1. A reasonably long, transparent plastic base-plate for pointing the compass at objects in the field and for joining points on the map and it has a prominent index mark indicating the direction of travel. (The three little rubber feet help you use the edge of the compass to find and draw your bearing on the paper map.) 2. A big rotating compass needle housing marked in two degree increments. The housing has a transparent base which is marked with true north-south meridian lines which, together with the long compass edge, form a protractor for use on the map.

Read more: Suunto M-3D Leader reviews (3)

Reviewed by Sean Van Cleve

A high quality baseplate compass with many functions at a low price point! Declination adjustment, clinometer, and magnifier all for under $35.

Silva carries a lifetime warranty on this compass, and it is a super product. This compass is great to work with for planning, and when out in the field! The measurements of the compass: 2.125" x 4.1875", weighing in at 1oz. The high visibility bezel really helps!  The dial is easy to turn, and has 2˚graduations. The compass has a gear driven adjustment for magnetic declination on the bottom of the compass. It has 1/10 mile scales for USGS 1:24,000 and 1:62,500 maps, and an inch ruler on the three square sides.

Read more: Silva Explorer Pro HV review (1)

Reviewed by Mountainman_270

This is a compass/hand transit made by the German firm Kasper & Richter. This compass is similar to the Brunton hand transit (also known as the M1 or M2 compass), but is about $60 - $150 less expensive-depending on the Brunton model used for comparison. I've been using mine now for several months and love it. The accuracy is +/- 1 degree or better. The Meridian Pro is easy to read, has a leveling bubble, international needle, sapphire bearing, near indestructible capsule, and many other features that will make this a compass for a life time of use! I've been up and down 6000 plus feet in under 24 hours and tested the Meridian Pro from freezing temperatures to +20C degrees and no bubble forms as promised.

Read more: Kasper & Richter Meridian Pro review (1)

Reviewed by Wyatt Lichter

Now this is a compass. I think the Suunto M-3 G with the Global Needle is perhaps the best orienteering or baseplate compass on the market. Most people who've used magnetic compasses long enough in a wide variety of environments realized that a standard baseplate compass is more than adequate for map-and-compass navigation. A $20 compass will work just fine for most people and most recreational navigation, no question about it. But then you may be like me, who wanted something a bit better.

Read more: Suunto M-3 G Global review (1)

Featured review by Mountainman_270

An accurate and tough compass that will give a lifetime of service. The Tritium won't, but this can be replaced by Cammenga every 13 years or so.

I have used this compass for the past year but have tried out a phosphorescent version for some time. I use the 3H mainly for navigating at darker times as we move to lookout areas for early morning calling. I do take it out on hikes and walks to keep skills up and really like the lensatic compasses for navigation. When they are quality built they are accurate and dependable. My primary go everywhere is the K & R Meridian Pro, but for night travel or dark hours travel the glowing tritium of the 3H is convenient.

Read more: Cammenga Tritium Lensatic Compass 3H reviews (12)

Featured review by Ke7mbz

The needle on this thing is incredible. It's amazing the angles you can hold it at and still get accurate readings. It should work at just about any latitude, regardless of the magnetic dip. Sometimes this needle will block your view of the clinometer, though.The luminous dial is pretty useless. You can only read the points for a few seconds before it dims. The cardinal points are not illuminated which would be much more useful. The lanyard is too short. The slide catches, and is very hard to work.

Read more: Suunto MC-2G Global reviews (6)

Reviewed by Bill Hudson

Inexpensive, accurate, precise, and compact compass with a global needle and adjustable declination. A compass you’ll likely pack everywhere. Not loaded with features, but all the features you must have to navigate any terrain with your map. You can trust this item to do what you need it to do.

 I've heard the TruArc 3 referred to as a training compass, a starter compass, and a beginner's compass. I take exception to that because there really is no such thing. Yes, there are basic base plate compasses and more advanced base plate compasses, but that does not relegate a compass to use by either beginners or experienced land navigators. Land navigation is first and foremost a mind game little improved with gadgetry beyond the basics needed — a good topo sheet in a useable scale, an accurate compass, and knowing the magnetic declination for the area you are in.

Read more: Brunton TruArc 3 review (1)