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 Not Lost-Really

A compass marketed to elite orienteers and designed for high-speed orienteering.

X-compass (formerly moscompass) makes a variety of compasses and plates to suit just about any orienteer. After using the Str8 Evo for about a year, I wanted to try the x-compass model 8*:  To try the rainbow dial to see if it helps me in holding a bearing A magnifier at a decent price (a magnifier for my Str8 compass costs more than this compass and magnifier combined) The best combination of speed and stability from x-compass I understand that the Silva compasses form bubbles more easily (a friend who purchased a Silva when I purchased this received it with a bubble) The packaging is simpler than the other premium compasses Here you can see some of the plate varieties and a few of their higher end compass models Ease of use: This is a thumb...

Read more: X-Compass Model 8* Super Elite review (1)

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 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 Charles Polidano

Solar-powered altimeter, barometer and compass (ABC) watch with temperature sensor, world time, stopwatch, and timer.

The Casio PRG270 Suunto and Garmin watches represent the gold standard in hikers’ watches and the Casio PRG270 will inevitably be compared to them. However, it should be kept in mind that the PRG270 is basically an altimeter, barometer and compass (ABC) watch, with the addition of a temperature sensor, world time, stopwatch and timer. It does not have GPS or advanced athletics functions, and it does not connect to your smartphone like the Garmin Fenix 3. Leaving aside these key differences, the main advantage of the PRG270 over Suunto and Garmin watches is that it is solar-powered.

Read more: Casio Pro Trek reviews (2)

Reviewed by Evan

Features for days! Altimeter, barometer, compass, thermometer, sunrise/sunset data, and much more. Ease of Use: This is something that I felt could use some help. I may be spoiled on the ease of touch screens now, but cycling through all the menus is a pain. Price For a solar powered "ABC" watch with a ton of features that can stand up to the abuse the Rangeman can and still look great, I think the price is a steal.

While the Rangeman may be the best G Shock watch on the market, it doesn't mean it's the best choice for everyone. Don't know if it's right for you? Just take our little test and see which side you fall on: It's for you You enjoy the outdoors You need a watch that can take some abuse You like knowing things like your current altitude, the exact minute the sun will set, or exactly which way North is You own at least one article of camo clothing It's not for you You have bad eyesight You don't ever leave your house You don't know what a barometer is You've never spent more than $100 for a watch G Shock Rangeman Watch Features Barometer Before the days of weathermen and weather apps, we had to figure out ourselves if it was going to rain.

Read more: Casio G-Shock Series 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)

Featured review by Mike Mineart

This is a nice well made compass with the basic set of features you should have if you intend to use it for navigation. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this compass to anyone looking for a compass to use while backpacking, hunting, etc.

First off, I want to say that I received this compass as a gift for being a past Reviewer of the Month here at Trailspace. I think it might be helpful to give you an overview of my background with respect to navigation skills so that you can put my review in perspective with how you might intend to use this compass. For the last 30 years or so I have always carried a map and compass for any areas where I go hiking and consider it one of the ten essentials that I always carry in my pack. While I don't consider myself an expert by any means on navigation, I do feel I have solid skills with respect to being able to use a map, compass, and altimeter to figure out my way home.

Read more: Brunton TruArc 5 reviews (4)