A bubble in mine complete locks up the compass card...it will not rotate at all. I generally get about a 1/4" bubble anytime this compass leaves sealevel. The bubble tips is off the bearing point...it has nothing to do with surface area adhesion preventing it from swinging just that it is not on a pivot to swing at all.

I am surprised yours rotates at all with the bubble, I wonder if they have improved or modified the capsule since my last replacement.

I would guess any elevation change with your 8099 would lock it up.

I will never trust this compass design.