What would be your selection for a good compass for land navigation?

I like the Brunton 8010G and a Sunto (can't think of the model number) to go with me in the woods.

I like a compass that you can adjust for declination.

Blake

www.outdoorquest.biz

I use the Sunnto M-3D compass. Great compass for the price ($28.00 to 35.00 depending on where you shop.) The compass is very accurate for my needs which range from dense forest to open grasslands to alpine meadows. It also adjusts easily for declination.



MEC in Canada also sells the same M-3D compass for $28.00

Just so I understand ... in the old Silva Rangers, there was a screw so you could adjust the 360 bezel for local declination. Is that the same with the newer compasses? Thx.

Any in the Sunnto or Silva line will do. You can spend as much as you like but a $10 compass from a reputable company will get you there as reliably as a $120 one will. More money buys you more features, and some of those can be handy, but, in the end, a compass just tells you which way is north.

Doug, That is the case with the Sunnto M-3D. There is a small set screw on the bottom side of the compass at roughly the 40 degree mark. The small silver tool shown on the end of the lanyard is for this set screw.

Not so sure about making a blanket statement on this. I have a cheap Silva ($14.00 originally) that I would not classify as reliable. A compass being out a few degrees over a fair distance can make a difference in finding your destination whether it be your camp or your vehicle. Sure you end up in the general area you need to be but when light is fading fast or bad weather is hitting you, I prefer to have a compass that gets me closer to where I was originally headed for.

Does anyone have any experience with the Brunton 8099? Local store has it for a good price but reviews are mixed.



Actually nevermind, I remembered I can't use any of the sighting compasses because I have one of those easyclip eyeglass frames..

The Eclipse?
I used one on a bit. Nothing wrong with them.
I thought it was a bit fiddly at first with the circles to line up but I got used to it OK.

I think the Brunton 8099 is fine if the price is good. I still use my older Silva and Sunnto compasses that have been fine for me for years but that is mostly because I am much more used to them.
However if I was buying a new compass I would certainly consider another eclipse.
I use the sighting compasses like rangers and K series Sunnto so Eclipse serves just like the Ranger compass does.

I will tell you that even if you could sight a compass to seconds instead of degrees it would not help much.
The Earth's magnetic field has enough change in it that you wont ever get better than 1 degree accuracy anyhow.
If you can get within 2 degrees true consistently you are doing very good with a magnetic compass.

Edit. I was actually answering Jzmtl but the answer holds.

I do find I have uses for the sighting compasses so I like the Ranger types with the mirrors. I am not as fond of the military style engineer compasses because I find them awkward to focus on and read when sighting a line.

It sure is. That small screw adjusts your compass for declination.

Blake

Anyone use Solar Powered Digital Compass Altimeter + Barometer + Thermometer?