It's too quiet in here, time for another controversial question. (Listens to Chaos weeping.) Lol Just kiddin' Chaos. Here it is. What compass do you rely on most? Please specify make, model and why it's your choice. Over the past several yars my skills have become a bit rusty so I've been practicing with a cheap base plate model from Wal-Mart until I find my old Silva.

Suunto army issue, I was trained in its use 16 years ago and it has never let me down. it's easy to operate and maintain and operates in mils vs deg which I have become used to over the years. I thought about upgrading once or twice but if it ain't broke.....

I am a fan of the Suunto Amphibian compass. I also have a compass on my rugged phone that allows me to "cheat" (it is a true compass and not just GPS, though it does have that)

I have thought several times of getting a Casio Triple Sensor watch that has a built in compass as well but not 100% sure how good they are.

Tyber..


(edit for spelling)

I have a Casio Twin Sensor which contains a compass which seems accurate enough, although I have never had to use it in a pinch. Still,it is a nice backup. My main compass is a Suunto MG, which I have carried it for years, but rarely needed to use it. On land, in the mountain west, a compass is a it like a first aid kit. You carry it a lot, but rarely use it. But when you need it, you really need it. It is important to be aware of sources of local variation, which can deflect even the est and most expensive compasses.

I assume we are talking about compass use for route finding, and not for surveying or map making, which is an entirely different kettle of fish.

Controversy would be declaring "the age of the compass is over - the iwhatever will be better."

I think my compass is a Suunto. I haven't pulled it out of its pouch in the last 10 or more hikes. It's one of about 8 that I own. I'm not real particular about compasses. I just don't want bubbles in the capsule.

I have all cheap compasses. I don't use them all that much. I can usually tell which way is north by the sun.

but sometimes the clouds restrict my ability to see the sun and I am forced to use one of my various $1-5 compasses.

Mostly, if it is 5 or 10 degrees off it does not make much difference to me. I am not doing any precision navigation here. I am trying to follow a trail that is on a map mostly.

I have an inexpensive milsurp lensatic compass that I'm partial to.

I do not use a compass much except for general directions. I usually rely on terrain association, unless I am in featureless terrain, night, heavy fog or dense forest. I have a variety of Suunto, Silva and Brunton. When I am teaching, I generally use the Brunton because I have the instructor kit from that company. But I generally teach more reliance on terrain association and a good map.

Check out Grady's recommendation from a previous thread on compasses:

http://forums.equipped.org/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=240212&page=3

TruNord compasses seem well-constructed, and sets declination for your location.

No mirror: Suunto M3G with the global needle

Mirrored: Suunto MC2G with the global needle

Moving fast on an orienteering course: Suunto Arrow 6

Many people who say precision landnav skills are not necessary actually don't have those skills or the experience to know if the skills would be of use.