http://store.cammenga.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=23
I received the compass I ordered today. I promised in a previous thead that I would review it when I received it.
Ok, here it is:
I expected a so-so compass of mediocre build quality.
Build quality is excellent.
Weight: Expected it to be heavy. It weigh's less than my Leatherman Wave Ti. So carry weight is not an issue.
It is an induction damped compass. It is not liquid filled (LF), so you do not have the issues you get with bubbles in liquid damped compasses.
It is rated from -50F to +160F. That equals or excedes the rating of any LF compass I have ever owned.
It comes to bearing and settles as fast as a reasonable quality liquid filled compass.
I have owned several elcheapo versions of a Mil-Spec compass. This one is the real thing.
The phosphoresent makings are easy to read at night. For any normal use, they are equal to the tritrium version.
Bearing from a map are easy to obtain, just lay along your desired line of march and rotate the bezel to line the north indicator line parallel with the northing on the map. Apply magnetic variation as required.
Obtaining bearing for resections is easy. The scales are easy to read through the sighting lens. A major consideration if, like myself, you wear glasses or are wearing goggles.
If I was put in the position of having to have only one compass, and my life depended on it, this one would get very serious consideration.
Any compass can be broken if enough force is applied, however I would expect that anything that destroyes this compass would be fatal to the bearer.
I should point out that this is not the best choice for a neophyte hillwalker, but any serious Rescue, Military or Forum member should consider owning one.
Disclaimer: I payed for this compass, so you may consider this an independent endorsment form someone who does not do second best. <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the review! I wanted one ... then I convinced myself that I really shouldn't be wanting one ... now after your review I want one again.

Could I ask why you say this? I've read that the lensatics are not as good as baseplate compasses for hiking-type navigation. But the reasons why people say this are not obvious to me. My guess would be because to do much work on a map you might need a seperate protractor. While it might be more of a hassle to carry a protractor, the lensatic/protractor combination seems more intuitive to me than a baseplate compass. Maybe my mind is backwards from everybody else!

as a former U.S.ARMY INFANTRYMAN this type of compass was my bread and butter in the field...its a very good item of kit...and along with a good map and protractor i did and still do land nav....beware of fakes and keep it away from saltwater......vince g. 11b inf...

The reason why I don't think it is best for a neophyte hillwalker is because you have to orientate the map in order to obtain a bearing. Or use a protractor. People who are new to navigation find a Silva 1-2-3 baseplate compass easier to comprehend in the early stages.
It's more an issue of building their confidence than anything else. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Once they have the basics down pat, then introduce them to a lensatic compass.