Now that is funny. I thought I was the only goof that did that kind of thing. Just tonight I was sitting doing repeated sightings with my Brunton 8099 and Brunton 15DTCL - partially to remind myself why I like the 8099 better (I do!! the ciircle-in-circle thing really is MUCH easier to use than the arrow box on the 15TDCL) and to look at the repeatability. The 8099 was repeating within 1.5 degrees. The 15TDCL was within 3 or more degrees.

Tomorrow morning I'll repeat this some more to give you a better answer.

By the way, another reason I like the 8099 is that rubber boot that many don't seem to like. I store the 15TDCL in a plastic bag to keep it from getting scratched up, but I don't have to do that with the 8099.

I actually have two 8099's. A while back my first one got a bubble in it. I tried to fix it by putting it under a lamp ... and promptly melted the capsule (argh!). I liked it so much I bought a new one. My wife e-mailed Brunton asking if they could repair the old one - they did - for free.

The new one has different printing on the dial. I can't remember the details - I think they switched the green/black numbers. I'll check both tomorrow and report on the difference. I'll also check the repeatability on both compasses.