Marbles liquid filled pocket compass;

I wish they were as good as the dry needle ones but they are not.The old Marbles pocket compass is about as big around as a U.S. twenty five cent piece and .25 inches thick.They are made of solid brass with a heavy cristal face and agate jeweled pivot.It is said that they have been carried by Admiral's Byrd and Perry and even Teddy Rosevelte up San Jaun Hill.The newer ones are by no means near as good quality as their old ones.They still have the brass casing but not as nicely machined.It appears to house a plastic compass vial with a plain metal pivot.And the worst of all is about 25% of the ones I saw had large air bubbles in them making them unusable.These run for around $14.00.For that price I would expect better.If you can find the old dry needle ones,GET THEM.If you find the new modle ones I would pass on them.This is just my opinion and observation.I would hope that a company like Marbles will correct this problem.I would still get any of their fine knifes though.I hope this helps...
BOATMAN
JOHN

hey boatman: try a" tru -nord" compass there made in brainerd minnesota u.s.a.... they come in a few different styles like a wrist strap type,old pin on hunters type, and a no frills small disk type..very good quality item..the price is about the same as a marpels $12.oo and under...the last one i bought was in watertown n.y. about 6 years ago ,the only place i have seen them has been in the north east?..sorry i do'nt know the web site ,but i am sure they have one. <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />.vince g.

Hey Vince
I already have two Marbles pocket compasses of the dry needle type.One with a white face and black arrow needle and one with a black disc with white graffics.They are made really well and hold up to alot of abbuse.I carry mine along with my pocket change.Marbles also makes the pin on "hunters compass"FWIW.Until I get TruNord a in my hands to check out I'll stick to what I got.I'm a stickler when it comes to quality.As I said I was just passing along some first hand observation.Later and tanx

I recently purchased 3 liquid filled Marbles compasses. The package was left on my doorstep for at least several hours during cold weather. Upon opening the package, I was at first very disappointed, as all three compasses had bubbles. However, within 30-40 minutes as they warmed up, all the bubbles were gone. While I have not left any out in the cold, none of the compasses have developed any bubbles. Since I do not have any of the older versions I cannot compare the two. I must say I am quite pleased with the quality and size. Pete

Hi Pete
Maybe quality may vary.I'm glad yours are good.Maybe the ones I've seen were a bad lot.But as I said if you can find older ones do not pass them up.These are great but a little to big for an Altoids rig
BOATMAN
JOHN

I recently purchased 3 Marble's compasses. Just checked the one in my EDC and it had no bubbles. I'll check the other 2 tonight, thanks for the good info.

I knew these would be a popular item with this forum crew.Tell us your opinion of them

I have not tried the new liquid filled Marbles models, but both of my recent vintage dry pin-on compasses failed after a few months of carry. I would not recommend them at all. Too bad really as they seemed nicely made.

www.trunord.com Excellent quality. I no longer use liquid compasses due to the bubble problem unless I'm in a watercraft.

neanderthal : i wish the company would sell their products here in the southwest..i ca'nt seem to find them here in AZ.. and i am lucky to own two different types of tru-nords ...i really enjoy simple,compact, excellent made items of equipment. <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />. ..vince g.

11BINF : I dealt with TruNord directly (snail mail). Gayle sent a small catalog (pamphlet) with my first order. Included in the catalog was another brand of fluidless compass, Eschenbach. Although not as substantially built, it has 2 degree markings which make it more suitable for azimuths. In addition to the high quality construction, I also like the fact that the TruNord compasses are compensated for declination. This may be of questionable value in the future if the earth's magnetic field is in fact changing.