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#199291 - 03/31/10 12:02 AM Re: Recommendation for a decent compass [Re: jzmtl]
KenK Offline
"Be Prepared"
Pooh-Bah

Registered: 06/26/04
Posts: 2208
Loc: NE Wisconsin
Hmmm, so you're saying that the declination scale zero degree mark on the back wasn't lined up with the bezel scale zero degree mark on the front?

I might recommend the Silva Expedition 15 (outside the U.S., I think) or the Brunton 15TDCL (inside the U.S.). It is made by Silva of Sweden.

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#199292 - 03/31/10 12:02 AM Re: Recommendation for a decent compass [Re: jzmtl]
hikermor Offline
Geezer in Chief
Geezer

Registered: 08/26/06
Posts: 7705
Loc: southern Cal
I pulled out my trusty MC-2D, essentially the same model you have, to see what the deal is. My declination and south line up precisely, or at least as well as my aged eyes can discern. My particular model is at least fifteen years old.

Now I can set the declination scale so that it does not point directly to south, by one degree, two degrees, or more. That is the purpose of the very small brass screw on the back of the compass ring (at least that is where it is on mine) and that is why there is that very tiny screwdriver on the lanyard. The idea is that I can set the declination to whatever value is appropriate for the region in which I am traveling.

If the compass ring and the declination scale are centered on the same point, and you can change the declination offset, I would think your compass is perfectly fine....

We may need to resort to pictures......
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#199295 - 03/31/10 12:36 AM Re: Recommendation for a decent compass [Re: hikermor]
jzmtl Offline
Addict

Registered: 03/18/10
Posts: 530
Loc: Montreal Canada
Here's a pic to show what I mean. Ignore the orientation arrorw, it's set to my local declination.

If I draw a line from center of compass to the 0, +90 and -90 of the declination scale, it doesn't intersect with the corresponding S, E, W marking on outer ring, but off by 1 or 2 degrees. So either the vial or the outer ring is misaligned, and if I were to set the declination according to the scale, 0 wouldn't be quite 0, and my reading would be off by a degree or two, or am I over thinking it?



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#199301 - 03/31/10 01:23 AM Re: Recommendation for a decent compass [Re: jzmtl]
Russ Offline
Geezer

Registered: 06/02/06
Posts: 5357
Loc: SOCAL
I had to pull out my MC-2G to do a valid comparison and I don't see it. My declination scale lines up perfectly with the compass scale. That must be a bad lot of MC-2G units. That said, I notice in the picture the scales at E, W and S are all off consistently ~+1/2 degree. What would that mean?
_________________________
Better is the Enemy of Good Enough.
Okay, what’s your point??

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#199312 - 03/31/10 04:15 AM Re: Recommendation for a decent compass [Re: jzmtl]
scafool Offline
Pooh-Bah

Registered: 12/18/08
Posts: 1534
Loc: Muskoka
Maybe if you contact Brunton they will send you a better one because it does sound like you found a bad run of them.
http://www.brunton.com/faq.php?pr=Compasses
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May set off to explore without any sense of direction or how to return.

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#199334 - 03/31/10 12:18 PM Re: Recommendation for a decent compass [Re: scafool]
BorkBorkBork Offline
Journeyman

Registered: 02/22/10
Posts: 70
Loc: Sweden
Sorry but I do not get it either, have you tried to adjust the scale as hikermor suggested?

Originally Posted By: Russ
I notice in the picture the scales at E, W and S are all off consistently ~+1/2 degree. What would that mean?


That would mean that someone has adjusted the compass to a declination of ~+1/2 degree.

--edit--
yes, the assembly is wrong


Edited by BorkBorkBork (03/31/10 01:04 PM)
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#199337 - 03/31/10 12:42 PM Re: Recommendation for a decent compass [Re: BorkBorkBork]
scafool Offline
Pooh-Bah

Registered: 12/18/08
Posts: 1534
Loc: Muskoka
No, what Jzmtl is saying is right. His degree bezel and declination scale seem to be out of register.

On that model you adjust declination by moving the arrow that your needle is supposed to line up over.
The scale doesn't move relative to the bezel because it is part of the capsule base.

But again I am not sure if it is worth worrying about or if it is easier to just note it when setting your declination.

Like I have mentioned before, small hand held compasses are usually limited to about 2 degrees accuracy anyhow. It is both the local magnetic variation and the mechanical limitation of the instrument at work.
Hopefully small errors cancel instead of accumulate, which is why you try to eliminate systematic errors that would add up over repeated sightings.

For most work a compass like Jzmat has would be acceptable.
A 2 degree error works out to about 92 feet over a mile.




Edited by scafool (03/31/10 01:59 PM)
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May set off to explore without any sense of direction or how to return.

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#199340 - 03/31/10 01:03 PM Re: Recommendation for a decent compass [Re: scafool]
BorkBorkBork Offline
Journeyman

Registered: 02/22/10
Posts: 70
Loc: Sweden
Yes, I see now, the "off" in your compass is actually annoying.
Mine isn't at all like that. The scale should be perfectly aligned.

a short video on declination setting
view from 2:13
http://compass-howto.com/%20/featured-videos/magnetic-declination/
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Stay warm out there !

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#199342 - 03/31/10 01:57 PM Re: Recommendation for a decent compass [Re: BorkBorkBork]
scafool Offline
Pooh-Bah

Registered: 12/18/08
Posts: 1534
Loc: Muskoka
Yes, I think I would find it annoying too if I had spent good money for a compass and found a built in error.
Even if it was a small error.
_________________________
May set off to explore without any sense of direction or how to return.

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#199343 - 03/31/10 02:03 PM Re: Recommendation for a decent compass [Re: scafool]
KenK Offline
"Be Prepared"
Pooh-Bah

Registered: 06/26/04
Posts: 2208
Loc: NE Wisconsin
Originally Posted By: scafool
Maybe if you contact Brunton they will send you a better one because it does sound like you found a bad run of them.
http://www.brunton.com/faq.php?pr=Compasses


I doubt Brunton will send a new one because it was a Suunto MC-2G.

grin

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