Compass suggestions

Lately Ive been learning how to use a compass to its full potential and its time to upgrade to a nice one instead of the one I have. I need suggestions from you guys with compass experiance on what is a good one and what isnt. I need one that I can read all degree marks and everything else in total darkness. any of you former infantry guys know of a compass make that would work, or has the compass became a thing of the past in this day and age of GPS's and the like?

compasses are STILL very important, for 2 reasons.
1. the GPS system is over taxed in this day and age with even civilian gps units using them.
2. A compass doesn't use a battery to work.

Suunto makes quite a few excellent compasses. the global matchbox compass, for instance, is a good one.

it's expensive though..Brunton also makes an excellent compass.

Brunton Eclipse

I'm thinking you'd like this one...though if you absolutely have to have an arrow to follow, try this one out Dakar touring compass

Ultimately, you have to choose the one you want, for your needs.
I suggest you take a nice walk through the compass store and find the one you like! :)
the compass store

DeSilva (sp?) makes a good compass designed for topo map orienteering. Very light and reasonably durable, I have had mine for over 25 years. Adjustable for magnetic pole to true pole correction if your map has the alignment correction on it. Not always seen on a large scale topo/road maps but using a pocket topo hiking map of a small area, the offset can be significant.

the magnetic declination (magnetic north to true north difference) also plays a role when navigating..land navigation isn't hard, it just required attention to detail.
Desilva also makes a very good compass! I use Brunton as well as suuntu compasses and have had no problems with them.

Thanks Tower for the links. I got a freind in the military surplus business, I may check with him too. I like the one with the clear base plate but I dont think it will "glow" in the dark. ONTH, the military model doesnt seem to be as useful as the one with the clear base plate. Maybe Im wanting the compass to do to much???

brickmanDan wrote:Thanks Tower for the links. I got a freind in the military surplus business, I may check with him too. I like the one with the clear base plate but I dont think it will "glow" in the dark. ONTH, the military model doesnt seem to be as useful as the one with the clear base plate. Maybe Im wanting the compass to do to much???

The ideal would be a DeSilva for direct map reading and a lensatic compass for taking visual bearings on distant landmarks. Or something to give you the best of both.in one package.

Joe B. wrote:

brickmanDan wrote:Thanks Tower for the links. I got a freind in the military surplus business, I may check with him too. I like the one with the clear base plate but I dont think it will "glow" in the dark. ONTH, the military model doesnt seem to be as useful as the one with the clear base plate. Maybe Im wanting the compass to do to much???

The ideal would be a DeSilva for direct map reading and a lensatic compass for taking visual bearings on distant landmarks. Or something to give you the best of both.in one package.

Yeah, Joe i think your right. two compasses geared to different jobs might be the way to go. decisions, decisions, as the mound of equipment im accumulating keeps getting larger

You can always navigate the Daniel Boone way. Old Dan said he had never been lost. But he was a might turned around for three days.

Joe B. wrote:You can always navigate the Daniel Boone way. Old Dan said he had never been lost. But he was a might turned around for three days.

I could I guess but its always good to have "options". Besides I have been lost once while hunting on military reservation for a few hours, not a comfortable feeling.

I have had the same Silva compass for over 40 years. I recommend the one with the sighting mirror. They are very easy to learn to use and very well made.