My vote for the best value also would go to whichever clear base field compass you prefer (Suunto, Silva, Nexus, & Brunton are all good). The Suunto A-1000 is under $10 and includes a 1:24000 and a 1:62500 scale that is handy for USGS quad maps. If you think you might eventually be using a GPS unit much you might want to spring a bit more (<$25) for something like the Suunto GPS Plotter Compass that simplifies locating UTM coordinates on maps.
mrbill -- I'm also a geologist of sorts (geomorphologist). Although I used my Brunton pocket transit for structure lab and field camp, these days I generally prefer a Suunto sighting compass (K-14)for everything but taking strikes and dips. The newer ones now even have declination adjustment. I find that I can sight bearings at least twice as fast with a KB-14 than with my Brunton. One thing I noticed about Brunton pocket transits from trying a bunch of them at field camp is that some have much steadier needles than others. Perhaps mine being an Internation Waterproof version is one of the more jumpier ones. So it goes. Cheers! -Alan
[This message has been edited by Alan_B (edited 06-08-2000).]
