I need a good "cheap" compass

Monofletch

Monofletch

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I am looking for a new compass. I don't need bells and whistles, just reliability and dependability on a budget. I have a Silva now, but I need a couple more. I learned how to navigate in the ARMY and enjoy using my compass. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks
 
If you need a few more just buy a few Silva 1-2-3. You can find them for less than $10 each. A better compass is the Brunton TruArc3. It has both a global needle and tool-less adjustable declination. You can find them for $10 - $15 each.
 
Suunto M-3 Leader. :thumbup: Smooth bezel, long-lasting and reliable, and deeply cut lettering that won't wear off. Under $50.
 
Bob W said:
Suunto M-3 Leader. :thumbup: Smooth bezel, long-lasting and reliable, and deeply cut lettering that won't wear off. Under $50.
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There really is no reason to spend that much money on a compass. You can get a compass with top-notch magnetic cobalt steels for needles that remain accurate for many years, adjustable declination, and a global needle for much cheaper in the TruArc3. Here's a review I wrote on and outdoors review site not long ago:


Price Paid: $10


Summary: Inexpensive, accurate, precise, and compact compass with a global needle and adjustable declination. A compass you’ll likely pack everywhere. Not loaded with features, but all the features you must have to navigate any terrain with your map. You can trust this item to do what you need it to do.


Pros
•Global needle
•Tool-less adjustable declination
•Price!


Cons
•Lack of grid reference alignments on bottom of needle housing

Brunton%2520TruArc%25203.JPG

I've heard the TruArc 3 referred to as a training compass, a starter compass, and a beginner's compass. I take exception to that because there really is no such thing. Yes, there are basic base plate compasses and more advanced base plate compasses, but that does not relegate a compass to use by either beginners or experienced land navigators.

Land navigation is first and foremost a mind game little improved with gadgetry beyond the basics needed — a good topo sheet in a useable scale, an accurate compass, and knowing the magnetic declination for the area you are in. The TruArc 3 might be basic, but it does everything it should with some features only much more expensive compasses have, namely the ability to set the declination and a global needle. All that for $10.

I’ve been using compasses and topo sheets for four decades starting with a Silva Type 5 as a teenager and a SandY (Stoker and Yale) lensatic and Silva Ranger 15 for a couple of decades in the Army. In the last year I couldn’t find my old Silva Ranger so I shopped around thinking I’d get another Silva Ranger. That's when I came across Brunton’s TruArc line of compasses. I was floored to find a compass with a global needle and adjustable declination for only $10. TEN BUCKS!

I last traveled to the Southern Hemisphere 17 years ago so I’ve not used this compass in multiple magnetic zones, but with the needle’s pivot and the depth of the housing I have to assume the compass can handle the magnetic dip of other magnetic zones without dragging the needle. The needle is also rapidly responsive and quickly dampens. This is a fast compass to use.

Brunton advertises this compass as having a 2 degree resolution/accuracy and with my use of it I have no reason to believe otherwise. I don’t know what specific steel is used, nor do I know the expected life of the needle, but Brunton is known for using top-notch magnetic cobalt steels for needles that remain accurate for many years.

I must admit that at first I just couldn't get the hang of the tool-less declination adjustment. Just squeeze the top and bottom of the housing with your thumb and forefinger of one hand and twist the housing's bezel with your thumb and forefinger of your other hand to set the declination. Took me a while to figure out just the right amount of pressure to apply. I nearly gave up, but I've got it now. It's so simply, I'm a bit embarrassed to admit I couldn't get it at first. Once the declination is set there are no worries about it inadvertently shifting.

I haven’t tried setting the declination with gloved hands and probably never will. I'm just never out where I need a compass when it's that cold. If I do find myself in that situation I imagine I’ll need to remove a glove to set the declination. If that’s the case while wearing gloves, I’ll just revert to adding/subtracting the declination angle as appropriate.

And for you gram and ounce counters — 31 grams, just a hair over one ounce.

If you are intrigued but want more features, the TruArc 10 has all the pros of the TruArc 3, but with a larger base plate which includes scaled protractors for 1:10K, 1:24K, 1:50K, 1:62.5K, and 1:63.36K at the attractive price of $30-$35.

That said, I don't regret passing on the TruArc 10 for the TruArc 3 as the TruArc 3 has everything I need. This will probably be the last compass I buy in my lifetime. Short of losing or breaking it or wearing off the bezel's degree markings, I just can’t see a need for another compass.
 
Legohog nailed it, but the first thing I think of when I think "survival mode" and "emergency compass" is a trick I learned when I was a pre-teen: Rub a sewing needle (chunk of paper clip or other similar ferrous metal) in a single direction against a knife blade for 20 seconds to magnetize it, then float it on water (small piece of paper, cork, bark shaving, etc. underneath).
It will rotate on the water-bearing to show magnetic North.

Not convenient, but in an emergency...

(Or, you could just use a cellphone compass app :-)

compassneedleleaf.jpg
 
leghog said:
There really is no reason to spend that much money on a compass. You can get a compass with top-notch magnetic cobalt steels for needles that remain accurate for many years, adjustable declination, and a global needle for much cheaper in the TruArc3. Here's a review I wrote on and outdoors review site not long ago:
Click to expand...

You've made a very compelling case in favor of that $10 Brunton.
Although I haven't used that exact model, in my twelve years as a professional archaeologist I've used many inexpensive compasses, including many from Brunton. And in my experience: the numbers quickly wear off because they aren't cut into the plastic deeply enough; they always develop bubbles (especially when subjected to extreme temps or elevation changes); and the bezels are susceptible to sand and grit.

The worst was a small yellow Brunton compass. The directional numbers weren't even painted on the plastic; they were a paper sticker :eek: that lasted about a day.
I even tried a more expensive Brunton once, from the Eclipse line. That one lasted a week before the numbers were worn completely off the base. :grumpy:

From your own review:
Cons
•Lack of grid reference alignments on bottom of needle housing
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The Suunto has that. And yes, it's important.
Suunto-M-3-CM-118.png

This photo is the most basic model. There's an upgrade model with a global needle and incline tool, if you need those.

---------

Beware of the low-end Suunto compasses that some stores carry. I think they are the A-10 series. They look similar to the M3, but are vastly inferior. The bezels, in particular, are very cheap and easily ruined by sand and gunk. I was fooled once...
 
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I like to carry a cheep bubble type pin on compass along with whatever my main compass is.
 
She said the mirror is very important as you can look good when you are rescued !!! And don t hesitate to bring a spare, I've seen that needed too !
 
Bob W said:
Suunto-M-3-CM-118.png

This photo is the most basic model.
Click to expand...
The Suunto A10 is more basic and can be had for $12 (~one-third the price of the M3 CM you pictured). Between he the A10 or M3 and TruArc3 I still recommend the TruArc3. Using it more and more just reinforces that.
 
leghog said:
The Suunto A10 is more basic and can be had for $12 (~one-third the price of the M3 CM you pictured).
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I bought one of those on accident once. Big mistake. Even worse, I paid over $20 at an outdoor store in Albuquerque. :(
 
Basic suunto here. I also have a pin on bubble compass on my binocular strap which is very handy as well.
 
I use a Brunton 8040G as my "cheap compass". I like having a mirror. It does everything I need doing. For casual outings, I have a Victorinox compass that I can wear around my neck if I choose to. It has a mirror too.
 
robgmn said:
Legohog nailed it, but the first thing I think of when I think "survival mode" and "emergency compass" is a trick I learned when I was a pre-teen: Rub a sewing needle (chunk of paper clip or other similar ferrous metal) in a single direction against a knife blade for 20 seconds to magnetize it, then float it on water (small piece of paper, cork, bark shaving, etc. underneath).
It will rotate on the water-bearing to show magnetic North.

Not convenient, but in an emergency...

(Or, you could just use a cellphone compass app :-)

compassneedleleaf.jpg
Click to expand...

I used to do that as a kid when we would go camping or hunting. Fun stuff for kids. THe Silva would be as good as any, no need to spend a fortune on a designer compass.
 
I'd have a look at the Suunto MC-2. Its our standard compass for bush work. Sighting mirror, rugged, dependable. Should be around $45-50 (at least here in Canada). They make a version with a global needle but unless you plan on southern hemisphere use, I wouldn't worry about it.
 
Monofletch said:
I am looking for a new compass. I don't need bells and whistles, just reliability and dependability on a budget. I have a Silva now, but I need a couple more. I learned how to navigate in the ARMY and enjoy using my compass. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks
Click to expand...

A no bells and whistles compass?

Easy, check out TRUNORD compass manufacturers.

US made for 80 yrs, rugged, dependable and not expensive.
 
I have the same Brunton that leghog posted about. Excellent bang for the buck. Brunton and Silva used to and may still do have some identical models as they had the same ownership (maybe still do?).
 
Brisket said:
I have the same Brunton that leghog posted about. Excellent bang for the buck. Brunton and Silva used to and may still do have some identical models as they had the same ownership (maybe still do?).
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Silva Group owned Brunton at one time. No longer same owners. Silva now marketed in N. America is now owned by Johnson Outdoors who has the compasses made in Asia. Six years ago Fenix Outdoor AB (Swedish) bought Brunton, but Brunton compasses are still made in the USA.
 
leghog said:
Silva Group owned Brunton at one time. No longer same owners. Silva now marketed in N. America is now owned by Johnson Outdoors who has the compasses made in Asia. Six years ago Fenix Outdoor AB (Swedish) bought Brunton, but Brunton compasses are still made in the USA.
Click to expand...

Good to know, thanks!
 
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