Which compass do you use?

J

jlamb

Joined
Nov 25, 2009
Messages
211
I was reading about the RAT training and it looks like they recommend the Silva Ranger. I dont know how to use one, but am planning to learn very soon. Which compass do you like for your time in the woods? I read somewhere that the Silva ranger sold in the US isnt actually the same model that is well known and the most similar to the real ranger is the brunton 15tdcl. Confused?
 
I just bought a TruNord backup compass. I look forward to checking it out. They're supposed to be top notch.
 
I've been using the Brunton 8099 Eclipse for about 3 years now and really like it!

8099.jpg
 
I use a Suunto MC-2G. It allows for global use and worldwide declination. It's been a great compass and the only other I've used that was better was the Global Lenstatic Titrinium that I used in the Marine Corps. Semper Fi!
 
I second the Silva Ranger. It is a complicated compass if you are just used to the basic types, but it is a great tool. It is what I use whenever I go into the woods, and it was the one the Forest Service issues to their employees who work in the field, include the fire crews. It will do everything you can ask, you just have to learn how to use it properly.
 
Military Camennga lensatic.

The Silva rangers sold in the U.S. are nowhere close to as good as the old ones.

The Brunton 8099 is subject to severe reading errors. I do not recommend it to anyone at all and I used to use the same compass.

Suunto MC 2G is a good compass for one of that design. But the military lensatic is better.
It is easier to learn to use, dampens faster and is not subject to leaks or bubbles which acn destroy accuracy.

An excellent site for land navigation instruction is landnav.org loads and loads of excellent and free info.

An excellent comparison of the Cammenga lensatic against the Silva ranger and suunto type is on the Cammenga website cammenga.com
 
I still need to learn the proper use of one but I have the old school type military with the flip up site and wire running through the cutout on the top half. Its a lot bigger than most new ones but I had a similar one when I was younger and couldn't bring myself to get anything different.
 
I have both the military lensatic that I carried on active duty and the Silva Ranger my wife bought me for the SF Q-Course.
I like 'em both!

Regards,
Ranger325
 
jlamb said:
I was reading about the RAT training and it looks like they recommend the Silva Ranger. I dont know how to use one, but am planning to learn very soon. Which compass do you like for your time in the woods? I read somewhere that the Silva ranger sold in the US isnt actually the same model that is well known and the most similar to the real ranger is the brunton 15tdcl. Confused?
Click to expand...

I have a new Silva Ranger CL that I have been intending to sell. It's still sealed in the blister pack.
 
Thanks for the feedback everyone! Now, if you dont mind, if you were a beginner, would you go with the military compass? I have read reviews and it states that they are pretty easy to use/learn.
 
No, because the military compass is not well suited to laying out a course on a chart. A base plate compass is much better for that application.
 
Silva Type 15 with the declination adjustment. Then all your bearings are grid rather than having to convert mag to grid. One less thing to do. The declination changes depending on where in the world you happen to be so a Suunto MC2 would be a good option if you travel as it is a global compass with a gimbal mounted needle rather than the pin type pivot. They are both sighting compass's as well so are very good, accurate navigation tools. A simple Silva Type 3 base plate compass is a great learning or back-up compass. I have never had much luck with brunton compass's due to the build quality and bubbles in the unit but that may have just been a bad couple.
 
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