Katherine Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 Anybody care to share their favorite make and model handheld compass?Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EEL Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 Katherine:My $.02.If you are looking for a handheld compass to tether to your PFD, then any simple, small card compass will do the job. There is no need to get one that has a declination/variation adjustment and the mechanism would likely just corrode and stop working anyway. Something like this is all you need: http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___81216I like the dual function aspect of this compass as I can use the mirror for signaling. The sighting function is marginally useful:http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___87099There are many brands and nearly all of them will get job done. To me some brands have bezels that are nicer to use/read, but area of personal preference. Ed Lawson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterB Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 Suunto M-3D ($34.00 at REI)or Suunto A-10 ($ 14.50 at REI)both are fine and handy, fit in pfd, the A-10 is smaller and handier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 I like compasses with longer base plates.For under $3 one can pick one on epay:http://www.ebay.com/itm/Baseplate-Ruler-Map-Scale-Compass-Scouts-Camping-Hiking-/270766058336I have a few of these that I lend out. If they don't get returned it's short $'s and they don't seem to get air bubbles any sooner than a $45 one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Allen Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 re: sighting compasses (mirrored sight for getting bearing to landmark). I've had the mirrored backing corrode off in a season or two from constant salt water immersion and drying. bestPhil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnHuth Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 I like the compasses with mirrors - just have to wash them off - I splash some of my drinking water on them at the end of a paddleMy standard is the Suunto MC-2 I find that my sighting precision increases, and I can also look simultaneously at the dial and visually correct for variation - just makes my life easier. Just my preference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gyork Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 I like compasses with longer base plates. For under $3 one can pick one on epay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Baseplate-Ruler-Map-Scale-Compass-Scouts-Camping-Hiking-/270766058336 Like the idea of a longer baseplate when determining bearings on my chart, while at sea, so much so that I will order up a few, and of course confirm (at $1.42! [think MIDAS muffler commercial]) its accuracy, as everyone should, before employment. There is absolutely NO reason while this piece of equipment shouldn't be in every reader's PFD pocket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael_Crouse Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 I have something like this, it was cheaper though, a lot cheaper, maybe $60http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=1496374&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&storeId=11151&storeNum=50714&subdeptNum=50715&classNum=50716#.Us3BL5GLTRo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katherine Posted January 9, 2014 Author Share Posted January 9, 2014 Thank you, gentlemen of NSPN! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
... Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 Katherine,All great ideas listed above! I happen to use the Suunto M-3D Leader Compass which I purchased at REI. Since I wear eyeglasses, I needed to hold the compass in my hands and make sure I could read it easily. The one I use is easy for me to read.This past summer I was paddling with a person who had a good compass but he could not easily read it. He bought it via the web without testing it first. My suggestion is to test it before you buy it.Warren Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gyork Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 Like the idea of a longer baseplate when determining bearings on my chart, while at sea, so much so that I will order up a few, and of course confirm (at $1.42! [think MIDAS muffler commercial]) its accuracy, as everyone should, before employment. There is absolutely NO reason while this piece of equipment shouldn't be in every reader's PFD pocket.Of the 10 that came in the mail, 2 are defective. All others oriented well, but field tests to follow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 Of the 10 that came in the mail, 2 are defective. All others oriented well, but field tests to follow.I am sure that once you can contact the seller and get the two defective ones replaced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joyce Carpenter Posted February 7, 2014 Share Posted February 7, 2014 After the nav session, I went straight for the compasses. Pru recommended that I get the same compass she has, and had the sales guy take me over. He said he uses, and recommends, the same one: Suunto M-3 Explorer Compass. I'm not sure how it differs from Warren's Leader model, but the one I have is only good in the northern hemisphere. But, as Pru said, when I go to Antarctica, I'll have lots more than just a new compass to gather up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nancy Hill Posted February 9, 2014 Share Posted February 9, 2014 The Suunto card compasses are good for plotting courses on charts. For a handheld compass, you can't beat one that is specifically made for that purpose. I use a Vion mini 2000 handheld compass. I've always carried the plotting compass (I have a Suunto) and a handheld/bearing compass.http://www.pioneer-research.com/vion/vion.asp-Nancy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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