Compass

Hey everyone.

I'm looking to buy a second compass. I have used an older Silva Ranger for as long as I can remember so I figured I would just pick up another one. After doing some reading around it seems like the quality and reputation of the Silva compasses have dropped over the years and I'm having a hard time finding any good info on a decent compass. Any recommendations?

Thanks!

I use a Cammenga lensatic compass. You can check out reviews on Amazon. The cheap one is the same quality as the expensive one. It just doesn't glow in the dark as well.

Cammenga makes compasses for the military

The dial rotates more freely on the Commanga than the cheap lensatic compass I have. It settles down very quickly.

If your eyes are good, it can also be used without the sighting window.

I've found it to be extremely accurate.

I have used a Suunto MC for many years. As far as I know, they still make a reliable product and receive favorable reviews.

I've got quite a collection of compasses and yes, quality of Silvas has dropped but they still work. Search for "orienteering compasses" or "orienteering supply" and you'll find some nice equipment.

Even the Cammenga lensatics, although made for the military, can be faulty. I've got the tritium version and had to sand the straight edge straight. The castings aren't "precision". It's bomb proof but heavy.

My two favorite "gizmo" compasses are the Swiss Army/Suunto Box compass...lots of stuff in a little package, but the print is too small for my eyes. Very well made.
http://www.amazon.com/Suunto-SS010605011...8336&sr=8-4

...and the Moscow #2 thumb compass for orienteering. Built like a tank, very precision markings, super fast/stable needle. You can run with this compass and the needle DOES NOT MOVE. Can be hard to find, but I got mine of ebay a few years ago. Orienteering suppliers carry them.
http://www.moscompass.ru/mc/cat-en.html

And then, the compass I hike with most of all...a Silva #11 whistle compass. Small, light, tough, been around the world with me. I don't care about straight edges/bezels/markings, only good maps and where north is. The whistle is a bonus and useful. I wear it around my neck, with a coin cell light.
This thing has become hard to find in the US....Look around, somebody has one, somewhere.
http://www.getprice.com.au/Silva-11-Whistle-Compass-466-Gpnc_375--49952180.htm

If you want the "old" Silva Ranger, then you need to buy the Brunton 15TDCL. It is the same thing with the same quality. The Silva company in the US is different than the one that made the old Silva Ranger. There is a Silva company in Europe that made the Silva Ranger. They changed their US name to Brunton. Hopefully that makes sense. And, the Brunton 15TDCL is the same price and the "new" Silva Ranger.

When getting a quality compass, I personally stick to Suunto and Brunton. I am sure there are other better ones, but these are the ones I know about.

Thanks for all the responses guys! All good usefull information!

Dryer, some of those compasses look pretty badass! I think I am going to look more into the Moscow #2. I think that would be a fun compass to play around with.


Finallyme, I'm just about to take my brand new Brunton 15TDCL out of its package. After reading what you said I did a bit more research on it and all evidence points towards my old Silva Ranger I know and love.

As you can all tell I'm new to this forum. Thanks for helping out the newb and I look forward to contributing all that I can!

I was in the same boat you were, except I never had an original Silva Ranger. I just wanted one, cuz everyone had such great praise of it. But web research turned up basically what I told you. So, last year I pulled the trigger and got the Brunton. So far, I have been pretty impressed with it.