Looking for the best compass money can buy.....

[Triforceofcourage]

I'm looking to buy the best compass money can buy up to $100.
Any suggestions? I will be using it for hiking and camping.
Are there military issue compasses that are sold to the general public? I would think the military would have the best ones.

Thanks,

Triforce

 

[Patranus]

http://www.specopstactical.com/genuine-tritium-compass-p-1443.html

 

[Imp]

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-eTrex-H...8859770&sr=1-3

I took this into the bush with me over the summer, pretty amazing for $85.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-eTrex-H...8859770&sr=1-3

I took this into the bush with me over the summer, pretty amazing for $85.

That's just wrong. In a situation where you're depending on a compass, you do not want to be at the mercy of batteries or malfunctioning electronics.

 

[WelshBloke]

I've always used Silva compasses but I guess any decent compass is going to do the job.

The usefulness is down to the user really.

 

[IronWing]

Brunton Pocket Transits are the best but ain't $100.

 

[ThatsABigOne]

Any android device has a compass.

 

[nickbits]

Iphone

 

[WelshBloke]

Brunton Pocket Transits are the best but ain't $100.

Thats nearly $500 and its not going to be any more accurate than one 1/10th the price.

 

[IronWing]

I've always used Silva compasses but I guess any decent compass is going to do the job.

The usefulness is down to the user really.

Silva Rangers are very nice compasses and more in line with the OP's price point.

 

[IronWing]

Thats nearly $500 and its not going to be any more accurate than one 1/10th the price.

They're indestructible and also do inclination.

 

[WelshBloke]

They're indestructible and also do inclination.

?do you mean declination? 'Cos inclination isn't that useful.

 

[IronWing]

?do you mean declination? 'Cos inclination isn't that useful.

Inclination is very useful to me (<== geologist). It does declination adjustment as well.

 

[WelshBloke]

Inclination is very useful to me (<== geologist). It does declination adjustment as well.

Ah fair enough, I was looking at it from an orienteering POV.

Got a bit confused because most decent compasses have declination adjustment. (also because its late and the beers kicking in)

Its certainly a nice compass, I'm just not convinced its 500 bucks nice. (well,not if I'm paying anyway).

 

[Imp]

Ah fair enough, I was looking at it from an orienteering POV.

Got a bit confused because most decent compasses have declination adjustment. (also because its late and the beers kicking in)

Its certainly a nice compass, I'm just not convinced its 500 bucks nice. (well,not if I'm paying anyway).

For $500, I don't see why you wouldn't just get buy 3 GPS units, and 10 packs of batteries, then buy a solid case to keep the back ups. And you can still afford 10 Wal-mart compasses.

I took one out during the summer, dropped it in at least 4 different streams multiple times, floored it, and it got me within 5m of destinations.

 

[WelshBloke]

For $500, I don't see why you wouldn't just get buy 3 GPS units, and 10 packs of batteries, then buy a solid case to keep the back ups. And you can still afford 10 Wal-mart compasses.

I took one out during the summer, dropped it in at least 4 different streams multiple times, floored it, and it got me within 5m of destinations.

Everyone who relies on a GPS compass should have a traditional one as backup.

They are cheap and hardly weigh anything.

 

[alkemyst]

Thats nearly $500 and its not going to be any more accurate than one 1/10th the price.

http://www.amazon.com/Brunton-Pocket.../dp/B000FKQKQI

$265 right now shipped

There is a lot that goes into a good compass, again WelshBloke; you are spouting off in subjects you don't understand. It's not just about finding out where north is.

OP what are you going to use your compass for exactly?

Most really just use GPS's now...

 

[lxskllr]

Brunton Pocket Transits are the best but ain't $100.

That's what I used. I have a yoke and tripod mount for mine.

 

[WelshBloke]

http://www.amazon.com/Brunton-Pocket.../dp/B000FKQKQI

$263 right now.

There is a lot that goes into a good compass, again WelshBloke; you are spouting off in subjects you don't understand. It's not just about finding out where north is.

OP what are you going to use your compass for exactly?

Most really just use GPS's now...

Woohoo, free shipping as well, bargain.

I will be using it for hiking and camping.

So come on then master of all knowledge, what makes it worth $263?

 

[lxskllr]

For hiking and camping most places, the sun should work well enough. I'd just buy a good topographical map, and pay attention.

 

[Texashiker]

Looking for the best compass money can buy.....

No offense OP, but a compass is only as good as the person using it.

In the past 10 years I have owned 3 silva liquid filled compasses, and everyone of them developed an air bubble. Thus making the compass almost useless.

I currently use a cheap china market compass + Suunto A-10 compass + Garmin etrex + USGS TOPO map. Its just personal preference, but I like to carry 2 compasses, just in case 1 breaks. And never leave home without your TOPO map.

 

[Tattare]

Iv always used a Suunto and everyone else I know at the forest service use them as well.

http://www.suunto.com/en/products/Fieldcompasses/SUUNTO-MC-2/

 

[Ichinisan]

How accurate is the compass in a modern smartphone?

 

[NikolaeVarius]

It's a freaking compass. Take a paper clip, magnetize it, and float it on the surface tension of water.

Congratulations, you have a compass that is accurate for 99&#37; of camping needs

 

[Bateluer]

It's a freaking compass. Take a paper clip, magnetize it, and float it on the surface tension of water.

Congratulations, you have a compass that is accurate for 99% of camping needs

Damn straight.