What kind of compass should i buy

The fluorescent directional arrow and dial let you maintain your readings when the sun goes down. A shockproof, waterproof case keeps the compass intact if you drop it and kick it down the trail.

We also appreciate the integrated belt loop attachment, so you can stow it quickly while you scramble up a steep incline, then whip it out and get your bearings when you reach a viewpoint. We love the matchbox design, which adds durability by not only protecting the compass from cracks and scratches when tumbling around in your pack or down a rock face, but also by doing away with the weak point of the hinges that hold flip-top compasses together.

Additionally, the matchbox features a sighting mirror, which allows you to view the compass dial and the background at the same time, making it easier to take accurate bearings. Check Price at Amazon. Along with the standard adjustable declination, 2-degree resolution, and built-in ruler to help you navigate, the TruArc also sports a bevy of features, several of which we loved for snowsports around the world. The sighting hole and mirror are easy to flip up and use with gloves on as well.

Keeping an eye on a child while camping is a full-time job. The body of the compass is a whistle, with a small compass on the top, a thermometer on the bottom, and a handy clip on the end.

The compass is basic, but it will find magnetic north, allowing you to teach your kids how to figure out which direction is which if they get turned around. The key function is the whistle, which makes kids easier to find if they get lost. Starting with the global needle, with finds magnetic north in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres.

The MC-2 is also a mirrored compass, sporting a large sighting mirror that allows not only better bearing but is large enough to be used for signaling if you manage to get lost. The liquid-filled capsule provides stability for the needle, while the clinometer indicates incline and elevation within 2 degrees. The luminescent bezel, orientation markings, and direction of travel make it easier to read in low light, and the clear red direction arrow makes it easy to see your way when moving fast.

There are three main types of compasses: the basic compass, the sighting compass, and the baseplate or orienteering compass. Some compasses contain elements of all three. The basic compass has only one feature: a needle that points toward magnetic north.

They tend to be inexpensive as well, so they can be useful for keeping as a spare. Sighting compasses have flip-up lenses that allow users to get bearings from a distant object like a nearby peak. Put simply, use the sight notch to identify your desired location, adjust the bezel to align with the needle to identify the direction you need to go to get there, then follow the heading. Orienteering baseplate compasses are designed to be used with a map, as the base lays directly on the map for easy triangulation and orienting.

Many compasses combine a baseplate for map navigation and sighting accessories to combine the two types. This allows for whatever navigation method is most useful at any time.

By definition, a compass will have a magnetic needle that always points to magnetic north. Beyond that, compasses can sport a bevy of features, from liquid-filled needle casings and rotating bezels to whistles and thermometers some are more useful than others , generally depending on the price range. For general direction-finding, a basic compass will do.

A magnetic needle that always points north, this is the most basic and essential feature on any compass. The mounting case holds the needle. The mounting for the compass housing, a baseplate is generally printed with tools that help find direction and distance.

It provides a straight edge for identifying your location via triangulation. A rotating ring that surrounds the housing, the bezel is printed with direction indicators N, S, E, W and varying points in between.

A sighting mirror and notch. The sighting mirror often flips up like a compact and the sighting notch sits at the top. You look through the notch to target a landmark and use the mirror to see the bezel at the same time.

This allows for more precise bearings. The mirror can also be used as a signaling device in times of danger. Luminescent indicators on the bezel so that you can take bearings in the dark or in low light.

A clinometer , which assists you in measuring slope. A reciprocal scale , which shows the opposite direction in degrees of your direction of travel. For example, if you find that a bridge is at a bearing of degrees and a fork in a river is at a bearing of degrees, the opposite bearings would be 60 and degrees, respectively.

When you look at your map, you can draw a line from the bridge at the direction of 60 degrees and a line from the fork at a direction of degrees. Your position is where the lines intersect. Survival compasses have all the features of basic and orienteering compasses, but also: A whistle to signal to hikers if you need to. A luminous bezel for night use. A housing made of an anodized metal. Anodization is a process by which you submerge metal into an acidic liquid and apply an electric current so as to coat the metal and prevent corrosion.

This makes your compass more durable. A global needle. Most compasses are suited for use in either the northern or southern hemisphere, but not both.

A global needle corrects for the difference. Proofing for all conditions, including water, sand, and shocks. A jewel bearing that reduces friction for more accurate measurements. Guest Authors New insights. Read more from this author. You may also enjoy. Tips and Tricks. Tips for Hiking with Dogs. While a simple button compass can roughly tell you NSEW, we consider the following features to be the minimum needed for easy emergency navigation. Lensatic compasses are a little different. The degree numbers are inside the housing, and they spin with the north seeking arrow.

Cheaper, older, or beaten-up compasses will often leak fluid. That can cause air bubbles, which tend to float near and even stick to the compass needle, interfering with its function. A fully drained chamber will allow you to still use the compass, but it will take so long to stop swaying that it renders the compass impractical. Experts still recommend using a liquid-filled compass, but that risk adds to the importance of buying from a quality brand.

Some compasses come with a printed-on or fold-out degree scale for judging slope angle — but this feature is unnecessary for most. Even if you are a frequent traveler in high-alpine backcountry where avalanches are a danger, clinometers are difficult to use and trust without lots of practice and by then your judgement is probably accurate enough. Imagine putting a compass on a flat table, then holding a magnet nearby but a few feet above or below the level of the table.

The needle would try to point in the right direction but it will also be pulled up or down towards the magnet. That tilt can cause friction as the needle spins and settles, potentially affecting your reading. Although this is mostly just an aggravation, not a real problem, we do like compasses with larger chambers that provide more room for tilt. Mirrors are often built in to help you read the compass while holding it up to a landmark. Brunton TruArc 7 : We strongly dislike the dual-hinge mechanism used for the relatively small cap and mirror.

It feels like it will snap off in your bag or from heavy use. Cammenga D3-T : The D3-T is a commendable attempt at combining the durability of a dry lensatic needle with the ease of use of a baseplate design. If Cammenga can address those issues in future iterations, it could be a perfect compromise. Silva Ranger 2.

Still popular to this day and a generally-fine compass.