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Pocket Compass Recommendations


jeff35080

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Okay fellow benchmark hunters, I am asking for your assistance in recommending a decent pocket compass for me. I often find myself looking for a benchmark and find that I have left a compass at home so I am looking for a small pocket compass that I can carry with me all the time.

 

I often find myself out in the middle of the night with printed-out sheets of benchmark descriptions. Sometimes in the middle of the night, there are no calls to be answered and benchmark hunting provides a way to help stay awake. I have an el cheapo pin-on compass that works great, but since I work in public safety and wear a uniform I can't wear it as I wished I could. I would like to have a compass that can be easily carried in my pocket. I don't need anything fancy, just something that will accurately point north. I know Brunton makes several keychain compasses, but I fear that daily carry will render the plastic all scratched from keys and pocket change. I would like to find something about the size of a pocket watch that has a lid that can be closed to protect the crystal.

 

Does anyone have any suggestions and possibly some links? I have tried carrying a cheap repro engineer lensatic type compass but it is too bulky. I would welcome any and all info. Happy hunting!

 

Jeff

http://www.StarsFellOnAlabama.com

http://www.NotAChance.com

If you hide it, they will come....

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As I was "brought up" using a military lensatic compass, I seem to need a sighting compass, so when my Silva showed up missing (oxymoron?) I got a Brunton Elipse ($75).

 

If all you want is a "North pointer" I would still recommend one with a clear rectangular base so you can use it on map if you decide to at a later time. The Silva is about $12.

 

DustyJacket

...If life was fair, a banana split would cure cancer.

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My choice is KB-14 (aluminum case $120) or KB-20 (plastic case $60) by Suunto. Just put either KB-14 or KB-20 into an internet search engine and you'll find suppliers of these. These are very nice compasses and the easiest of all to use, but possibly a bit too much quality for benchmark hunting.

 

Check out camping stores and look at their cheaper compasses. With each, test its ability by finding what it points to in the store with some practice bearing like 115 degrees.

 

Getting a $10 compass might be an OK choice even if will eventually wear out.

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I have a Suunto that is a great compass. I've also used Bruntons that were very good. For something that you just want to keep with you at all times, an inexpensive compass ($15-$30) will probably do just fine for what you are looking for. You can pick them up at most camping or sporting goods stores. Boy Scout offices and/or suppliers also sell good, inexpensive compasses for camping, backpacking, and orienteering that would suit your need.

 

I also have a Casio Pathfinder watch that has an electronic compass. It's always with me and I usually use it when I'm searching for benchmarks. It also has a thermometer, a barometer, an altimeter, and a multitude of other functions. I think it tells time too. (The geek in me really wants the newest model of Casio Pathfinder - it also has a GPSr on it! See it here).

 

Keep on Caching!

- Kewaneh

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If you don't need a compass that has all the degrees marked on it ... and you like a bit of nostalgia ... Check out the Brass Pocket Compass from Marbles. They have been making them for over 100 years!

 

I have one and love it! The luminesant spot on the arrow works great at night. Easy to carry in the pocket, and not too hard on the pocketbook! [icon_wink.gif]

 

Marble’s Compasses were used by Admiral Byrd, Admiral Perry, Charles Lindberg, and Teddy Roosevelt. Byrd and Perry both used Marble’s compasses on their North and South Pole expeditions.

 

Mine is 53 years old and still going. [icon_smile.gif]

 

Here's the link --> http://www.marblearms.com/compasses.html

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Look here or do a search for "Brunton Blue" ... there is an excellent Brunton survey master pocket compass, usable as a sighting compass or as the traditional card-type, for around $35 on clearance. I got one, and carry it as a backup, it's in a nice, heavy aluminum case and is amazingly accurate. Pretty durable, too. The thread has a link to the supplier as well as my review. (I've been doing ground nav since before GPS's existed, so I know a good compass when I see one!)

 

--

Scott Johnson (ScottJ)

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quote:
Originally posted by Cloak_N_Dagger:

If you don't need a compass that has all the degrees marked on it ... and you like a bit of nostalgia ... Check out the Brass Pocket Compass from Marbles. They have been making them for over 100 years!


 

Those DO look really nice! Something that size wouldn't be super-accurate, but in a pinch it'd get you in the ballpark. Nicely crafted!

 

--

Scott Johnson (ScottJ)

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My only thought is that these were made to use around alot of metal...And have been engineered to be more accurate.If you have any large metal object on your person this will affect most compasses.Try wearing your gear ,take a reading then take off all your gear and watch the diffrence.I did this with a fellow officer a while back and he was totaly amazed and did not know that it would affect a compass that much.The Military Lensatic compass will fit right into one of your belt clips.

 

WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS *GEOTRYAGAIN* http://www.msnusers.com/MissouriTrails

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Sunto & Silva & Brunton are Fine.

One thing that is important is make sure the scale coincides with our standard maps.

1:24 or 1:62.5

Here is a list of several compasses.

1. Suunto A10 partner $7.50

2 Suunto A30l Woodsman II $10.50

3. Suunto M2-D Locator $14.95

4. Silva Starter 1-2-3 $8.25

5. Silva Polaris $11.35

6. Brunton Star $9.60

7. Brunton Nexus $16.75

 

And if you want to see a pricey one $192.95 icon_rolleyes.gif

go to http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/

 

Tahosa - Dweller of the Mountain Tops.

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I use a $5.00 Silva compass I bought at Wal-mart for benchmarking, geocaching, and competitive orienteering.

 

I would recommend any inexpensive, liquid filled compass with a rectangular baseplate. Sure, there are much nicer and much more expensive compasses out there, but ultimately, they all point the same direction.

 

web-lingbutton.gif

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I can check one of the new ones out tomorrow and let you know for sure.

 

That would be greatly appreciated! Do you have a store in your area that sells them? If so, what is the price? I emailed a retailer that Marble's says sells their products, but can't seem to get them to respond. I would be just as happy to call and order one from a store that another cacher frequents and recommends.

 

Jeff

http://www.StarsFellOnAlabama.com

http://www.NotAChance.com

If you hide it, they will come....

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I really appreciate everyone's input and answers to my question. I am soooo happy with my little Marble's pocket compass. The quality of this little marvel is absolutely unbelievable. I have carried it in my pocket everyday since I got it. It's so small you don't even know it's there, yet it is sturdy enough that you can't hurt it. The little compass helped me find the oldest benchmark I have found to date the other day (1934). The needle/disc that indicates north on the Marble's compass is perfectly balanced on an agate bearing. I would gladly recommend the Marble's pocket compass to anyone such as myself that needs something small enough to literally carry in a pocket, day in and day out.

 

Jeff

http://www.StarsFellOnAlabama.com

http://www.NotAChance.com

If you hide it, they will come....

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