What type of compass should i buy

Ideally, the baseplate should have additional features , such as median lines, side rulers, direction arrow and magnifying glass for finer map details. All of these will help you orienting better and planning your trek.

There should also be a lanyard connected to the baseplate, so that you can tie the compass to your other equipment or wear it on your neck, making it easier to bring on your hiking trip. Here is a video that demonstrates choosing the right compass:. They can be very useful on a more challenging trek, or when you need to survive for a few days in the wilderness.

Consider purchasing a compass that includes these features along with the basic ones. If you need to orient at night, your compass should have luminescent bezel and markings. This is particularly helpful when you need to find out just how steep the current hill or the mountain, or whether there is a potential danger of an avalanche ahead of you. As you probably know, magnetic north and true north are not the same. Declination is defined as a difference between the two in degrees.

It is important to adjust it according to your location , which is usually done by a declination adjustment tool attached to the compass. A useful feature that helps you see your targeting landmark along with the compass. The mirror usually comes with a notch. You open the mirror at 45 degrees angle and use the notch to align the compass with the target.

Then you look into the mirror and align the orienting arrow accordingly. In some compasses, the needle tilts independently of the magnet.

So when the magnet moves up or down with the magnetic field, the needle retains its position. While these features are not necessary, it is important to be aware of them. There is always a potential to make the most out of your compass. Whistle is sometimes a part of a compass. You can use this information to draw intersecting lines and pinpoint your current position on the map. Keeping all the aforementioned features in mind, here are some of the personal picks based on my experience as well as online reviews.

You can find all of them on Amazon, I linked each compass to its page for your convenience. Eyeskey Multifunctional Compass is a great and reliable choice. As the name implies, it has it all: clinometer, fluorescent dial and arrow, sighting window, folding metal casing and more.

This compass is impact resistant and waterproof, and can be used by everyone, from a beginner boy scout to a veteran hiker. Suunto MC-2 is another durable beauty, warmly recommended by many hikers. 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. Team Gore. Trail Running Shoes. Restoring Water Repellency. Fortunately, the vast majority of outdoor compasses are designed to take a beating without any issues. Accuracy: Considering the fact that the whole purpose of a compass is to give a directional reading, accuracy is wildly important.

The reality here is that the precision of a compass will largely boil down to the type of compass, rather than the manufacturer or model. Size: Compasses can hugely vary in terms of physical dimensions, and include everything from massive dash-mounted units to handheld items to tiny devices that mount onto a watch band or zipper-pull.

Price: Compasses can run anywhere from a few dollars all the way into the hundreds. Power Source: Digital compasses and GPS systems offer unparalleled levels of convenience and ease of use, however, these items are ultimately useless without a charged battery. Weighing just 0. Constructed around a hardwearing painted metal frame, this military-style Lensatic aka prismatic compass offers stellar accuracy and reliability in a surprisingly affordable package. The folding compass sports a built-in sighting lens, a liquid-dampened compass, a straight edge for plotting and use on maps, and glowing luminous paint adorning parts of the dial.

Tipping the scales at only 0. IPX5-rated, this compass features a precision-machined titanium construction housing with a special encapsulation tech, a sandblasted finish, and a lume dial that can glow for up to six hours. This half-ounce compass also boasts a D-type keyring attachment and is sold with an included beaded chain.

Cushioned in a GID silicone gasket, this compass also features a luminous glow on the dial and is rated to depths of feet. Made in Finland, the liquid-filled KB compass is equipped with a bevy of advanced features such as a sapphire bearing, a globally balanced needle, an adjustable declination correction, and a directional scale in quadrant degrees. Individually made by hand in England from genuine.

Sold with an included leather case , this compass is also made in Riverton, Wyoming, and comes protected by a lifetime warranty. Net yet privy on how to negotiate the backcountry sans smartphone or GPS unit?