Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game Compasses revisited

Interesting thread. I learned to use a good compass when working for an archaelogical/historical research firm in the 80s, and among others used the "pocket transit" Brunton and original Silva Ranger. But others have worked too.

These days mostly use a Garmin with the oNx app, but also always carry two good compasses, so I can't out-vote them.

My 40 year old Silva Huntsman had a big bubble in it when I took it out last month. I replaced it with a basic Brunton model. It does everything I need it to do for about $20

My dad and many of the other hunters I grew up around used the old brass Marbles pin on compasses made in the Upper Peninsula. If you find an original one on ebay those are great.

I had one several decades ago that stuck on it's axis
in full blown darkness at a most inopportune time.
May have flipped poles too, I don't know.
I might have thought it was an isolated incident,
but a friend bought one at a different time at a
different store, and his did the same thing.
A compass that costs about $90.00 shouldn't
fail in several lifetimes
My old boy scout baseplate Silva from the 1970's
still points true despite having a circle worn inside
from the needle.
I use a Silva guide or a small old brunton these days.
No problems with either one

I should also add that I've used a Magellan GPS
2000 quite a bit too until it got to be full of
green fuzzy goo. I never used anything better
to navigate around the oil rigs in the gulf, or
running around the marshes in south Louisiana.
I still have it to remind me to not depend on
that fancy stuff too awful much without the
basics for a backup

The Suunto Optical Compass is far and away the highest quality, most accurate and easiest to use. This is the same as I have used for the last 30 years Surveying and Engineering all over the World. The amazing thing is that it currently cost the same as when I purchased mine. You hold it up to your right eye and look at the target with your left eye. Your brain superimposes the compass reading directly over your target. It's accurate to a half degree or less.

https://www.thecompassstore.com/51kb14360r.html

Nice usit. Does it have built-in declination adjustment?

Not sure I agree but it really doesn't matter to most. I have this Brunton, https://www.thecompassstore.com/5005lm.html and most wouldn't find it to be inaccurate in the least.

From your description, it sounds like it works similarly to a Suunto Clinometer, which I use often. Tried the compass many years ago, didn't like it in thick woods trying to sight on a landmark ahead of me; too many things to look at simultaneously. Also, you can't use the optical kind of compass to plot a course on a map like you can with a mirror-sight, rotating bezel type. Probably ok for shooting for the bearing to a target, but more difficult to use to run an already-determined bearing.