Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game Compasses revisited

I'm in the market for a new compass. I've run Swedish made Silva Rangers and Suunto MC2G for the past 15 years. My Ranger was lost in my Kansas City donation a few years back and I cant find my MC2G.

In reading reviews of the newer models, the Silvas are not made in Sweden and I'm seeing mediocre reviews on both the newer Rangers and MC 2G.

A number of Sweden made Silvas are on fleabay and I'm inclined to go with 1-2 of them.

What are you guys using?

Unfortunately, I'm a compass loony, got too many name brand vintage compasses to list...but the one in my day pack..funky Cammenga military. The one in my watch pocket is an old US contract Wittenauer, as far as I know, been in service in my family since before WWII. Gathering dust are the Bruntons, Dietzgen, Lietz, Lufkin, Silva , Suunto, Keuffel & Esser etc etc. If you're not running property lines, anything will work. You can see the stupid ugly Cammenga well before daylight without ruining your night vision.

Mr Winters:

I used this "Engineer" liquid filled compass for many years. Don't remember where I bought it.






UNTIL I got this Compass Ap on my I Phone




I've tested it in many places AND with the Airplane Mode ON & OFF
I've never found any diff and it doesn't require internet


I don't carry the liquid filled any more.

Good Luck

Jerry

I use a 35 year old Silva Type 16. 1.5 oz's, and does what I need it to do.

However, I've been thinking of getting a new compass with adjustable declination for a couple years. There's no way I'd own a Chinese made Silva. For me Suunto is the way to go. I'd get either the Suunto M-3G Global Pro or M-3 D Leader.

Andrew Skurka has a nice long term review of the M-3G:

https://andrewskurka.com/long-term-review-suunto-m-3g-global-compass-adjustable-ultralight/

I still use Silva. I have 3 or 4 different models that are anywhere from 20 to 45 yrs old, including a Ranger if I want to get serious.

I have several Silvas. Keep them in my bird hunting vest, big game pack, truck. Like a lot of things I have they’re old but always work.

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+1 on the military lensatic compass. I still rely on the one that got me through the Special Forces Qualification Course at Ft. Bragg many years ago. I have a couple of smaller ones but I never use them.


Okie John

Watching this.....

When elk hunting in Colorado I always carry a military lensatic with tritium reference points in a pocket of my pack. No matter where I hunt, I always wear a Military wrist compass on my watch band with tritium markings

I have an old Silva. I tried one that was a phone app but it drained my battery so much that I uninstalled it. Don't remember whose it was but I try to save my battery life for OnX.

I still use my Suunto MC2. It's worked well for years and until it breaks or I lose it I'll continue to throw it in the pack.

Recent thread on the subject: Best maps and compass - nothing electronic ?

Guys, I'm not being smart to or about anyone.

I've hunted National Forest and Big farms in Arkansas, La (Louisiana), Miss., and Alabama.

I've never needed a compass capable of things y'all need or have used.
I think (?) I'm glad.

I'm learning so y'all carry on.


Jerry

Mr jwall, A man has to know his limitations. And I know mine, hunting chukar in Eastern Oregon in rolling sagebrush just after a snowstorm, dense fog rolled in, as it does, footprints obliterated, no sun, no distinctive terrain features...I never was lost but the pickup was. Deer hunting, snow, rain, fitful circling winds, dense rolling re planted forest, changed direction of hunt 10 times to keep nose in wind...I never got lost but the pickup was. Elk and lodgepole pine, about the same.

I hope you are, but I’m doubtful...

Heck, I carry a compass, an iPhone, and a GPS. I seldom use them, but I got them if needed. To answer the OP's question, I like Silva's.

WHO cares ? I don't

Jerry

Why do you bother clogging up good threads with ignorance? Do you just love the sound of your own computer keys clacking, or is it something else?

flint - I do understand that complex compasses are NEEDED in some/many places. (context hunting) I get it.
I'm serious about learning the features that are useful to some hunters. At my age I know I'll never be in those kind of places and I was not AT ALL being critical of anyone.

Y'all carry on........Never mind Brad.

Jerry

Re-reading my post...epiphany!...it's not me that is the problem...I need a new pickup.