Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game Suunto, Silva, or Brunton?

Can't seem to locate my old Silva Ranger compass............

Evaluating the following: Silva Ranger 515CL, Brunton 15TDCL, Suunto MC-2D.

Whats your pick and why.

Thanks.

BTW: I'm leaning toward the Brunton.

I've got an older Silva Ranger I've had for almost 20yrs and have loved it. That model is now made in China and gets bad reviews. I decided to retire it, so I recently ordered the Brunton and Suunto models you mentioned. I haven't had a chance to use either one in the field yet, but my initial observations are that the Brunton 15TDCL is a very good replacement for the old Silva Ranger, and a very good value in today's compass market. It's made in China too, but doesn't say so on the compass itself (which I appreciate), and the quality seems very high IMO. The Suunto has a world needle, sighting window, a glow in the dark dial, and is made in Finland, all of which I think makes it a step above the Brunton. So in short, if money's tight, the Brunton is a good compass since the Swedish Silva Ranger isn't available anymore. If you've got some extra coin, I think you might like the Suunto better.

I'd also like to give a quick plug for Maptools.com. You'll get a lot more out of ANY compass with a good map and a map ruler or "roamer."

Good info.

Why do you think the Suunto is a better compass beside the Made Outside of china part?

I've not had the Suunto in had but have had the others. My internet reviews of the Silva match yours.

I have been using Suuntos for over 40 years. I have two of them. Back in the early 1980s, one of them spent a northern Nebraska winter in the glove box of my pickup and apparently experienced one too many -40 degree night. It lost all of its fluid. I sent it back to Forestry Suppliers and it came back a few weeks later, looking like new. Both have continued to work fine ever since. Suuntos work better for me, but then, I have been using them for a looong time...

Me from above post;
"The Suunto has a world needle, sighting window, a glow in the dark dial, and is made in Finland, all of which I think makes it a step above the Brunton."

I forgot to clarify, I actually bought the MC-2G compass, not the 2D.

Thanks.

Another thing I've read on several posts about the Suunto 2G is that the needle sticks and/or moves sluggish when it gets cold outside, leading to inaccurate readings.

Anyone have this happen? I usually keep my compass in my pocket but always carry 2 with the other in my day pack.

Word on the street is Silva bought out Brunton several years ago, they share a lot of the same parts. I've had a Silva Ranger since it was issued to me in 1980. I had a friend who had his needle de-magnetize, I sent it back to Johnson Outdoors for him and they repaired it and sent it back. They have always touted a lifetime guarantee. This is the first I've heard that they've started mfg in China, too bad. Guess the Finn's don't need work either.
I've also had a Brunton Hand Transit for about as many years as the Type 15 Ranger. They were made originally in Riverton, Wy, I hope they still are, I visited the plant once, nice little mfg operation in the heartland.

I assume that the liquid in mine is some kind of alcohol. I have used it in subzero weather in Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, Montana and Alaska without noticing any sluggishness. I am not familiar with 2G--my newest one was purchased in the early 1980s.

I looked in the latest Forestry Suppliers catalog and searched the web. Apparently, they don't make the model that I have any more. The closest thing to it in the catalog is the KB-14 classic. Take a look at it. The description says that it contains a low viscosity damping liquid. I think that it would serve you well.

Suunto, built like a tank. We use them at work for sattelite aiming have both compass and inclinometer. Only have had one break out of 40 in 10 years.

While not one of the models you are looking at, I use the Brunton Eclipse, have had it for quite a few years. It has 5 different roamers on the base which are very accurate among the features it has. Also has GPS confidence circles on the base. Easily adjusts for (and holds) declination. There is also a Lat/Long template that comes with the compass. This thing has worked for me in a number of parts of Canada. I haven't had any issues with it freezing up either.
Makes plotting a course easy. Good piece of kit!

yes it happened to some guys this winter and we reported to the company but never got a retunr for that one ...