[Ron Fontaine]

Silva Rangers are excellent, and one that I often carry. Though a bit pricey they are well made and will function even in extremely cold conditions.

Another favorite specialty compass I prefer is the Suunto KB-series which I used for many years as a land surveyor in the Great North Woods on New Hampshire and Maine. These are accurate to a fraction of a degree, which is handy for running property lines. It is overkill for basic land navigation but I've used it so much over the years it is the compass I am comfortable using.

[Marshall Brown]

I have navigated my entire military career with a Cammenga. Accept NO substitute. Panama, Afghanistan, South Korea.

[Loansharkx]

Originally Posted by Marshall Brown

I have navigated my entire military career with a Cammenga. Accept NO substitute. Panama, Afghanistan, South Korea.

Glad to hear that. I was about to ask that question as I have 3 Cammenga units, one of which is the DOD radioactive job. . . Gave my son a brand new phosphorescent model last year and have been working with him to learn how to navigate and a few other fun tricks you can do with a compass.

Wondering if price was the only limiting factor here on getting the Mil spec Cammenga. I've never used anything but that.

Julio

[gr8outdrsmn]

I too have been interested in getting a good compass lately. I came across this review on Welcome Woods Monkey!!. They compare the Suunto M-3G and the Brunton 8099 Eclipse. It looks like a pretty detailed review.

ETA: I cannot seem to find the Suunto with the mirror. The only ones I see are base plate unit only...hmm...

[Ron Fontaine]

A couple of the Suunto mirror compasses I've seen include:

• Suunto MCA-D Challenger
• Suunto MC-2G Global Navigator
• Suunto MCB-B Aqua Amphibian Compass
• Suunto MC-2 D/IN Compass

Button compasses have often been problematic, at least the ones I've seen. Compare a dozen of the same model and oftentimes they differ - by as much as half a quadrant or more! Companies, often in Asia, churn out button compasses by the millions and sometimes seem to consider them as party favors or kids toys.

Before using a button compass be sure to check it against a known reliable compass.

[kevin]

[quote=gr8outdrsmn;34755]I too have been interested in getting a good compass lately. I came across this review on Welcome Woods Monkey!!. They compare the Suunto M-3G and the Brunton 8099 Eclipse. QUOTE]

I'v had nothing but trouble w/ the eclipse. base plate fading, needle sticking, bubbles, mis-aligned sight lines etc. they always replace no problem but this is just a hassle. i've got to using a $12 silva baseplate model - no problems, ever.

[AlpineZone]

Originally Posted by Ron Fontaine

Before using a button compass be sure to check it against a known reliable compass.

Also make sure its free floating while walking around with it outside if you cannot get it unstuck junk it. I've had tons of them but only would rely on two of them. One that came in a simple cohglans surival kit from walmart and "one" of the ones on top of my swiss gear trekking poles.

[Mac]

I've been in touch with Cammenga and am setup to sell them now...

They have a button compass that you really cant find on the internet that they sell to the military (these they say are issued to some soldiers in the event they are captured - they can swallow it and... well you can figure out the rest).

They are sending me one of these... I think they are like $30 a piece... so i am suspecting these button compasses will be high quality like their larger compasses.

Will take pics and report back when i get it.

[scorch]

Here's a decent button compass.

[tsnyder5133]

Well this is the only compass i have. My dad gave it to me for a birthday present he said that he used it in the army back in 1983.
http://www.thecompassstore.com/military3h.html