I need a new compass

Suunto M3 global

I have always been partial to Brunton. I have never had one let me down. http://www.brunton.com/collections/navigation

For the purposes of learning, take a class, and consider a "sighting compass with declination adjustment", I prefer Silva or Suunto, like any of the Suunto MC-2 "NH" ones. Sometimes you can find these on sale: http://www.suunto.com/en-US/Products/Compasses/Suunto-MC-21/Suunto-MC-2-NH-USGS-Mirror-Compass/ Once you know your stuff and are going UL, you can go way smaller and lighter: http://www.suunto.com/en-US/Products/Compasses/Suunto-Clipper/Suunto-Clipper-LB-NH-Compass/

I have an m3, pretty decent. The adjustable magnetic declination is very nice, as is yhe global needle, that plus the inclinometer is why i got it (to help in assessing avalanche risk). One problem i have with it though is the needle doesn't glow in the dark. For such a featured compass its a curious omission.

Bruntons are still iffy even though made here now. Silvas sold in the US are not made in Finland I have a Suunto and am happy with it.

It's funny… when you're learning to use a compass it's nice to have a full-featured one with all the bells and whistles, but later realize that a tiny button- or tag-sized compass will suffice 99.9% of the time as long as you have a general idea of the local declination. In fact, knowing the declination where you are traveling is arguably more important than most features on a compass.

True that Bob

I like the sylva starter. It's small, light and all you need. Fits well into a shirt pocket.

I’ve got the Silva Starter compass. It’s what I use today and does a fine job. It has a declination scale (yay!) but not a declination compensation (bummer). If I were in the mood for another I think I’d get Brunton TruArc 3(http://amzn.to/1GGqnn4). It is just as minimal as the Starter with the added feature of declination adjustment. I like having an actual adjustment because it’s one less thing to remember when navigating.

Suunto MC-2G. It has all the bells and whistles, high quality and a user friendly needle. You won't have to buy another. The mirror doubles for emergency signaling and even grooming.

I second monkey's recommendation of the Suunto M-3G Global if you want to buy once, cry once.

>"The mirror doubles for emergency signaling" I know that is the conventional wisdom, but in decades in the woods, I've NEVER used a mirror to signal a passing airplane. Has anyone, ever? I think it is the same category as morse code and flint knapping: you can fantasize about using it, but. . . . Grooming – that has some value, especially if you're going to try to hitch a ride after the trip. Or if you want to meet your future spouse on a backpacking trip (I did). I think of mirrors as more of a self-first-aid device: check for sunburn, pluck cactus thorns from my cheek, examine that gash on my forehead, etc. In my work, a mirror is really handy to illuminate down a well – it works far better to reflect a nearly straight beam of sunlight than to use a flashlight. A very few times, I've used a mirror while not working to redirect a beam of sunlight into a cave or dark spot to look for something.

I have a like new-i really never used it Brunton mirror compass with thermometer I'll sell cheap. $20 shipped conus. I can post a picture later.

Well, the fist use of the mirror is to get an accurate bearing. Then you can look to see who's lost :) The real point is that this large, full-featured, accurate compass weighs all of 2.6oz. It's a critical piece of gear and I find navigation and orienteering a fun part of the hiking experience. Do you need the global needle for North America? No, but it does work better and adds no weight. IMHO, buy the best compass you can afford, once. Then learn how to use it!

I have both the MC 2G and M3 G and must admit I really dig those smooth, very quick-settling gimbal needles. I used the MC 2G to navigate in white-outs in NH in ye olde pre-GPS days. Pretty cool to figure a bearing off the map, hold it right in front of you and follow that arrow, and end up where you're supposed to be. :^)

I have a tiny stand alone signal mirror, used mostly for combing hair and dealing with contact lenses. A friend used his signal mirror every day in Alaska when helicopter logging to signal the chopper that was his ride at the end of the day. he said it worked very well. I have used the signal mirror on my old silva ranger on SAR to get the attention of other searchers.

keeping it simple: Brunton Tru Arc 3. Cheap, light (~1 oz), with declination adjustment. But, global needle: huh? Someone here must know 'bout that. One caveat with any compass: the markings for the rule etc may rub off while bouncing around in your pack. Happily for my Brunton Classic, Customer Service at Brunton had an extra base that they just popped in the mail for me. I'll probably clear coat it this time.

As long as it isn't overcast!

Here's a picture of the Brunton I have that I will sell.

Lots of good suggestions. Jimmy thanks for the offer but I think a new compass may actually be something I can have my other half get me for Christmas. I really try to avoid off-trail travel. My general use for a compass in the past has been to ensure my way back to the trail from a bathroom spot :) but as I say, it's time to learn. I did find my way back to a long straight trail once, while berry picking, by taking a reading on that trail and heading back at 90* from the reading. And I felt pretty good about that! Kelly

Be Expert with Map and Compass I found to be a very good book for learning this stuff.

PS also google "Orienteering" and find oodles of good information.

Yes, I have signaled an aircraft, on numerous occasions but I must admit that these were either work or SAR related. Doing SAR, we often flashed other ground parties to identify our position. At least one of our rescues was triggered by mirror flashes from the group needing help. Like you, I have used mirrors to illuminate wells,mine shafts, and cave interiors. The weight is insignificant. The potential utility is enormous.

any compass will do.. but why deal with a compass anyway… move into the 21st century and get a GPS device or Mapping/GPS app for your phone! Billy