Multitool.org Forum
Non Tool Forum => Gadget Freak and EDC Forum => Topic started by: av8r1 on April 14, 2014, 06:03:16 PM
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I developed a fondness for compasses in flight school, and carried one EDC for awhile mostly out of aesthetic value. I almost never need one in my suburban life, so it tends to stay behind. It's a nice Silva compass, I just never need the thing. Does anyone EDC a compass?
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My iPhone has a compass app, I'm not so sure how accurate it is though.
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I don't EDC one, but I carry a Silva 4 when hiking. For convenience, I use GPS, but carry a map and compass for backup.
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I have a little keychain size one at, guess what, my keychain. I went into a pretty big Outdoor store (Globetrotter) in Cologne and looked at the compasses there. I wanted a new one, was not sure if I should use a flip-open style or what.
I finally choose a 3€ button style (20mmØ) one, because it was fluid filled, rotated faster to north than the 15x the price ones and was dampened better. Been carrying it for 4 months now, used it for Geocaching (my smartphone has GPS, but no compass) and been pretty satisfied with it.
But beware: there were several on the rack from the same model, some worked as good as mine, others were totally trashed.
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I carried a keychain button compass for years, until it broke. It helped me several times when travelling in urban settings, together with hotel maps. I remember that I was lost in Prague and it helped me find my way to an avenue.
The last decade I wear or attach my Casio Pro Trek on my backpack and it helps a lot. But lately I also have my iPhone compass and the Recta compass of the Victorinox SOS kit (I have both styles but I carry the large one with the thermo and magnifyling lens).
I like compasses. They make me feel nice.
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I'm with sawman. I have an app on my phone for it. I DO have an actual compass in my get-home bag in my car, so if I'm ever away from my home, I actually have a compass near to hand.
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I carry one whenever I'm out on a camping trip, but otherwise no. Never needed one either.
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I keep one on my watchband. Boy Scouts don't get lost, just disoriented. :P
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vd7RChZkRWE/S-NwtihHl0I/AAAAAAAAMe4/d1023Iy4BSI/s1600/stormdrane%27s+adjustable+paracord+watchband+4.jpg)
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back up compass of last resort- 20mm button in my EDC gear
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I don't EDC one, but on hunting trips I have one as a backup for my GPS.
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Compass?
CHECK
(http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/zz255/detronphillips/watches/Rangeman/20140304_175047.jpg) (http://s833.photobucket.com/user/detronphillips/media/watches/Rangeman/20140304_175047.jpg.html)
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No...
Compasses are best for people in emergency situations traversing undeveloped terrain or sea travel. As an EDC item in developed areas it's kind of pointless. Who doesn't have access to phones, roads, and other means of locating one's self in a general area?
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Any time I'm heading out hiking, skiing, or whatever, I take my Silva Ranger. It sets the bar for compasses.
If I'm in town, on highways, or otherwise in People Country, I usually have a pretty good idea which way I'm pointing, so the nearest compass is probably the cheap Silva in my truck.
Generally, unless it's really cloudy, either the sun or the stars are good enough.
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My iPhone has a compass app, I'm not so sure how accurate it is though.
I'm the same as Steve
my compass is fairly accurate as far as I know with the little bit of testing I've done with it.
but I really should carry one in my bag for just in case .
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Compass?
CHECK
(http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/zz255/detronphillips/watches/Rangeman/20140304_175047.jpg) (http://s833.photobucket.com/user/detronphillips/media/watches/Rangeman/20140304_175047.jpg.html)
:tu:
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I have used this trick a few times
http://m.wikihow.com/Use-an-Analog-Watch-as-a-Compass
I would not rely on it instead of a compass, as it is difficult to get very accurate. But It works nicely for urban use and a lot better than nothing.
Sent from a device made from star dust using tapatalk
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No I don't, but I have always used my watch and the sun.
When I am the brush, I then have a compass with me.
live from Nate's mobile
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I actually do EDC a compass on my backpack, it has proven to be helpful many times especially when I was sightseeing oversea and there is no English direction/street names.
(http://imageshack.com/a/img838/7356/3muo.jpg)
It's a hand made compass made in US, and little that I know, it is no longer common to find. :)
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Very nice looking compass :salute:
Sent from a device made from star dust using tapatalk
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I keep one on my watchband. Boy Scouts don't get lost, just disoriented. :P
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vd7RChZkRWE/S-NwtihHl0I/AAAAAAAAMe4/d1023Iy4BSI/s1600/stormdrane%27s+adjustable+paracord+watchband+4.jpg)
How do you like the Suunto Clipper? I read mixed reviews about them.
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My compass is the Sun and the Stars. Seriously though. :tu:
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My compass is the Sun and the Stars. Seriously though. :tu:
The North Star always guides me, when winter skies are grey... (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiyC125Cuck) :whistle:
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I always carry a watch with a build in compass like these ones:
(http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/Rikske77/CasioSea-pathfinderIMG_4391.jpg) (http://s739.photobucket.com/user/Rikske77/media/CasioSea-pathfinderIMG_4391.jpg.html)
(http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/Rikske77/Casio%20Protrek/IMG_4416.jpg) (http://s739.photobucket.com/user/Rikske77/media/Casio%20Protrek/IMG_4416.jpg.html)
And for the ones that don't have a build in compass, I have this (which works even better than the build in ones, no battery power needed for this one ;)).:
(http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/Rikske77/CasioRiseman2.jpg) (http://s739.photobucket.com/user/Rikske77/media/CasioRiseman2.jpg.html)
And when I go on a hike in the woods, I'll take this one with me (no picture of the compass itself, but you can see it on this next pic):
(http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/Rikske77/Victorinox%20Swisschamp%20Brothers/IMG_7117.jpg) (http://s739.photobucket.com/user/Rikske77/media/Victorinox%20Swisschamp%20Brothers/IMG_7117.jpg.html)
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I also have one of those cell phone apps. I used to have one that I could mark a location and it would point back to it so you could "home" back to the car or whatever. It was difficult to use, so I deleted it.
I wouldn't own a compass that isn't liquid filled unless it came out of a box of cracker jacks.
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I have one in my bag . Has come in handy a few times .
Chris
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I usually bring a Silva Metro compass (http://silva.se/product-family/metro) when I travel in unknown cities. Excellent for malls and subway stations, where you walk quickly, have to change direction a lot and GPS is both too slow and utterly useless. (GPS and GLONASS are nice systems, but not very useful underground...) It has saved me a lot of time quickly getting to the correct exit, avoid being fooled by curved corridors, etc.
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Very nice looking compass :salute:
Sent from a device made from star dust using tapatalk
Thanks, Grathr.
I have done some research before settling on this small compass, and much to my surprise, many experience compass user in US do complain about the low quality small compasses that fills the market nowadays. Personally, I do purchase a fair share of small compasses and stored them in different kits or wear them on wrist watch, but they always end up dismagnetized sooner than I thought(usually they last for a few months and none survived after 1-2 years)
Even some brand as famous as Marble has migrated production to China and quality is no longer the same as it used to(old ones have reported to last for many years, if not decades). Several 'survival' stores do give grading to their small compasses, but it is not about how good is the quality, but more about how well is the liquid sealed inside the compass.
In the end, after reading from different forums, sounds like the Tru-Nord in US is one of the few that has received decent reports and its performance comparable to the old Marble. I am in no way related to the maker, but so far, after about 1/2-1 year of use, the compass does work well and remain strong.