Help me choose a baseplate compass?

[Fermenter]

Hello everyone, newbie here! Well, not a total newbie - I was a Scout, then a casual rambler, and I do some volunteer work with the NSW SES and RFS. Recently underwent some map & nav training and it's rekindled a serious interest in getting out there.

I'm looking to treat myself to a decent baseplate compass, and I've narrowed it down to these 3. I know they are all perfectly good choices at the end of the day but I'd be interested to hear any thoughts if you have them


1. Silva Expedition:

silva-expedition.jpg (54.03 KiB) Viewed 31994 times

Likes:
Rubbery grip, declination adjustment, best selection of scales and romers (IMHO).

Dislikes:
Some folks have criticized the quality of recent Silva compasses - it seems production has moved to China and quality on many models (including this one) has taken quite a hit.
Cardinal points are molded in relief, but not printed - such a lack of contrast can never be helpful.
Seems expensive compared to some 'global' models of known excellent quality, such as:



2. Suunto M3G (Global)

Suunto-M3G.jpg (82.86 KiB) Viewed 31994 times

Likes:
Quality is superb by all accounts. 'Global' needle bearing is smooth on the move and quick to settle - generally superior to non-global (zone) models

Dislikes: Seen with a variety of baseplate markings, none of them especially ideal for Australia (odd scales in prime positions etc). No idea how to identify and order a specific version.



3. Recta DT-420G

Recta-dt-420g.jpg (51.75 KiB) Viewed 31994 times

Likes:
Made by Suunto, high quality. Global needle bearing. Good selection of scales.

Dislikes:
Hard (impossible?!) to find. Left-hand romer seems a bit odd.

[NathanaelB]

I'm happy with my Suunto M3 although the inclinometer is pretty useless; not that I need it, I have a perfectly good Brunton for that.

The needle is amazing, I'm pretty sure I took it to Alaska last year and it still worked!

[photohiker]

M3 Global.

However, the advantage reduces if you don't expect to travel the world.

[vanNek]

I have a old suunto A-10 had it 12years beat the heck out of it..... Still going!


"No half measures......"

[GPSGuided]

+1 Suunto M3 Global. Make sure you get the metric version.

[corvus]

Used a Suunto M3 for over 20 years has never let me down .

[Fermenter]

Thanks for the quick replies.

+1 Suunto M3 Global. Make sure you get the metric version.

But which metric version?! If you have a look at the 2 versions pictured, they are different (although both metric and both M3 Global models) - any idea how to distinguish them? Is one newer maybe?

[GPSGuided]

Mine is the one on the right in the photo. The latest model? Yes, I recall they have a few different model numbers. I believe you should order this - Suunto M-3 Global CM, for 'global' and 'centimeter'.

Had a closer look, the one on the left has combined cm and inch scales and is the model sold in the US market. So if you are ordering from the US, you'll likely receive this one, unless you specifically define and the merchant has the CM model.

[Fermenter]

Thanks GPSGuided, although I suspect this (different again) model marked with miles would be the US version?!

$_12.JPG (23.16 KiB) Viewed 31862 times

Seems like Suunto has some fans here, and it's probably the way I'll go but I reckon I'd take the Recta if I could find one (I just prefer the romer and scales).

[GPSGuided]

Many of the online sellers are from the US or using US stock, so be careful.

I went through the exercise a while back and it's no doubt the Suunto units are nicer.

[photohiker]

Here is mine:



Took a bit of searching to find it in the right type when I was looking to buy, found it at hitcnhike in the UK. Cost 39 pounds ex vat including shipping in 2013.

http://www.hitchnhike.co.uk/acatalog/su ... *&^%$#@!.html

Looks like they are waiting for stock, worth an email to check, they were very helpful. Hmm, price has gone up, 50 pounds (inc vat)

[GPSGuided]

Photohiker, did you take my compass?

[corvus]

Sheesh the latests model M3s look very nice with perhaps a wee bit too much information for most of us.

[rucksack]

I have had 3 Suunto compasses die on me, so I am not a big fan of the brand. My go-to compass is a Swedish-made Silva Expedition 54, which is a little expensive (perhaps it is the saphire), but an excellent combined baseplate/sighting compass. I also have a Silva Voyager 8010 international compass from Silva's previous tie-up with Brunton, so basically, it is a Brunton rebadged. It's OK, but not of the same quality as the Expedition 54. Unless you are planning on regular overseas jaunts, the cost of a compass dedicated to a single zone makes more sense to me. Amongst my compass 'inventory', I have a Silva Type 4 and two Type 5's, one of which is an old Type 5, which is an induction dampened compass, (as in it is not oil filled). It still works, but you can see why they were superceded by oil filled compasses. My Expedition 54 is the older version of this ...

[GPSGuided]

3 Suunto died? Which models were they and how did they 'die'?

[photohiker]

Unless you are planning on regular overseas jaunts, the cost of a compass dedicated to a single zone makes more sense to me.

Fair comment. If you never move out of the zone you're in, no need for a multi zone compass.

The only Suunto failure I have heard about is an air bubble appearing in the compass. It was repaired or replaced by Suunto.

[rucksack]

GPSGuided .. All three Suunto's that failed were made in Finland. Two were diving compasses and both literally disintegrated with the bezel falling apart and the needle no longer pointing north. The third Suunto is a GPS Plotter (see photo). The needle tilts with the higher end resting up against the inside of the compass dome, so that it no longer points north. Bits of what looks like fine paint flakes (or such-like) are loose inside the compass housing and some of that I know was once upon a time on the needle itself. Perhaps, I was unlucky, but three out of three. I have four Silva compasses, all made in Sweden and all working, even my old Type 5 with induction dampening, which is probably of 1950s vintage and was given to me many, many years ago.

Here is a photo of my Suunto GPS Plotter with the recalitrant needle that no longer points north, nor swings freely and just for fun, a photo of my old 1950s induction dampened Silva Type 5, which, as I say, still works perfectly. The third photo is my Silva Voyager 8010, which is really a Brunton. It is an international compass, working across all zones (and the compass that I have taken with me when walking overseas).

[GPSGuided]

Thanks for sharing those photos. Bit of a bummer! I wonder if the failed units are from a particular vintage? Maybe the experience is not quite transferrable to the top of the line current day units the OP is seeking.

[Fermenter]

Interesting.

Couple of thoughts from this thread and my recent 'market research': firstly cost, which everyone always seems to bring up - we really aren't talking massive sums, even at the upper end of the category. Sure, it's good hard cash, but when you consider the money we probably all spend on other equipment, for something as important (and tactile) as a compass I'm probably happy to blow a bit of extra cash for the model I'm most going to enjoy owning and using. Whether it's $80 or $180 isn't going to upset me greatly for the right tool. As far as I can tell the difference between a regular and a global M3 is about $20.

Secondly, 'global' compasses are about more than just where you can use them - they have a smoother action to the usual bit of tin on a pin, they settle quicker and are generally more forgiving when handheld and even walking. They are just a more elegant design, In reality all compasses should probably be made that way, it is more likely an issue of patents and manufacturing setup than any actual unit cost.

I also reckon that if you do prefer the action of a 'global' compass, you might do well to pick up a spare sooner rather than later. According to Suunto's website the M3G is no longer in production, the Recta brand seems to be dead now, and I doubt Silva has any interest in buying patents and complicating its designs - they are more interested in reducing their production costs (and besides, who are they competing with?)

It's hard to see anyone that doesn't already sell a global compass developing a new one, I can't imagine there's that much growth in the mechanical compass market.

[GPSGuided]

What? M3G going off production? Is that what the $180 compass you referred to is? A bidding war for old M3Gs on eBay?

[rucksack]

You could be right GPSGuided. I don't think those Suunto diving compasses were all that expensive, but the GPS Plotter was certainly no cheapie.

Fermenter, I am not so sure you are on completely solid ground with your claim that the international compasses "have a smoother action to the usual bit of tin on a pin, they settle quicker and are generally more forgiving when handheld and even walking. They are just a more elegant design, In reality all compasses should probably be made that way ... " There are many very 'smooth action' single zone compasses and in my experience (and I have had and used more than a few compasses over the years), whether a compass is single zone or multi-zone has not been the defining feature as far as 'smoothness' goes. Think the single zone Brunton 5000 series for instance. They are seriously smooth, or perhaps the German-made K&R Alpin Pro prismatic sighting compass made by Kasper & Richter - another very 'smooth' compass. Like the Alpin Pro, my Silva Expedition 54 has a compass card and not a compass needle and balances on a saphire; it is seriously 'smooth' and a single zone compass. I won't go on, but I don't think that quality and 'smoothness' are determined by whether a compass is single zone or multi-zone.

About the 'disappearance' of the multi-zone compass, you are probably right, but multi-zone compasses were only ever a very small niche within the handheld and baseplate compass 'market'. With digital navigation aids making growing inroads into the traditional compass market, it is not surprising that niche compasses are the first to go. The general range of bushwalking compasses on offer now from the major compass manufacturers continues to shrink and soon we may only be left with the very basic 'cheapies' and the fiendishly expensive and little in between. Life eh?

[GPSGuided]

About the 'disappearance' of the multi-zone compass, you are probably right, but multi-zone compasses were only ever a very small niche within the handheld and baseplate compass 'market'. With digital navigation aids making growing inroads into the traditional compass market, it is not surprising that niche compasses are the first to go. The general range of bushwalking compasses on offer now from the major compass manufacturers continues to shrink and soon we may only be left with the very basic 'cheapies' and the fiendishly expensive and little in between. Life eh?

I'd argue the other way in relation to the take over of electronic compasses. With widespread availability of electronic compasses and digital navigation, it's more likely to wipe out the lower and middle range of the market ie. The users who have low technical demands on their compasses. The high end professional compass will stay along with a premium being charged for them. This scenario has played out in various market sectors.

[rucksack]

GPSGuided, I think that you may have partially misread me. I too think that the upper end (the professional end) of the compass market will be sustained. They are (and will continue to be) relatively expensive, but there is definitely a specialist market. The middle will go and is clearly already going. The cheaper end will be sustained for a while by schools and such like and one only has to look at the range of compasses now being offered by the likes of Silva and Suunto to see that is where a lot of their focus seems to be, so I agree with you on the top and the middle, but we differ on the lower end, which is probably of no interest to the OP. I think that cheap mass-produced basic compasses will be around for a while yet, but ever-cheaper mass-produced electronic devices will probably account for those too in time and we will largely be left with specialist offerings, which members of the bushwalking fraternity will dip into when looking for a decent and well-made hand-held compass. Time will tell, of course. Kayakers are similarly restricted to a very small range of suitable marine compasses. I find myself pairing up a Silva 69 (the model superceded by the current Silva 70, but almost identical to it) with an eTrex30 when I am kayak touring, using the latter for planning and recording and the well-made 69 for direction. It's a good combination, but a bit off this thread. All in all, if one is looking for a decent baseplate compass (and the OP is), the advice is: don't dawdle; the range of offerings is definitely shrinking.

[GPSGuided]

Thanks Rucksack and apology for mis-interpreting your earlier thoughts. As for the lower end, I would suggest that it'll get taken over by low end manufacturers who'll compete solely on price. Premium companies like Suunto and Silva, they'll be hard pinched to survive, to the point that they are better to just withdraw as there's no profit left for them. If they do lower their quality and price to compete, they'll run the risk of cheapening their brand name. Not wise.

However, I think we shouldn't be that pessimistic. I feel that there'll always a demand for decent compasses. Look at the price people are willing to pay for bushwalking/hiking gears these days, as some other have said earlier, a good compass is pretty cheap relatively speaking. I would not be surprised if nice compasses will become a fashion accessory for walkers. LOL

[north-north-west]

I have had 3 Suunto compasses die on me, so I am not a big fan of the brand.

Interesting. Only failure I've ever had with Suunto compasses is losing my favourite (20-odd year old) unit on Hyperion, when the cord broke and I didn't notice until too late. This includes my three diving compasses (one purchased, one gift and one found), the first of which is over 30 years old and still good as new.

Maybe you were just unlucky.

[johnw]

The third photo is my Silva Voyager 8010, which is really a Brunton. It is an international compass, working across all zones (and the compass that I have taken with me when walking overseas).

I also have a Silva Voyager 8010. No complaints, only used in Oz. I like the bright colour, harder to lose.

[alanoutgear]

Suunto, Suunto, Suunto - rogaining for 25 years and bushwalking for nearly 50 years - nothing better. I've got three M3s - just fantastic.

[rucksack]

Johnw .. yes, I quite like the Silva 8010 too and its bright yellow/green Brunton baseplate is very recognisable and fairly easy to spot if dropped. The large bezel numbers are easy to read and all in all, I think that the 8010 was (and is) quite a nice multi-zone compass. There was a single zone version too, called the 9020 and another single zone version marketed in the USA as a Brunton Classic, which looks very similar to the 9020 (and may even be the same model). Both the 9020 and the Classic have a smaller yellow/green baseplate than the 8010. As far as I know, the 8010 and 9020 are no longer in production, although they were on sale in the UK as late as 2009. I picked my 8010 up at Mountaincraft in London in April that year and it was £30 (about AUD$60), so neither an expensive, nor a cheap compass, just somewhere in the middle.

[Catcher]

I have read this thread with interest as I too am about to buy a baseplate compass. At Bogong the M3 global is $20 more than the standard M3 but they say this under the description of the M3G model:

"Please be aware that it is our experience that a global compass does not offer the needle speed and smoothness that a specifically balanced one does. For the best possible result get a specific balanced one such as the Suunto A30 or M3"

[GPSGuided]

Then you'll need to buy another when in the northern hemisphere. LOL


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