Elite Thumb Orienteering Compass Fast Neddle Setting for Outdoor Adventure Map Reading

If you don't need to shoot a super accurate azimuth, but just need to orient yourself on a trail map quickly, there is little better than this race compass.Needle is fast, damp, and smooth; it you are trying to read it, you can't reasonably turn faster than the needle. It's like magic . I use mine for rec trail running and races when I want to keep my phone safely in my bag.The rotating bezel is smooth, tight, and stays in place, blurring the line between this and an orienteering, base plate compass. If combined with a military Nav Card/Protractor, one might be better off anyway as those nav cards are so much better for use on a table, anyway. Because of this this compass has replaced my other baseplate compasses for hiking.the only thing this compass wont do is shoot really acurate azimuths. If you need to degree precise, for tasks like taking back azimuths, or doing light duty sight work, obviously a sighting compass or lensatic will do you better. Obviously this wont be replacing my Suunto MC-2 or MB-6, I doubt I will be using anything else when I reach for a compass.

I like this a lot. I bought this to go orienteering to hopefully cut down some of the time it takes to pull out a regular compass. just FYI two of the red dashes on this compass are 1cm or 10mm.

Needle sticking after 10 months. No bubbles.

I do believe this will become my new favorite compass for Search and Rescue land nav.I won’t go into the pros and cons of compass types. Work that out for yourself. Personally, I like my compass, on my map, in my hand ALL the time, with degree markings (not color blocks) for checking actual bearings and headings. In other words, this kind of compass.Pros:Settles fast.Easy to read black on white degree markings (only one number is over-written by branding, compared to competitor’s 3 numbers over-written).Distance marks are printed on the underside of the compass eliminating parallax errors. Bezel rotates easily.Very affordable.Possible cons: Scale of distance markers is 1:25000 which is not good for standard US 1:24000 topo maps.Bezel feels a little wobbly. Makes me nervous that it will pop off.Degree markings are applied to the outside, not inside the housing... not sure how long this will last under heavy use.I made the usual mods that I make for this kind of compass. Added a thin line decal on the underside to mark my location’s declination. Scored lines on the distance marker and black inked them to mark 1:24000 scale. Swapped the thumb elastic for a softer one, skipping over the outside slot to correct the compass and direction line angle 90 degrees to my body without having to twist my wrist.Options I would love to see in this type of compass:Declination screw.1:24000 scaleOpen U shape at the top instead of a thumb hole for better grip on plastic map holder in wet weather.Softer elastic (non chaffing).Adjustable angle for elastic (longer, curved, outside slot) to better position compass direction line.

We started orienteering and got this because it also had a magnifier, which our older eyes needed to see those maps! Nice size and the numbers on the dial are crisp and easy to see.

While this is a niche market product, it nonetheless is effective for anyone as an easily handheld compass for following a compass course or maintaining your bearing. Alignment is highly visible, and this model has degree markings (some have color segments for quicker more effective use while trail running) and needle movement is fast, yet settles incredibly quickly. The light compass is secure in hand with its comfortable, adjustable thumb band and thumb rest extension, so its easily kept in hand if so desired.Perhaps this model is overkill for the typical backpacker or hiker, but it is unobtrusive and easy to bring to bear to check your heading, and with its easily adjusted compass ring, allows quick, easy, regular checks to insure you're on course to your destination or segment end.Very satisfied.

Just what we wanted to use. Small easy to use orienteering compass

I purchased three of these for myself and two of my kids who are Scouts for our orienteering adventures. They blow every other compass we've used out of the water. We took these to Philmont and loved them. They aren't bulky. They are well-made and highly effective. And they come with a nice case for storage. I can't imagine using another compass now. LOVE THESE!!!! Great gift or stocking stuffer, too.