How to choose a compass

When a battery sits in your GPS device and the phone loses its cellular signal, the only thing you can rely on is a compass. This device is known from time immemorial and still has not lost relevance, providing the ability to navigate even in those conditions when the sky is overcast, and around - impassable forest. Of course, only in the case when the compass is selected and configured correctly, and the traveler himself knows how to use it.

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1. Top manufacturers
   
2. Types of compasses
3. The main criteria for choosing a compass

The best manufacturers. What company compass to choose?

In technical terms, a modern compass is a device that does not have any supernatural mechanisms, and therefore high-quality devices are on sale. When choosing a compass, preferred manufacturers should give preference to:

1. Silva;

2. Suunto;

3. Brunton International;

4. Sonar Inc.

You should also pay close attention not only to the characteristics of a particular model, but also to the features of working with it, to the advantages and disadvantages. It is easiest to find useful information on the Internet, only there are many reviews that describe the real state of affairs.

Types of compasses

All modern models of compasses can be divided into three main groups

Liquid compasses

The most simple and at the same time accurate devices. They represent a compact container with liquid, over which a copper or aluminum coil with a ferromagnetic arrow is fixed. On both sides of it are placed two magnets that create a magnetic field. By rotating the compass horizontally, you can quickly determine the exact location. Fluid gives additional stabilization of the arrow, significantly increasing the accuracy of the measurements.

Virtues

• Compact size;

• Low cost;

• Do not require adjustment and calibration;

• High accuracy of measurements;

disadvantages

• The tanks, as a rule, are made of glass and require extremely careful handling;

• Do not tolerate sharp blows and shaking;

Magnetic compass

The good old, known to each of us, the device. It is a compact "round bar" with a dial fixed in it and a rotating hand, the red end of which is magnetized and always points to the north. Thus, determining your own location, knowing where the north is, will have no difficulty even in the darkest night.

The magnetic compass system is widely used not only in universal tourist compasses, but also in highly specialized models - military, geological, navigation devices, astronomical and other compasses.

Virtues

• Small and convenient to operate;

• Low price;

• Unpretentiousness;

• High accuracy of indications;

• Ease of use;

disadvantages

• May give incorrect readings in the presence of a number of strong magnetic fields;

Electronic compass

A modern analogue of the classical model, with extended functionality.The role of the hand and the dial here is performed by a backlit LCD display, and the direction is determined using sophisticated information evaluation algorithms. On sale you can find extended models equipped with a GPS-navigator and a capacious battery that works for 4-6 days.

Virtues

• Accurate determination of coordinates;

• The presence of GPS-navigator in advanced models;

• Ease of use;

• Compact size;

• High functionality;

disadvantages

• It is necessary to charge the battery;

• High price.

The main criteria for choosing a compass?

Case dimensions and characteristics

When choosing a device of this class, you should pay close attention to its dimensions. The compass should be compact and not deliver discomfort during transportation and operation. Preference should be given to models that are protected from moisture and made in impact-resistant casing;

Compass type

Choosing a specific compass, you should focus on the above characteristics. If the device is purchased as a kind of insurance and backup option, it is best to purchase a compact water or magnetic compass. In the case when the compass becomes the only device intended for orientation in the terrain, it is best to prefer a high-precision digital compass with an integrated GPS navigator. Such devices allow not only to quickly determine the direction of the world, but also display the coordinates of your location.

Availability of additional functionality

Advanced army or geological compasses can be equipped with an engineering ruler, a magnifying glass for ease of use, a backlight designed for use by the device at night, and a viewfinder that simplifies navigation in the field. More functional are electronic compasses, on board which there are various devices, up to a full-fledged GPS-navigator and chartplotter, which provides full navigation and allows you to plot a route.

Gyro presence

Compasses, equipped with a gyroscope, not everyone needs. However, such devices are indispensable for river navigation, as well as for ballooning. The presence of this device allows the compass to determine not a magnetic, but a true north pole, which maximizes navigation accuracy and negates the negative impact of various electronic devices that distort readings.

Barometer and altimeter

These devices are extremely useful during mountain climbing and multi-day expeditions. A barometer is a device that measures pressure, and according to its readings, it is possible to predict a change in weather conditions. A sharp drop in pressure certainly means rain and thunderstorms, and a constant, consistently high pressure means clear and cloudless weather. The altimeter is designed to measure altitude relative to sea level, this device is extremely useful for travelers, conquering mountains. With its help, it is enough to simply monitor the progress of the expedition and analyze the altitude to which it was possible to climb over a certain period of time.

In the following articles, our experts tell how to choose a tourist lantern and secrets binoculars selection.

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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a guide to purchase.