Analogue Compass

[JustTroItIn]

Can anyone recommend a decent analogue mountable compass? GPS is great but I often find myself in the middle of the woods and just want to know what direction I'm pointing.

I used this one all summer/fall and once I found a place to mount it with no interference (passenger visor), it was great.

Amazon.com

I'm in Michigan and when winter hit the cheap thing froze, cracked, and the fluid leaked out.

The other options available on Amazon look rather clunky or the same cheap junk I expect would also freeze. Anything of decent quality are normally targeted for boats and are huge.

 

[Ripper238]

I got myself one of these. Portable and reliable. :yo:

 

[like2lean]

I got myself one of these. Portable and reliable. :yo:

Yup, that's a good one, I've had one for...a long time.

 

[trainman605]

Being a Boy Scout some 65 years ago, I would still go for the real thing when I was out in, nowhere land. It's like a watch with hands on it, still works well for me.

 

[Centrifugal]

Go to REi, get a Suunto or Brunton compass.
Or if you have a smart phone use the built-in compass app.

 

[trainman605]

Go to REi, get a Suunto or Brunton compass.
Or if you have a smart phone use the built-in compass app.

I agree with your choice of compasses. but if you don't cell service then the phone doesn't work, but a GPS device will.

 

[Centrifugal]

I agree with your choice of compasses. but if you don't cell service then the phone doesn't work, but a GPS device will.

After you calibrate it when you have a signal the iPhone, and I presume Androids also, give you pretty accurate location without cell service. They use sensors like the magnetometer, accelerometer, gyroscope along with the GPS receiver.

I use mine for off-grid navigation every week.

 

[Charlievee]

I got myself one of these. Portable and reliable. :yo:

I have a few of these, always with the tritium.

 

[swampdodo]

Isn't there an issue using a compass inside or near a vehicle...couldn't the compass be influenced or interfered with by the vehicle's various metallic and electronic components?

I know the electric compass like the one build into some rear view mirrors are 'compensated' for vehicle interference...engineered for vehicle use.

 

[Zapp Brannigan]

How about the FJ Cruiser compass pod?

 

[JustTroItIn]

Update after trying a few cheap options.

I bought this KanPas Hanging Car Compass Ball for Rearview Mirror April of 2023 I originally mounted it to the grab handle, but there was too much interference from the truck. Ultimately hung it from the rear view mirror as advertised and while it didn't fit perfect it worked. Then winter came, and it froze and cracked. Cheap junk I paid way too much for.

April of 2024 I bought VICTOR PRODUCTS INC Suction Cup Mini Compass. I mounted it in the same location, just under the rear view mirror. This one has worked fine in that location also, and so far held up through the winter (low 20's so far). At $9 I'll buy another in the spring if it doesn't make it.