To ensure that you find your way, we’ve reviewed a few of the best survival compasses out there. We’ve also given up a buying guide ahead that will help you determine the sort of features you should look for in an ideal compass.
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| Product | Details | Price | |
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CMMG Official US Military Tritium Lensatic Compass |
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Check on Amazon |
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Cammenga 27CS Lensatic Compass, Phosphorescent |
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Check on Amazon |
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Silva Ranger 515 Compass |
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Check on Amazon |
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Cammenga US Miltary Tritium Lensatic Compass |
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Check on Amazon |
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Suunto MC-2G In Global Compass |
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Check on Amazon |
Check out our Top...
| Product |
|---|
CMMG Official US Military Tritium Lensatic Compass
|
Cammenga 27CS Lensatic Compass, Phosphorescent
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Silva Ranger 515 Compass
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Cammenga US Miltary Tritium Lensatic Compass
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Suunto MC-2G In Global Compass
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Camping and hiking are those extraordinary sports that nobody can avoid. They provide you a thorough way of exercising, appreciate the outdoors, and look for the miracles of nature. However, nothing can destroy your experience more than getting lost. The greater part of us depends on our cell phones for navigational assistance. Despite that, when you’re miles from any such coverage, the most ideal approach to remain safe is with the best survival compass.
Here are our top picks:
CMMG Official US Military Tritium Lensatic Compass
The CMMG Official US Military Tritium Lensatic Compass is a military-grade compass that is built with the amazing MIL-PRF-10436N specification. It undergoes thorough tests that ensure its water resistance. There are tests performed to determine its shockproof and sand proof nature as well. It is created in a manner to be functional at temperatures ranging from -50 degrees Fahrenheit to +150 degrees Fahrenheit. There is a copper induction damping system that is placed to slow down the magnetic rotation without the consumption of liquids. The compass is secured in an aluminum frame to last for long.
The CMMG Tritium Lensatic compass contains 7 Tritium Micro Lights that enable you to explore even in low-light conditions without requiring some other source of light. These lights stay brilliant for over 12 years without support. This compass comes with a magnifying glass, site wire, and dial graduations at both degrees for exact readings. The plastic bezel is a bit disappointing as it makes the compass feel and look flimsy, yet, this is an amazing survival compass.
The military gear is worth cherishing. The CMMG Tritium Lensatic compass is an accurate, quality built dynamic piece of gear. It is durable and strong. Numerous adventure enthusiasts state that they have made good use of it in unpleasant conditions without it getting damaged. The weight of this device proves to be a drawback for some of the users. So, if you are searching for a lighter apparatus, this is presumably not for you, in spite of the fact that it has a huge variety of good features.
The CMMG Tritium Lensatic Compass can get hammered, and it is an incredible choice for survival or outdoor usage.
- Durable
- Sand, shock and waterproof
- Tritium microlights illuminate the compass at low light conditions and night usage
- Tough, supports rugged usage
- Bezel is plastic and flimsy
- A bit heavy for some of the users
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Cammenga 27CS Lensatic Compass, Phosphorescent
The Cammenga 27CS Lensatic Compass is a bright lensatic compass with a set of features that function admirably when you are in the great outdoors. This compass has been thoroughly battle-tested to make it water, sand, and shockproof. It also easily functions when the temperature varies from -50 F to +150 F.
It comes with a magnifying glass, a sight wire, and mils for exact readings. There are dial graduations in the two degrees as well. The clamshell configuration makes it simple to maintain and carry. This compass has a copper induction damping lodging and non-fluid needle lodging. These, in turn, dampen the needle movement that is necessary for stability. This makes it resistant to the harshness in temperature and bubbling issues as well. This is a great compass for outdoors, climbing and obviously, survival if additional weight isn’t much of your concern.
With a military-style structure, the Cammenga Clam Pack Lensatic Compass is a quality survival compass that will work well for you on your treks. It is a notable expansion to your survival unit. If you are opting genuine exploring, we feel this is the compass for you. The item accompanies all that you need, including a pocket, cord, belt clasp, and guidelines.
There is one area that still needs a little maintenance, and that is the lens. It tends to fall off pretty quickly. This is a drawback considering the areas chosen for treks are very rugged and rocky. Else, we have nothing bad to say about its quality. One other point of attention, if you are thinking about choosing the Cammenga Clam Pack Lensatic compass, then know that it is somewhat heavier than most compasses out there. Yet, if it’s all the same to you, then it is a superb decision for your outside journeys.
- Comes with a military grade construction
- Features a non-liquid damping mechanism
- Sighting peephole guarantees maximal accuracy
- Lens is not secured properly
- Slightly heavier in comparison with baseplate compasses
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Silva Ranger 515 Compass
The Silva Ranger 515 Compass is a quality baseplate compass that includes an exemplary bezel, mirror, and lid that has a gnarled structure for better and simpler rotation and grip. The mirror comes with an etched detection line in the center so you can have an accurate bearing readout as well. The Silva Ranger 515 Compass has all that you need including a clinometer, declination adjustment, luminous markings for night usage and map magnifier too.
As indicated by Silva, these are multiple times as brilliant as watches and don’t get damaged after some time. This compass, for instance, has 2-degree gradings on the bezel. If having a hemispheric compass is not the main concern, the Ranger 515 is an excellent decision. It is one of the top competitors of the best selling compasses.
Firstly, we need to make reference that the Silver Ranger 515 is a great compass that works precisely and rotates effectively. Aside from not being a worldwide compass (and no, this is not related to this compass having a good amount of air travel miles). It is optimally designed and strongly built, so you stay satisfied with this great survival compass.
There is one little thing that is its area of vast improvement – the baseplate. We also believe that it is too packed with scales. In any case, with everything taken into account, this is an excellent compass for outdoors, climbing, and so forth. If you don’t wish to travel all over the world any time soon, the Silver Ranger 515 is a reasonable pick.
- Excellent quality
- Comes with loads of features
- Comes with an attached lanyard strap
- Has an overcrowded baseplate
- Not a global compass
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Cammenga US Miltary Tritium Lensatic Compass
The Cammenga Official US Miltary Tritium Lensatic Compass incorporates an incredible navigational capability in low light situations. It’s made with a cast aluminum case and is likewise waterproof. The Cammenga Compass has been intended to withstand difficult conditions, including scorching stun and extraordinary climate conditions. This survival compass is viewed as a standout amongst the best in the market since it is depended upon by military personnel as well as by government officials, for example, firemen, cops, salvage squads, and others government staff.
It can withstand atmosphere limits from scopes of -50° to +150°. It additionally has a precision dimension of +\-0002 and a life expectancy of 10-years. In spite of the fact that this item was generally welcomed, a few clients demonstrated that this specific model isn’t the official US military model as is claimed.
It is well-equipped with a sight wire, magnifying lens, dial graduations that are present in both degrees. There are mils as well to ensure accurate readings from the compass.
All things considered, the Phosphorescent Clam Pack Lensatic Compass with its shortcomings, is still superior to many other survival compasses out there. The great thing about this compass is the carrying ease. You can either carry it in the pouch that comes along with it or secure it to your own belt.
- Comes with utmost durability
- Clearly shock, water, and sand proof
- Well-equipped with copper induction system
- Very user-friendly
- The accuracy of this compass is a bit of an issue
- It is a little bit heavy for some of the users
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Suunto MC-2G In Global Compass
This Suunto MC-2G In Global Compass is a survival compass that should definitely be a piece of your gear. With its worldwide needle, it will work amazingly well in the northern just as the southern half of the globe. The Suunto MC-2G has a little polarized circle rather than a charged needle, which is set on a gimbal connected to the needle. This aids in the prevention of the needle from hitting the base of the compass when you are traveling to the southern hemisphere.
Likewise, the compass has a faster damping effect, which implies that you don’t need always to conduct bearing checks. The Suunto MC-2G also dial made to glow in the dark, which is perfect for the travel scheduled for night time. The compass also features an inclinometer for estimating different angles, mountains, heights, and cliffs.
We truly like the Suunto MC-2G on account of its quality, we believe is an amazing compass to have. The glowing bezel is an incredible feature in the compass. The flexible usability makes it a strong option to consider. It’s likewise worth mentioning its exactness in terms of both the northern and southern halves of the globe.
However, if there is anything we might want to transform, it would be the magnifying glass – it’s a bit too small for hastening usage. Other than that, we have no bad things to say. Despite the fact that it is somewhat pricier than different compasses in the market, we have no issue recommending the Suunto MC-2G survival compass to anybody needing one.
- Stays accurate even if tilted at different degrees during usage
- Very well-designed with a good set of features.
- Robust and durable
- Magnifying lens is too small for a proper view
- A bit pricey for some users
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Buyer’s Guide
If you wish to buy an excellent survival compass, you might consider the kind of features a decent great survival compass should definitely have. Some key pointers are those highlights that are found in compasses utilized by military administration and other military workforce.
Of the considerable number of users of survival compasses, nobody depends on it more than individuals from the military. They experience different conditions that could lead them into spots that they are unfit to escape until they utilize a decent quality survival compass.
Makers of military survival compasses have created them as such to bear thorough battle situations, spare lives, and be sturdy, lightweight, sand and waterproof, all without too much upkeep. They can also work amid the day or night, have a bi-directional turning bezel and an exactness dimension of between +/- 0002 and have the option to withstand temperatures between -50° to +150° F too.
Similarly, there are a number of things other than the aforementioned ones purchasers should search for when looking for a quality survival compass. They include:
Size and weight of the compass
Compasses that are lightweight and minimal in size are the ones that make much better survival compasses than substantial, huge or massive compasses. This will be progressively evident if you have a variety of different necessary things to carry, and this item will be taking all of your space. It won’t necessarily affect your luggage, but will definitely be a point of concern when you are preparing a satchel for a trek. It could make a burden by overloading you.
Waterproof finish
Compasses that are waterproof prove to be a better choice as a survival compass than those that are most certainly not. If you are in a different sort of survival situation or a combative environment, there’s always a chance for your compass to be exposed to harsh climatic or weather changes. This will necessitate that your compass is intended to withstand a wide range of climate conditions.
Having a dependable survival compass during heavy rainfall, snow or hail can be a big determinant of life and death, considering the nature of your compass to withstand it.
Self-luminating features
The main source of determination of the best survival compass also includes the luminating power it holds within. It is not decided whether or not you’ll do a nighttime excursion or trek, or be in a difficult, combative situation. The self-luminating features help you read the compass during night time when the surrounding light sources are low or completely absent. The indicators for luminescence can be placed on certain different areas of the compass. They can be on the orienting arrow or the four cardinal points, the bezel or the magnetized needle.
Durability
The survival compass, as the name indicates, is going to be used in tough situations. Therefore it should come with strong construction. The roughest conditions might befall on the user, and at those times, it should be able to withstand such havoc. There might be chances of it getting dropped or hit by something, so it should be defensive throughout. It is now up to you to pick a durable compass in order to save yourself from being in a situation where your less durable survival compass fails due to any above-mentioned reasons.
Accuracy
If you wind up in a circumstance where you totally should depend on a survival compass, then accuracy is most definitely needed. It’s critical to have one that is completely solid, one that will show you one clear way rather than directing you into a circle. This will only leave you directly back where you began from, which could be perilous. The accuracy, therefore, is of prime importance in any compass. Highly accurate compasses come with needles that don’t deviate from the set point no matter how much you tilt them or set them roughly.
Clinometer
For mountaineering and backcountry skiing, a compass that includes a clinometer is an incredible decision. It helps you in determining the steepness of any slope and save you from any hazards as you keep on climbing.
Sighting Mirror
If you need an exact route or want to go off-trail, you need to pick a compass with both declination modification and sighting mirror. This encourages you to locate an item or direct well with the compass capsule being visible.
Worldwide Needle
Whether you are a worldwide voyager or going on an outing south of the Equator, you need to get a compass that includes a worldwide needle. It works precisely regardless of which portion of the world you are at. Truly, this compass can enable you to discover the eateries you’ve been searching for too!
Magnifying glass
You will come across a few compasses that have a magnifying glass set into the baseplate. These compasses are helpful as you can utilize the magnifying focal point to peruse little messages on a guide.
Final thoughts
Be it a military mission or a simple trek, a robust journey filled with hiking and mountaineering or just a simple tour guide, the best survival compass is the one that sticks with you till the end. It must be easy for you now to figure out the compass of your needs by going through the guide and detailed reviews above.
Choosing a great compass is a very delicate point that requires a lot of thought in order to achieve the highest precision. If you put less amount of thought to it, you are most likely to end up lost in areas you thought your mobile signals might help you. It is, therefore, advised to pick the best survival compass and enjoy a safe journey!
