Baseplate Compasses

Baseplate compasses are the simple compasses used by most outdoorsman.  A translucent compass capsule is mounted on a clear baseplate, usually with a rotating bezel.  They can do most tasks well and come in a small package that easily fits in your pocket.  

The clear baseplate allows you to place your compass on your map to use as a protractor.  This allows you to use several must know, field-expedient navigation techniques that you can't perform with an opaque base or case. 

Of the many different compass designs, the Baseplate Compass design is the most practical choices for 90% of Scouts. 

Recommendation

• Suunto A-10 Compass

  • Simple, high quality compass

  • Baseplate design allows for great utility and ease of use

  • Made in Finland

• Suunto M-3 Compass

  • Next level up

  • Adjustable declination correction makes it much more functional for navigation

  • Made in Finland

Quality Concerns

A compass is a precision tool that can impact whether you stay on route or make it home.  Like other survival tools, it is important to select one that not only works, but is dependable in rough conditions and when you need it most.  

The following Manufactures are known to make quality products:

• Suunto (Finland)

• Breithaupt (Germany)

• Kasper & Richter (Germany) 

• Cammenga produces excellent Lensatic Compasses (USA)

• Brunton produces excellent Transit Compasses (USA)

Of these Suunto is the only company that reliably makes quality baseplate compasses that are easily available to US Scouts. 

Most other brands have hit and miss products.  Silva Sweden is known for making excellent products in the past, but has since moved production to China.  They still have name brand loyalty, but many of their newer products have had significant issues.

Economy Compasses

It's easy to find "deals" on Amazon and Ebay.  You can get bunk compasses for very little and many Scout Troops and Scout Camps use these.  There are several drawbacks that are generally associated with economy compasses.

• Longevity - Many will get sticky or leak over time

• Precision - some don't point north - test before use

• Most are made in China and quality control on economy/disposable compasses usually isn't great

• Dreaded bubble 

  • Liquid filled compasses develop bubbles when very cold or at high altitude - this should resolve when warmed

  • Some compasses will become less likely to develop bubbles as the case becomes more flexible with repeated expansion/contraction

  • Some compasses will develop a micro leak and form a permanent bubble

  • Some come from the factory with a bubble!

If you get compasses in bulk, check to see they point north and throw away the ones the don't.  These are great for training where you need a lot of compasses that will get abused and potentially lost.  These are not the compasses you want to depend on in the Wilderness.

Suunto M-3 G Compass

The M-3 also comes in a Global model.  The Global version has a 20 degrees tilt, special bearing that allows it to be used in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.  It also makes it easier and quicker to get bearing when your compass isn't perfectly level and when on the move. 

The G Model also comes with a clinometer.