Compasses for Wilderness Navigation

These recommendations more or less meet the recommendations of the Mountaineers (2024) and are for anyone wanting to complete a Wilderness Navigation Course or who take Wilderness Navigation seriously.  

NOTE: These compass recommendations are above and beyond what most Scouts and Adult outdoorsman will need. 

Key Features of a Good Navigation Compass

Adjustable Declination

• • Adjustable Declination significantly simplifies map and compass work

  • Most compasses do NOT have adjustable declination

    • A declination scale on the compass doesn't mean it has adjustable declination 

    • For declination to be adjustable, the Orienting Arrow (doghouse) MUST move independently of the Meridian Lines (aka orienting lines)

    • For navigation courses where everyone has a compass with adjustable declination, to include those with the Mountaineers, compasses without adjustable declination distract from learning about navigation 

  • Adjustable Declination with Adjustable Screw vs Toolless 

    • Most quality compasses use a brass adjustment screw for adjusting declination

      • These require a tiny key, unusually found on the lanyard, to adjust declination

      • This allows of fine adjustments and makes it difficulty to accidentally change your setting

    • Toolless compasses use a pinch-to-adjust feature

      • These are NOT recommended

Transparent Rectangular Baseplate

• • A transparent base plate allows you to see map features under the compass

    • It doesn't block out sections of the map

    • Allows you to better line up orientation lines of the compass with lines on the map

  • A rectangular shape provides straight edges

    • These help you plot on a map

    • A compass with a mirror has an even longer straight edge

Images of Sunnto MC-2 Bezel Variants (from left to right: 360°, Quadrant, Mils)
Image Source: suunto.com

For what we do - you want a compass with a 360° Bezel

0 to 360° Rotating Bezel

• • A good compass must have a Rotating Bezel

  • Increments should be 2° or less AND measured from 0 to 360°

  • Bezel should be large enough to allow you to turn it with gloves on

  • What NOT to get

    • 0-90° Quadrants

      • Used for Land Plat Surveys

      • Makes it easier to plot angles on a map

    • 0-6400 Mils

      • Mils is short for Mil-Radians

      • More precise than degrees

      • Used almost exclusively by the military

        • Used by artillery, mortars and tanks

        • Useful when making rough calculations for range and scale

      • This NOT what we use and will result in confusion

Meridian Lines (Orienting Lines)

• • These are found on the bottom side of the compass housing and rotate with the bezel

  • The run parallel to the north/south axis of the compass housing

  • These lines help you orient the compass with the grid lines on the map

Rulers

• • Most compasses have rulers and gradient scales engraved on the baseplate

  • U.S. 1:24000 scales are preferred

  • 1:25000 scale is acceptable

3-4 Inch Baseplate

• • Longer baseplates are make map work easier

  • Anything shorter than 3 inches will limit functionality of the compass

Sighting Mirror (Optional)

• • Significantly enhances ability to determine direction to distant targets

    • Useful on Advanced Navigation Courses

    • Can be useful when truly lost in the wilderness

    • Can be useful for Search and Rescue and Military operations 

  • Provided a longer straight edge

  • Protects the bezel

  • Can also be used as a signaling device and applying cosmetics

  • Bad:

    • Most people will never use a mirror on an actual trip

    • Adds weight and bulk to compass

    • Slows down use of compass - important in Orienteering Events

    • Quality compass with a mirror costs more than one without

Liquid Filled Housing (Optional)

• • Most quality compasses designed for backpackers are liquid filled

  • Fluid reduced erratic movement of needle by dampening movement

    • This is particularly important when using a compass while moving

  • Do NOT swing a compass by its lanyard - a crash can result in a leak

    • Don't do this with an expensive compass with copper induction-damping either

Inclinometer (Optional)

• • Allows you to measure slope angles

  • Nice to have

Recommended Compasses for Wilderness Navigation

Refer to the features listed above.  A good compass should have the features listed above.  The following is a list of compasses that are considered to be acceptable.  Keep in mind that designs change over time, as does manufacturing.  Swedish made compasses are now made in China and don't perform the same.  Also keep in mind that these compasses are more compass than most Scouts or hikers will need. 

• Suunto MC-2 Pro USGS

  • Made in Finland

  • Built in Mirror 

    • NON-mirror equivalent Suunto Compass: M-3 NH

  • Clinometer 

  • 1:24000 scale

  • Long straight edge

  • Best Choice

  • Many different versions

    • Make sure you pay attention to what you are purchasing 

    • Main difference includes:

      • 360 vs Quad vs Mil Bezels 

        • You want 360

      • Luminous bezel vs black bezel

      • Scales printed on baseplate:

        • NH Mirror Compass - CM and Inch

        • NH USGS Mirror Compass - Inch and USGS

        • 360/IN/D/NH Compass - Inch and Miles

        • 360/D/CM/IN/NH Compass - MM and Inch (1/20 increments)

      • NH, SH and G Needle

        • The Compass Needle is balanced to work in a specific part of the world

        • NH is for use in the Northern Hemisphere

        • SH is for use in the Southern Hemisphere

        • Both NH and SH compasses can be used on the equator, but the compass will need to be tilted a bit to get it to work

        • G uses a Global Needle

          • Can be used in both Northern and Southern Hemisphere 

          • Can also be used with greater tilt than the other two compasses

          • See below

    • Avoid:

      • Suunto MC-2 Quadrant Compass

        • Bezel is marked from 0 to 90 from the North and South poles to the East and West Poles

      • Suunto MC-2/G/6400 Military Compass

        • Bezel is marked from 0 to 64 instead of 0 to 360

• Suunto MC-2G Navigator

  • Made in Finland

  • Built in Mirror 

    • NON-mirror equivalent Suunto Compass: M-3G

  • Clinometer 

  • Global needle allows this to be used in both Northern and Southern Hemispheres

    • It also allows you to use the compass that isn't completely level - like when walking

    • Good if traveling to Patagonia 

  • SS014891000

  • Best Choice if you have extra money for gear

  • Avoid:

    • Suunto MC-2 Quadrant Compass

      • Bezel is marked from 0 to 90 from the North and South poles to the East and West Poles

      • SS004252010

    • Suunto MC-2/G/6400 Military Compass

      • Bezel is marked from 0 to 64 instead of 0 to 360

      • SS016326000

• Silva Ranger 2.0

  • Made in China

  • Clinometer 

  • Built in Mirror 

  • Bad - Declination is obscured

• Silva Explorer Pro

  • Made in China

  • Clinometer 

  • Bad - NO Mirror

  • Bad - Bendable

• Brunton TruArc15

  • Made in USA?

  • Built in Mirror 

  • Inclinometer 

  • Global needle

  • Bad - Bezel may pop out

• Brunton TruArc 7

  • Made in USA?

  • Discontinued

  • Global needle

  • Clinometer 

  • Bad - Fewer scales

  • Bad - Short straightedge

NOTE: Quality Varies

• Keep receipt 

• Return any compass that isn't perfect

Do NOT Buy 

• Prosight Map Compass from Sun Company

  • Adjustable Declination is not considered acceptable for Navigation Courses or Wilderness Navigation 

    • Friction held declination

    • Doesn't "lock" in position like "screw-based" mechanisms

    • Mountaineers recommend AGAINST using this compass because of adjustable declination design 

  • Glass mirror

    • Good - doesn't scratch as much

    • Bad - glass easier to break

  • Made in Taiwan

    • Better than China

    • Not as good and Finland