Mini Compasses
Mini compasses are great for determining cardinal directions. They allow for non-precise direction finding which is adequate for the majority of your navigation needs. These can be worn on wrists, hung from zipper or pack straps or stored in a small pocket. These make great SECONDARY Compasses, but should NOT be used to replace your primary Baseplate, Mirror or Lensatic compass.
Unfortunately, most mini compasses are made in China and some are non-functional or don't last very long.
Recommendation
Small, well made and clips onto an assortment of gear (watchbands, straps, sleeves, map cases)
Used as a SECONDARY compass
You still need a quality, full-sized compass
Button Type Compasses
Compasses don't get much smaller than a button compass, unless you plan on bringing just a magnetized needle to float on a leaf, which would be even less practical than using a Button Compass for navigation. Because of their minimal size, the are commonly placed in mini survival kits and are sometimes referred to as Survival Compasses or SERE Compasses.
Due to there small size, they can be easily stored away in all sorts of places:
Placed in small survival tin
Sewn into clothing for future use
Glued, hung or pinned to gear
Some were originally designed to be placed in a rifle buttstock
Also due to their small size, they are easily lost.
These are easy to find and manufactured by many companies around the world. Because of their popularity, the market is flooded with low quality products. We recommended that you stick with a reputable name brand if possible.
Chinese-made Button Compasses
Most button compasses (and compasses in general) are made in China
Quality varies greatly
Some are acceptable as a secondary compass and are a great value
Many are just garbage and arrive with bubbles, leaks and pointing in different directions
Sun Co Compass Capsules
Japanese made Sun Co 14mm and 20mm Grade AA Compass Capsules do well
Grade AA has a luminous dial
Grade AA should have NO bubble
20mm is easier to read than the 14mm, especially for old Scoutmasters
Other Sun products are made in Taiwan (Grade A) or China (Grade B) and are not as good
Grade A allows for a bubble less than 0.075" at 70°F
MiniComp II - Mini Orienteering Compass with Rotating Bezel
Great little micro compass
18mm Grade A Compass (not Grade AA)
The FB 1605 NATO Survival Button Compass
A very popular compass among the survival community
This is the famous "SAS Compass"
I was supposedly used by the SAS and pilots during World War II
Stories of soldiers sewing them into clothing so they won't get lost or confiscated
Stories of pilots swallowing them so they wouldn't be taken if captured (not recommended technique for Scouts)
Not fluid filled so not as effected by low temperatures or altitude as fluid filled compasses
Excellent built quality
Very expensive and not considered waterproof
Quality made, non-liquid filled compasses
Nice little, brass housed compasses
Favorite for survivalists who venture into cold environments
US Made to order
Have doubled in price in recent years and quadrupled over the past 10 years
Declination can be preset
US manufacturer Marble's and German manufacturer Wilkie made similar compasses in the past
Vintage compasses can still be found
New versions by Marble's are made in China and have longevity concerns
Silva SERE 40
This model was plagued with issues and is no longer available
Many reports of compass bubbles from the factory
Exception to rule of depending on name brands
Wrist Compasses
These are exactly what they sound like. These compasses are worn on your wrist. Some are designed to be attached to your watch band and other are designed to be warn like a watch.
Clips onto a watch band or other small band
Quality little compass
Considered an Excellent mini compass by many
Note: model with blue face does NOT have a luminescent dial but the one with black face does
Worn like a wristwatch
Reasonable, no frills wrist compass
The Azimuth is meant to be read through side port at bottom of dial
The tend to fog up in wet weather
Luminous vials of tritium makes this compass easy to read at night
A non-radioactive version is also available
Thumb and Hand Compasses
These are mainly designed and marketed for people competing in Orienteering events. They are warm on the back of the hand or thumb so they are readily available while keeping hands free to hold onto maps or to move freely through the course.
Used primarily for Orienteering competitions where speed is more important than precision
Made in Finland
Compact Compasses
These compasses are a little big for a Micro/Mini Compass and a little small for a Regular Sized Compass. They can be used like a regular compass and make for a nice backup to your main compass.
Nice little mirror compass. This is a very small compass.
Sighting hole and notch for accurate bearings
High grade steel needle with jewel bearing
Balanced for Northern Hemisphere
NOT-Liquid filled so Floats - so great for canoe use
Baseplate is black and NOT translucent - making certain map and compass techniques more difficult
Made in Finland
Compact little compass
Greater utility than a button type compass
Euro version is Ranger SL - with mm ruler instead of inch ruler
Unfortunately there are many reported quality issues
Check for bubble BEFORE purchasing
Made in China