Mini/Button compass

[nitrambur]

I'm looking for a compass to put in an emergency tin, has anyone got any recommendations?

I don't really fancy the deal-extreme point any way but north ones, and I don't trust fleabay sellers as they've probably bought theirs from DX.

So, what should I be looking for?

Cheers,
Nit

 

[Retired Member southey]

Silva have a nice little compass, usually comes housed in a rubber thingy to fix it to your watch strap.

 

[Retired Member southey]

here it is

 

[_mark_]

I use Marbles.

 

[SimonM]

Another vote for Marbles here.

Simon

 

[Melonfish]

Marbles? how does that work?

 

[FGYT]

have you used one other than a vague idea where north is which you can get from the sun etc
if you do pack one get out and practice with it first i would pack a bigger but still compact Silva 9or silva fields 7 etc if you need to navigate then take something that lets you do that

ATB

Duncan

 

[pwb]

And yet another vote for the Marbles here .

If space is limited the Francis Barker brass button compass looks great, always fancied one myself , bit pricey though.

I've got the Francis Barker yellow plastic button compass . Came in a survival kit I bought years ago, seems fine if not so robust.

 

[Dougster]

I have the Marbles, it is slow to move and sticks due to a large bubble, the Francis Baker is good, but tiny and I got rid of mine.

Played with a Silva and it is fast to settle and the right size for me. Will probably get rid of the barbles and go with the Silva.

 

[SimonM]

Marbles? how does that work?

Marble's Brass Survival Compass
Marble’s® traditional brass body compasses are a 100-year-old institution with outdoorsmen worldwide. Teddy Roosevelt carried a Marble’s compass as did Admiral Perry and Byrd on trips to the North and South Pole. Marble compasses have been routinely pinned on G.I. Bomber and flight jackets in every American conflict since World War ll. A Marble Compass is simply one of the best brass button compasses available.

Marble’s® compasses are still in use today by serious outdoorsmen and survivalists world wide. A compass in a survival situation is a must. If it becomes necessary to move from your current location, you must know which way you are going. A survival compass is a basic survival item and the Marble Compass does the job admirably.

The Marble Brass Button Compass is available in both pin on and pocket versions and features solid brass bar stock construction. The brass compass casing is strong, malleable, waterproof, and will not rust. The movement rotates on an ultra smooth agate jewel bearing and the crystal of the Marble Compass is virtually shatterproof. With a distinctive revolving black face and green luminous letters, the Marble’s® compass is simple and easy to read.

I have this one...

But you can get these too...

Another vote would be the Brunton ball compass...

Hope that clears it up.

Simon

 

[Melonfish]

Aaaaaah marbles is a MAKE of compass, right. you lot had me proper wondering how the hell you use a marble (glass ball) to give you north.
perhaps if its mounted on a small table and you wear a little head scarf and call yourself mystical moira or something.

ooh, i like that ball compass!

 

[SimonM]

I have a Brunton ball compass fixed to my man bag...just a quick glance down gives me a rough direction.

Simon

 

[daveO]

I have a Brunton ball compass fixed to my man bag...just a quick glance down gives me a rough direction.

Simon

I quick glance down tells me where my balls are too. It's north I have trouble finding...

 

[nitrambur]

Thanks for your help, I quite like the Silva Carabiner 9

 

[OhCanada]

I recommend the Sunnto Clipper compass with a glow-in-the-dark dial (there is also a non-glow model that is the same) because it has a direction of travel arrow, a step up from the featureless button compass.

 

[philaw]

I've got a BCB button compass and I like it. It's liquid filled, points north and lives in the coin compartment of my wallet.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BCB-Explorer-...181766&cguid=eae8f7b31210a0e204776a87ffe41366

 

[DV...]

Silva have a nice little compass, usually comes housed in a rubber thingy to fix it to your watch strap.

Yep, wearing one now as I type

 

[Wayland]

Another vote for the Marbles

But put a drop of Loctite on the threads of the case or one day you'll look down and it won't be there. (I'll let you guess how I know that.)

 

[forrestdweller]

interesting thread as i'm looking for a reliable button compass as a backup myself. can the compasses mentioned above be used worldwide? and does storage next to magnetism affect the long-term performance?