Navigating the great outdoors requires a reliable compass to keep you on track. In this post, we explore 7 essential survival compasses that are a must-have for your outdoor adventures. From compact designs to high durability, these compasses are designed to help you find your way in any terrain.
Brand Hiking Survival Compass – Waterproof Pocket-Sized
Navigate confidently through challenging terrains with the COTOUXKER Hiking Compass for Survival. This military compass offers high accuracy and reliability, ideal for camping, hiking, and mountaineering adventures. Built to last with rugged materials, this waterproof compass is equipped with enhanced features like a lensatic function and glow-in-the-dark interface for nighttime navigation. Its convenient portability makes it easy to carry on-the-go, ensuring you stay on track even in remote areas or low-light conditions. Discover the reliability and durability of this pocket-sized compass, a critical tool for any outdoor enthusiast.
Sportneer Military Grade Lensatic Orienteering Compass
The Sportneer Compass is a professional grade military compass designed for camping, hiking, and emergencies. Its lensatic design ensures accurate readings, while its military construction makes it tough and durable. The compass is portable with a belt loop attachment and a carrying case, making it ideal for outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and mountain climbing. The interface glows in the dark for easy reading at night, making it a practical and reliable tool for adventurers.
The Sportneer Compass has received praise for its sturdy all-metal housing, bright sighting optics, and centering bubble feature. Users have noted its accuracy, durability, and value for money, with some describing it as a compass that will last a lifetime of adventures. While some reviewers mentioned minor issues like a loose bezel, overall feedback emphasizes the compass’s solid construction, functionality, and affordability, making it a highly recommended tool for outdoor enthusiasts and serious trekkers alike.
Eyeskey Military Compass for Outdoor Activities
This Eyeskey Multifunctional Military Sighting Navigation Compass with Inclinometer is a heavy-duty and reliable tool perfect for outdoor adventures like hiking, camping, and hunting. Built with a clinometer for measuring slope angles and avalanche hazards, it also features a luminous dial, magnifying viewer, and sighting hairline for accurate readings. The waterproof rugged aluminum alloy construction ensures durability in tough situations, making it a valuable companion for navigation in the wilderness. Users appreciate its quality, solid build, and the sense of security it provides during outdoor activities.
Proster IP65 Professional Military Hiking Compass
The Proster IP65 Hiking Compass with Sighting Clinometer is a professional-grade military compass built for outdoor enthusiasts. This rugged compass features a sighting telescope for precise readings, a luminous magnet arrow for night use, and an inclinometer for measuring height and slopes. It is designed to withstand extreme weather conditions and is ideal for camping, hiking, hunting, and other outdoor activities. Customers have praised its durability, features, and educational value, making it a fantastic purchase for young explorers and seasoned adventurers alike.
TurnOnSport Orienteering Compass for Kids
The Orienteering Compass Hiking Backpacking Compass is a compact and durable navigational tool that offers high-speed precision with its magnetic needle and horizontal orienteering lines. It is lightweight and easy to use, making it ideal for both beginners and experienced hikers. With features like a magnifying glass for map reading and a 360-degree rotating bezel, this professional field compass is perfect for outdoor adventures and survival situations. Customers praise its accuracy, quality construction, and reliable performance, making it a great gift for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts of all ages.
Coghlan’s Carabiner Compass
Coghlan’s 1985 Carabiner Compass is a durable and affordable accessory that attaches easily to bags or belts. With luminous directional markers on its 1.06-inch face, this compass aids in easy reading even in low light conditions. Customers appreciate its accuracy, lightweight design, and smooth hinge movement, making it a reliable indicator of North. Suitable for casual hiking and camping, it is praised for its portability, sensitivity, and sturdy construction. This practical compass also features glowing NSEW indicators for added convenience during nighttime use.
Kanayu Small Pocket Magnetic Compass
This pack of 24 small pocket compass keychains is perfect for outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and scouting. Made of durable ABS material, these compact compasses are easy to attach to backpacks and keychains, making them convenient companions for exploration. While not highly precise, they provide a fun and practical tool for kids and adults to enjoy nature and learn basic orientation skills. Ideal for giveaways or educational activities, these mini compasses offer a playful way to encourage curiosity and adventure in young explorers.
Compass Options
Key Features to Consider When Choosing a Survival Compass
- Durability: Look for a survival compass made of sturdy and durable materials that can withstand rough handling and outdoor conditions
- Accuracy: Choose a compass that has a high level of accuracy and precision in order to navigate accurately in the wilderness
- Features: Consider additional features such as a sighting mirror, adjustable declination scale, and luminescent markings to enhance usability in various survival situations
Affordable Navigation Solutions for Outdoor Enthusiasts
- $10-$20: Basic survival compasses made of plastic with a simple design, suitable for occasional outdoor use or as a backup compass
- $20-$40: Mid-range survival compasses with features such as luminous dials, magnifying glasses, and durable construction, ideal for hikers and campers who need a reliable navigation tool
- $40-$60: High-quality survival compasses with advanced features like rotating bezels, thermometer, and sighting mirror, designed for outdoor enthusiasts, survivalists, and professionals who require precise navigation capabilities
- $60 and above: Premium survival compasses made of high-grade materials, with additional functions like GPS integration, altimeter, and digital display, perfect for serious adventurers, hunters, and military personnel who depend on accurate navigation in challenging environments
Survival Instructor Shares Advanced Navigation and Compass Tips
Compass FAQs
A survival compass works by utilizing the Earth’s magnetic field to determine directions. The needle inside the compass is magnetized and aligns itself with the Earth’s magnetic field, pointing towards the magnetic north pole. By knowing the difference between magnetic north and true north (the geographic north pole), you can determine your direction and navigate accurately.
Yes, a survival compass can be used in extreme weather conditions. Most high-quality compasses are designed to withstand harsh weather, including rain, snow, extreme temperatures, and strong winds. However, it is always important to take precautions and protect the compass as much as possible to ensure accurate readings in challenging conditions.
Yes, a survival compass can show directions accurately in different environments as long as it is used correctly and away from magnetic interference. Compasses work based on the Earth’s magnetic field, so they can provide accurate direction information wherever you are, whether it’s in the wilderness, mountains, or other environments. However, it is important to keep in mind that local magnetic anomalies or interference from metal objects can affect the accuracy of a compass reading.
Yes, there are special techniques for using a survival compass when navigating through dense forests or mountainous terrain. One important technique is to take a bearing before setting off and periodically check it along your route to ensure you are heading in the right direction. It is also helpful to identify prominent landmarks on your map or in the terrain to aid navigation. In dense forests, it is crucial to use terrain association by correlating map features with what you see around you. In mountainous terrain, adjusting for declination and accounting for magnetic interference from rocks or metal objects can help ensure accurate navigation with a compass.
When looking for a survival compass, essential features to consider include:
- Durability: Choose a compass made of sturdy materials that can withstand rough handling and outdoor conditions.
- Liquid-filled capsule: A liquid-filled compass is more accurate and stable, providing a more reliable reading.
- Rotating bezel: Look for a compass with a rotating bezel that allows you to align the compass with your map for accurate navigation.
- Graduated markings: Ensure the compass has clear and easy-to-read degree markings for precise navigation.
- Declination adjustment: Having the ability to adjust for magnetic declination in your specific location is crucial for accurate navigation.
- Magnifying lens: A built-in magnifying lens can be helpful for reading small map details or coordinates.
- Luminous components: Opt for a compass with luminous markings or a built-in light for improved visibility in low-light conditions.
By considering these features, you can choose a reliable and effective survival compass for your outdoor adventures.
Some recommended brands and models of survival compasses for outdoor enthusiasts or survivalists include:
- Suunto MC-2 Global Compass: Known for its accuracy and durability, the Suunto MC-2 is a popular choice among outdoor enthusiasts and survivalists.
- Brunton TruArc 5 Compass: This compact and reliable compass is favored for its ease of use and precise navigation capabilities.
- Silva Ranger Compass: The Silva Ranger series is well-regarded for its high-quality construction and dependable performance in various outdoor conditions.
- Cammenga Military Lensatic Compass: Trusted by military personnel, the Cammenga Lensatic Compass is known for its rugged design and precise readings.
It’s important to consider factors like accuracy, durability, and ease of use when choosing a survival compass for outdoor activities or emergency situations.
Survival compasses are generally considered reliable for basic navigation as they do not rely on batteries or satellite signals. They provide a simple and lightweight tool for determining direction. However, GPS devices and smartphones with navigation apps offer more advanced features such as real-time tracking, detailed maps, and additional information. GPS devices and smartphones are typically more accurate in pinpointing exact locations and offering more comprehensive navigational capabilities. In terms of accuracy, GPS devices and smartphones with navigation apps are generally considered more precise and reliable compared to survival compasses.
Survival compasses are designed to be durable and withstand rough handling. Most survival compasses are made from robust materials such as metal or durable plastic to ensure they can endure harsh conditions. While the level of durability may vary depending on the specific compass model and brand, generally, survival compasses are built to be rugged and reliable in challenging outdoor environments. It is important to choose a high-quality compass from a reputable brand to ensure it can withstand rough handling and last through tough conditions.
Having a high-quality compass is essential for staying safe in the wilderness.
Great list! I never go on outdoor adventures without a reliable compass.
I like that this article includes affordable options for those on a budget.
I wish the article had included more tips on how to use a compass effectively.
I’ve used a couple of these compasses before and they were spot on!
Does anyone have recommendations for a compass with additional features like a mirror?
It would be nice to see a comparison of these compasses in terms of durability.