Last updated: 09 Jan, 2021
In this article, I have listed 11 best compasses for hiking lovers. Before moving to the list, let’s check the things you should consider while buying a compass for hiking.
Let’s have a look at our top 3 picks –
Invalid table id.
[su_column size=”1/2″ ]
[su_box title=”What We Like” box_color=”#31b92a” title_color=”#ffffff”]
- High-grade steel needle
- Lightweight
- Value for Money
- Ideal for new learners.
[/su_box]
[/su_column]
[su_column size=”1/2″ ]
[su_box title=”What We Didn’t Like” box_color=”#e81414″ title_color=”#ffffff”]
- No clinometer
- Fixed declination correction scale.
[/su_box]
[/su_column]
[/su_row]
- Recreational Compass: Minimalistic and straightforward, the A-10 compass is the ideal hiking and orienteering compass that is fast and simple to use; Balanced for northern hemisphere use with inch/cm scales and a fixed declination
- Baseplate Compass: Ideal for navigating with a map and compass, the A 10 is compact and features a high grade steel needle with jewel bearing and a liquid filled capsule for stable operation
- Stay On Course: Made in Finland, Suunto mechanical compasses help you safely and accurately navigate the great outdoors; Great for Alpine skiing, hiking, trekking, mountain biking, trail running and more
- Pioneering Exploration: Combining advanced engineering and thoughtful design with ultra durable materials, our adventure ready compasses are fast, stable, and simple to use; No batteries required
- Authentic Heritage: Founded in 1936, Suunto brings over 80 years of high quality heritage craftsmanship, relentless accuracy, and pioneering innovation to our watches, compasses, and dive products
#2. Brunton TruArc 3
Brunton TruArc 3 is an Entry-Level compass for basic orienteering and mapping with a global needle. Declination of this compass can be adjusted without any tool and it has inch/Cm scales.
Weight of this compass is 1.12 oz and measures about 2.5 x 0.5 x 3.5”. Brunton TruArc 3 is ideal for beginner level hiking enthusiast.
[su_row]
[su_column size=”1/2″ ]
[su_box title=”What We Like” box_color=”#31b92a” title_color=”#ffffff”]
- Global Needle
- Toolless declination compensation.
- Ideal for beginners.
[/su_box]
[/su_column]
[su_column size=”1/2″ ]
[su_box title=”What We Didn’t Like” box_color=”#e81414″ title_color=”#ffffff”]
- Not suitable for cold temperatures
- Declination setting is not that precise.
[/su_box]
[/su_column]
[/su_row]
#3. SUUNTO A-30
Suunto A-30 is a lightweight, versatile compass made of durable, clear, scratch-resistant acrylic.
This compass also has a magnifying lens, luminous bezel and marking in inch or Cm scales.
Weight of this Compass is about 1.1 oz and measures about 2.2X4.3”. Magnetic declination can be adjusted using the built-in screwdriver.
Roamer Scale is graduated for 1:24,000 and 1:50,000 scales of maps.
[su_row]
[su_column size=”1/2″ ]
[su_box title=”What We Like” box_color=”#31b92a” title_color=”#ffffff”]
- Comes with detachable snap-lock
- Two-zone system for reliable reading in Northern Hemisphere.
[/su_box]
[/su_column]
[su_column size=”1/2″ ]
[su_box title=”What We Didn’t Like” box_color=”#e81414″ title_color=”#ffffff”]
- Need to do some orientation before use.
[/su_box]
[/su_column]
[/su_row]
- Hiking Compass: Compact and accurate compass that features a high grade steel needle with jewel bearing; The baseplate compass is balanced for northern hemisphere use with Metric scales and a fixed declination
- Precise And Practical: Great for hiking and orienteering, the A-30 Compass has luminescent markings for low light conditions and a magnifying lens on a transparent baseplate for easy use with map
- Stay On Course: Made in Finland, Suunto mechanical compasses help you safely and accurately navigate the great outdoors; Great for Alpine skiing, hiking, trekking, mountain biking, trail running and more
- Pioneering Exploration: Combining advanced engineering and thoughtful design with ultra durable materials, our adventure ready compasses are fast, stable, and simple to use; No batteries required
- Authentic Heritage: Founded in 1936, Suunto brings over 80 years of high quality heritage craftsmanship, relentless accuracy, and pioneering innovation to our watches, compasses, and dive products
Checkout – Best flashlight for hiking
#4. SE CC4580 Military Lensatic and Prismatic Sighting
SE CC4580 compass is thermo-elastic liquid filled capsule with floating dial to make sure you will be able to navigate at night. This compass comes with a hole for the tripod connection and an adjustable diopter sighting lens with sighting lines on the cover.
Weight of this Compass id about 3.68 oz and measures about 3X2X5”.
Magnetic declination can be adjusted using the built-in screwdriver. This compass has military toughness with heavy-duty digital camouflage printed cover and water-resistant nylon pouch to make sure your compass lasts through the toughest conditions.
Roamer Scale is graduated for 1:25,000 and 1:50,000 scales of maps.
[su_row]
[su_column size=”1/2″ ]
[su_box title=”What We Like” box_color=”#31b92a” title_color=”#ffffff”]
- Comes with water-resistant nylon pouch.
- Tripod screw hole on the base.
- Adjustable diopter sighting lens.
[/su_box]
[/su_column]
[su_column size=”1/2″ ]
[su_box title=”What We Didn’t Like” box_color=”#e81414″ title_color=”#ffffff”]
- Heavy for its size
- The needle might get stuck sometimes.
[/su_box]
[/su_column]
[/su_row]
- FLOURESCENT: Our thermo-elastic liquid-filled capsule with floating dial makes sure the whether light discipline is your goal, or just practicing navigation at night, you will always be able to see your way.
- VERSATILE: Our compass is great for camping, scouting, hiking, training, and anything else you may need it for.
- FUNCTION: With the tripod screw hole the on base, adjustable diopter sighting lens, sighting lines on cover, and handy paracord loop, our compass promises to function whenever and wherever you may need it.
- ACCURATE: When accuracy matters most, sighting lines on cover as well as a conversion chart for angle, gradient, and distance on the back plate ensure you get where you need to be.
- MILITARY TOUGHNESS: Heavy-duty digital camouflage printed cover and water-resistant nylon pouch ensure that your compass will last through the toughest conditions.
#5. Suunto MC-2G
Suunto MC-2G in Global Compass is an advanced navigation compass that is suitable for global mountaineers.
It also comes with a declination adjustment key and also includes anti-slip rubber, Magnifying glass, Large mirror, and global balancing clinometer.
Weight of this compass is 2.65 oz and measures about 2.56 x 3.98 x 0.71”. Suunto MC-2G has all the features that are must for a Global Explorer.
Roamer Scale is graduated for 1:20,000 and 1:25,000 scales of maps.
[su_row]
[su_column size=”1/2″ ]
[su_box title=”What We Like” box_color=”#31b92a” title_color=”#ffffff”]
- The baseplate features inch markings and magnifying glass for accurate map reading.
- Sighting Holes for accurate navigation.
[/su_box]
[/su_column]
[su_column size=”1/2″ ]
[su_box title=”What We Didn’t Like” box_color=”#e81414″ title_color=”#ffffff”]
- It is quite Expensive for a newbie hiker
- The lid is hard to shut.
[/su_box]
[/su_column]
[/su_row]
- Advanced Navigational Compass: Made with serious hikers in mind, this professional mirror compass was designed for precise directional measurement and has been balanced for global use with Metric UTM scales and inch ruler
- Precise And Dependable: Operable in low light conditions, the MC-2 Compass includes a sighting hole and notch for accurate bearings, declination adjustment tool, and a clinometer
- Stay On Course: Made in Finland, Suunto mechanical compasses help you safely and accurately navigate the great outdoors; Great for Alpine skiing, hiking, trekking, mountain biking, trail running and more
- Pioneering Exploration: Combining advanced engineering and thoughtful design with ultra durable materials, our adventure ready compasses are fast, stable, and simple to use; No batteries required
- Authentic Heritage: Founded in 1936, Suunto brings over 80 years of high quality heritage craftsmanship, relentless accuracy, and pioneering innovation to our watches, compasses, and dive products
#6. Silva Ranger 515
This Silva Ranger 515 Compass has all the recommended features including clinometer, sighting mirror and also includes map magnifier and a classic bezel.
It also includes a screwdriver to set declination. Weight of this Compass is about 2.4 oz and measures about 4X2.5”.
This compass also has silicon feet that help to prevent it from sliding on the map. Roamer Scale is graduated for 1:50,000 and 1:25,000 scales of maps.
[su_row]
[su_column size=”1/2″ ]
[su_box title=”What We Like” box_color=”#31b92a” title_color=”#ffffff”]
- It is easy to adjust for magnetic declination.
- Mirror with etched sighting line for an accurate reading
[/su_box]
[/su_column]
[su_column size=”1/2″ ]
[su_box title=”What We Didn’t Like” box_color=”#e81414″ title_color=”#ffffff”]
- Even though it has luminous points you need to use a headlamp to use this at Night
- Not a global compass, suitable for the US
[/su_box]
[/su_column]
[/su_row]
- DryFlex Rubber grip for easy handling of the compass/great grip
- Built in adjuster for magnetic declination based on location
- Mirror sighting with sighting hole for determining direction over long distances
- Slope card for measuring slope and extra distance
- Magnifying lens for precision map work
#7. Suunto M-9 Wrist Compass
Suunto M-9 Wrist Compass is as the name suggests a handy and reliable wrist compass for navigating easily.
It uses Suunto’s well known two-zone system for a highly accurate reading.
This compass is designed for maximum usability by keeping your hands free.
Weight of this Compass id about 1.28 oz and measures about a 7.1 X 3.6 X 1 inch.
This also features a side window for taking bearing and highly useful feature ratchet mechanism helps you with setting directions.
[su_row]
[su_column size=”1/2″ ]
[su_box title=”What We Like” box_color=”#31b92a” title_color=”#ffffff”]
- Water resistant
- Can be read from top or side.
- Helps you keep hands free for other things.
[/su_box]
[/su_column]
[su_column size=”1/2″ ]
[su_box title=”What We Didn’t Like” box_color=”#e81414″ title_color=”#ffffff”]
- Compass declination can’t be set.
- Doesn’t glow in the dark.
- You need to keep it on a level to get an accurate reading.
[/su_box]
[/su_column]
[/su_row]
- Wrist Compass: Suunto attachable compasses are particularly handy, when both hands are needed to get past the next challenge; Comes with a velcro wrist strap and is operable in low light with luminescent card
- Rugged Construction: Built to last, the M-9 is a handy and reliable sighting compass for accurate navigation in town or country; It is also waterproof and balanced for the Northern Hemisphere
- Stay On Course: Made in Finland, Suunto mechanical compasses help you safely and accurately navigate the great outdoors; Great for Alpine skiing, hiking, trekking, mountain biking, trail running and more
- Pioneering Exploration: Combining advanced engineering and thoughtful design with ultra durable materials, our adventure ready compasses are fast, stable, and simple to use; No batteries required
- Authentic Heritage: Founded in 1936, Suunto brings over 80 years of high quality heritage craftsmanship, relentless accuracy, and pioneering innovation to our watches, compasses, and dive products
#8. Ueasy Prismatic Sighting Compass
Ueasy compass is made up of aluminum alloy and is capable of working under extreme weather conditions.
Apart from being waterproof, this compass has oil liquid-filled capsule with floating dial that makes compass rotating more flexible and damping oil enhance the stability of the pointer.
Weight of this Compass is about 2.4 oz and measures about 2.56X2.9X1.02”.
Roamer Scale is graduated for 1:24,000 and 1:50,000 scales of maps.
[su_row]
[su_column size=”1/2″ ]
[su_box title=”What We Like” box_color=”#31b92a” title_color=”#ffffff”]
- It is waterproof and shakeproof.
- Convenient night viewing with the luminous display.
- High accuracy.
[/su_box]
[/su_column]
[su_column size=”1/2″ ]
[su_box title=”What We Didn’t Like” box_color=”#e81414″ title_color=”#ffffff”]
- Compass declination can’t be set.
[/su_box]
[/su_column]
[/su_row]
- ★ 【Heavy-duty & Sturdy & Waterproof & Shakeproof】 - Made of Aluminum Alloy, can be capable of working under extreme weather condition. Ueasy compass is waterproof and shakeproof, so Suitable for all the outdoor activities, motoring, boating, camping, mountaineering, exploring, hunting, etc.
- ★ 【High Accuracy and stability】 - High damping oil liquid-filled capsule with floating dial. Compass rotates very flexibly and the damping oil enhance pointer stability. Built-in a bubble level, which can improve its accuracy and decrease its errors.
- ★ 【Special Design of Fluorescent Light】 - You still can use it and read data on it in dark environment after absorbing enough sunshine.
- ★ 【Multifunctional】 - (1) Compass. (2)Sighting telescope for accurate positioning. (3)Inches ruler (centimeters ruler on the other side) and measuring wheel allow you to measure both straight and curve distance on the map. (4)Conversion chart on back plate for angle, gradient & distance.
- ★ 【Money Back Guarantee】 - All our products have been covered with LIFETIME WARRANTY plus 30-day MONEY BACK GRARANTEE.
Also read – Best first aid kit for hiking
#9. GWHOLE Lensatic Sighting Compass
Gwhole Lensatic sighting compass is made of high strength metal body with the capacity of working under extreme.
Moreover, It has a light that helps to read in dark environment after absorbing the sunlight.
This compass also has an adjustable diopter sighting lens, screw hole to attach tripod, folding thumb ring and rulers on sides to measure in inches and centimeters.
Weight of this Compass is about 2.4 oz and measures about 2.75X2.8X1.12”.
Roamer Scale is graduated for 1:24,000 and 1:50,000 scales of maps.
[su_row]
[su_column size=”1/2″ ]
[su_box title=”What We Like” box_color=”#31b92a” title_color=”#ffffff”]
- Comes with 18-inch lanyard.
- Feature high accuracy built-in bubble level.
- The rugged construction of the compass.
[/su_box]
[/su_column]
[su_column size=”1/2″ ]
[su_box title=”What We Didn’t Like” box_color=”#e81414″ title_color=”#ffffff”]
- Compass declination can’t be set.
- Quite heavy for its size.
[/su_box]
[/su_column]
[/su_row]
- High strength engineering metal body, rugged and capable of working under extreme weather condition.
- Special design of fluorescent light, you can use it and read data on it in dark environment after absorbing enough sunshine.
- High accuracy, built-in a bubble level, which can improve its accuracy and decrease its errors.
- Waterproof and shakeproof, suitable for motoring, boating, camping, mountaineering, exploring, hunting and other outdoor activities
- Package includes:1x GWHOLE lensatic compass (with pouch & lanyard), 1x User Manual; 1 year warranty from GWHOLE
Also check – Best Hiking gloves
#10. Proster IP65 Compass
Proster IP65 compass is a made up of high strength material to help you measure heights and slopes.
Luminous compass card helps you view in dark after absorbing enough light.
It works in extreme temperatures ranging from as low as -20 degrees celcius to 50 plus temperatures.
The sighting glass has a vertical lubber line which helps you look at every degree with great precision.
Weight of this Compass is about 11.2 oz and measures about a 2 X 4 X 0.5 inch.
[su_row]
[su_column size=”1/2″ ]
[su_box title=”What We Like” box_color=”#31b92a” title_color=”#ffffff”]
- Adjustable prism lens
- Sighting window with sighting lines.
- Luminous magnet arrow.
- Foldable metal lid.
[/su_box]
[/su_column]
[su_column size=”1/2″ ]
[su_box title=”What We Didn’t Like” box_color=”#e81414″ title_color=”#ffffff”]
- Quite heavy.
- Compass declination can’t be set.
[/su_box]
[/su_column]
[/su_row]
- 【Compass and Inclinometer】This is a 330G Professional Metal Compass with Inclinometer Function That Measures Height and Slope.
- 【Sighting Optic Telescope】Allows You a Direct Read of Internal Compass Card Housed in the Fluid Flled Capsule; Vertical Lifting Line of the Scope (1° Resolution) Increases Accuracy.
- 【Fluorescent Design】The Luminous Magnetic Compass and Compass Card Allow you to Read Data in a Dark Environment After Absorbing Enough Sunlight, Convenient to Use at Night.
- 【Multi-Functional Flintstone】Magnesium Fire Starter, Large Scraper, Whistle and Lanyard, High-quality All-weather Starter with Wind and Weather Resistance, up to 15000 Ignitions.
- 【High-strength Engineering Metal】Work in Extreme Weather Conditions, Suitable for Camping Hiking Boating Exploration Hunting Geology and Other Outdoor Activities.
#11. Celestron 48004 TrekGuide Lite
Celestron 48004 trek guide lite is a digital compass that provides degree, north pointing arrow and cardinal point readings.
Also, have 1-16 graphical pointer adjustable magnetic declination angle for magnetic variation. In addition to that, it also has an altimeter to measure altitude and barometer to measure air pressure.
Weight of this Compass id about 1.28 oz and measures about a 2 X 4 X 0.5 inch. Other add-on features include time and date, Alarm clock and black light to use in the dark.
[su_row]
[su_column size=”1/2″ ]
[su_box title=”What We Like” box_color=”#31b92a” title_color=”#ffffff”]
- Multiple add-ons feature temperature, barometer, clock, calendar and Alarm.
- Comes with water-resistant nylon pouch.
- Water resistant.
- Backlit display.
[/su_box]
[/su_column]
[su_column size=”1/2″ ]
[su_box title=”What We Didn’t Like” box_color=”#e81414″ title_color=”#ffffff”]
- Works on battery.
- Difficult to set some functions.
- No on/off button to save battery.
[/su_box]
[/su_column]
[/su_row]
- A digital compass with headings and degrees
- This includes current date and time with alarm.
- This TrekGuide Lite is water resistant
- Includes batteries.
Check out – Best survival tool for hiking
Conclusion
If you are a newbie to navigating using Compass then you can use any of these following compasses as these compasses are relatively easy to use and have features that are easy to understand.
[su_list]
- SUUNTO A-30
- SE CC4580 Military Lensatic and Prismatic Sighting
[/su_list]
And if you have some experience with a compass and want to up your game of navigating and want to use many new features you can buy following compass for there multiple features.
[su_list]
- Silva Ranger 515
- Suunto MC-2G
[/su_list]
Leave a Reply