Most Accurate Compass
Melissa Hassel
I have been designing a compass device to be mounted on a boat, and the problem I had with my previous attempts was that the boat 'heels over', and that angle of heeling messed up with the compass readings.
Any old-fashioned mechanical compass is probably going to out-perform any normal MEMS
magnetometer module I'm afraid, the price you pay for the miniaturization is noise,
inaccuracy, and calibration headaches! Most PCBs are covered in small bits of steel
(SMT component end-caps), so placing a magnetometer on a PCB is problematic
from the get-go.
Boat compasses are designed to stay level as they are mounted on gimbals - the same
applies to an electronic compass on a boat, you'd need to mount it just the same for
reliable readings, or else use an IMU to correct the reading (which implies full 3D accurate
calibration of the MEMS magnetometer, not an easy task I fear).
Another issue that affects magnetic sensing these days is the number of devices containing
strong magnets - many have these just to hold a lid shut! The reading of a compass is thrown out
by a field on the order of 1 microtesla, strong modern magnets are 100,000 microtesla or more.
My biggest weakness as an orienteer, by far, is taking accurate compass bearings through thick, featureless forest. Unfortunately that isn't a skill we get the opportunity to practice a whole lot in the Bay Area. Much of our terrain consists of easy-to-read reentrant and spur features, and accurate compass work is not needed to navigate on such maps. In fact, I can think of several BAOC events in the last few years where people forgot their compass, ran the course without one, and didn't have a single problem.
This past summer, though, I ran on several maps where accurate compass work was essential to even complete the course. In particular, at the Western Canadian Championships in Alberta there were several completely flat areas of fairly dense, featureless forest, and to find your way from control to control, accurate compass bearings of 150 meters or more were essential. Burton Creek was like this to some extent (although that map had more recognizable detail between controls, so it was easier to readjust your bearing along the way), and the advanced courses at Big Basin this September required very accurate compass work most of the way as well (which is why it took me over three hours to complete the Blue course).
Hold your compass completely flat and keep it straight out in front of you. I've found that if you tilt your compass up toward you to look at it, the needle can stick a bit and throw your bearing off. Also, it's easier to see exactly where the direction arrow is pointing if you have the compass right in front of your face, rather than off to one side or the other.
In theory, taking precision bearings is an easy process. You just set the compass, pick some object in the distance that the direction arrow is pointing toward, and run to that object. Then repeat those steps as often as necessary. In dense forest, however, the trees in the distance will all appear identical, and when you look down and veer off to the side to avoid obstacles, you won't know precisely where to go when you look back up again. So it's important to alternate directions when you have to deviate from the straight-line path. If you do this, hopefully the corrections you make will cancel each other out and you will end up on your desired bearing. I discovered this summer that I am definitely "left-footed." That is, my natural tendency is to ALWAYS veer left to avoid obstacles, and as a result I am often WAY off to the left at the end of a long bearing. Now that I am aware of this, I am trying to force myself to go right half the time, but it's hard!
Of course, the best solution to the problem is to not have to rely on such accurate compass work in the first place! Given the choice between taking an accurate 150+ meter bearing straight to a control, or going out of the way somewhat to get to a closer attack point, I'll run the extra distance every time. But sometimes there's no choice - you just have to follow your compass and hope for the best. Good luck!
A reliable compass can be the difference between efficient backcountry travel and potential disaster. Through rigorous testing of dozens of compasses, the selections of this list have proven themselves as bonafide navigation tools fit during far-flung adventures.
It sports metric and imperial scales and is balanced for use in the Northern Hemisphere, with 2-degree increments. The adjustable declination orientation is smooth for easy adjustment but is firm enough to keep its orientation while you move.
A baseplate with a magnifying lens and glow-in-the-dark markings make it easy to use on a map, even in low light. And the detachable locking lanyard allows you to keep it handy and prevents drops while moving over rugged terrain. With optimal durability and functionality, the M-3 D Leader is the best compass on the market today.
Learning orienteering can be a daunting proposition to the uninitiated, and some of the more feature-rich compasses on this list can be intimidating for someone looking to learn to navigate without GPS devices. For beginners, we recommend a simple and inexpensive option on which you can learn the basics.
This orienteering compass from TurnOnSport ($12) has all the features needed for learning compass-and-map navigation without the restrictive cost of higher-end compasses. The durable acrylic baseplate sports an adjustable bearing, a compass ruler, a magnifying glass, and a 1:24,000 scale.
We love the matchbox design, which adds durability by not only protecting the compass from cracks and scratches when tumbling around in your pack or down a rock face but also by doing away with the weak point of the hinges that hold flip-top compasses together.
Additionally, the matchbox features a sighting mirror, which allows you to view the compass dial and the background at the same time, making it easier to take accurate bearings. If global excursions are in your future plans, the SUUNTO MB-6G might be the best compass for you.
The body of the compass is a whistle with a small compass on the top, a thermometer on the bottom, and a handy clip on the end. This compass is basic, but it will find magnetic north, allowing you to teach your kids how to figure out which direction is which if they get turned around.
For orienteers or other racers, running with a compass means attaching it to your thumb, where you can easily reference your direction with a map. GearJunkie founder Stephen Regenold uses this SUUNTO AIM-6 NH ($70) during his frequent orienteering and adventure races.
As with other compasses, you want a quick-damping needle to allow for fast reads. Light, powerful, and easy to read in low light, the AIM-6 NH (optimized for the northern hemisphere) is a strong choice for elite users.
A liquid-filled capsule provides stability for the needle, while the clinometer indicates incline and elevation within 2 degrees. The luminescent bezel, orientation markings, and direction of travel make it easier to read in low light, and the clear red direction arrow makes it easy to see your way when moving fast.
The GearJunkie team is composed of hunters, anglers, climbers, backpackers, and paddlers. When our adventures take us away from the beaten path, reliable compasses become an essential tool. And our founder, Stephen Regenold, is one of the top adventure racers in the country and an avid orienteer. As such, he uses map-and-compass navigation extensively during race scenarios and has experience with many compasses.
Sighting compasses have flip-up lenses that allow users to get bearings from a distant object like a nearby peak. Put simply, use the sight notch to identify your desired location, adjust the bezel to align with the needle to identify the direction you need to go to get there, and then follow the heading.
By definition, a compass will have a magnetic needle that always points to the magnetic north. Beyond that, compasses can sport a bevy of features, from liquid-filled needle casings and rotating bezels to whistles and thermometers (some are more useful than others), generally depending on the price range.
A magnetic needle that always points north is the most basic and essential feature of any compass. One of the more important features of a good compass is a quick but stable needle that finds north fast and consistently.
Besides the basic features mentioned above, these additional features can serve to make navigation easier or more accurate. They allow you to measure height and slope and to find north on any part of the globe.
In addition to the standard needle and rotating bezel, look for a cover with sighting wire and luminous lighting dots for evening navigation, a flip-up sighting slot and lens (or rear sight), and a thumb loop for stability while sighting your visual marker.
Although a good lensatic compass is great for finding bearings, we prefer one that also incorporates the features of a baseplate compass. Look for a compass that combines the two to give you several methods of finding your way.
To properly review these different compasses, I researched additional mapping and navigation skills to get the most out of each tool. I took several into the Colorado backcountry using compasses and maps to navigate in different terrains. I also used the compasses to try and make my way to nearby bodies of water like creeks.
The Suunto MC-2 is one of the most popular devices in the compass industry, and for a good reason. With a wide range of tools and uses, this all-in-one compass works for any need and any level of navigational skill. While on the pricier side, this should be the only compass you need to do it all. The MC-2 is also fairly simple for newcomers, from setting a declination to using the slopes to map out where avalanche dangers may exist and other issues.
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