Compass
 

I am looking at compasses for personal carry and while on drill.

Right now I like the Silva 360 lensatic.

Any opinions about this or others will be apprectiated. Please be specific about the compass you use and or would recommend.

This compass will be used for military land nav. I carry a small Silva 1-2-3 for basic orientation.

If it doesn't have tritium, it will become a real pain during night land nav.

Silva Ranger.

And you can use it while shaving.

TR

Agree.

Still have mine....

TS

Is one model Ranger preferred over the other?

http://www.silvacompass.com/products.html

Thankyou very much for the replies-

Bought mine in '88...and it (the same one) is still my preferred :lifter

As far as which one...there only used to be one :eek:

Eagle

Theres three now: Ranger Ultra 530, Ranger 515 CL and 515 CLQ-

Thanks

I went and had a look see.

The only difference I see between the 530 and the 515CLQ is the 530 has a "split sighting mirror, 1/20-inch and millimeter rules for mapping and silicone feet for map gripping"

I'd like to see the "split sighting mirror" on the 530.

The 515CLQ or the 530 will do just fine.

TS

Takes a hard man to shave on the move.

Yeah, but you know always where you are going. :D

Didn't want to say that you could use it to shave with, but the big mirror sure is handy.

TR

I was a little more minimalistic in my compass use. I just learned that way, and I preferred keeping my hands empty, so that I could hold a walking stick, or my weapon.

I used a Tekna wrist compass, and later, one made by some other company that I cannot remember now. That is all that I used. I had a military-issue compass on my web gear, and sometimes I hung it around my neck, and stuffed the compass into a chest pocket....or tied it off on my belt, and stuffed the compass into a chest pocket....but I got to a point where I pretty much used just the wrist compass, and my map.

My feeling is, only someone who wants to suffer the most twisted fate that Murphy can devise goes to the woods with just one compass. Always have a backup. Always.

Needless to say, this way of working with a compass means that you are terrain associating, not merely walking distance and pace count.

I guess that one reason why I preferred working this way is because it helped free me from focusing on the compass. It helped me learn to keep my head up, which is always a good thing in the woods, and it helped me really LOOK at the terrain, and really see it.

With time, I learned to move with just the map in my hand, (in a plastic bag and tied down to my body, of course), folded to just the "lane" that I was working in, with left and right boundaries and a limit of advance. After I got practiced, developed a feel for the terrain, and felt synchronized and confident in my map recon, I put the map away entirely, and just remembered my general direction of travel, and the terrain features that I would be using to remain oriented.

As I hit significant points, or took a water break, I would break the map out and confirm location, recon my route ahead, and then put it away again.

Over time, it got to a point where I was able to walk through the woods for extended distances only occasionally consulting my wrist compass.

Troy Trek really, really refined my skills. I loved that freakin' event. It was one of the coolest things that I ever did in the military.

I wish that I could go back and run it again.

:)

Damn, I have been away a long time. When I got out, I took my issue compass with me and used it until it was stolen somewhere in the 70's. I checked the website and read your posts, those are fantastic. Catch up time, aaaaagain.

I agree wholeheartedly, Magician. I really enjoyed Trek (we did it at Ft. A.P. Hill), but not only for the navigation; I liked spending several days alone relying solely on my own abilities to get around in the woods. Well, except for that one 14km leg on Day 1.

I really liked being solo, too, brother.

I covered some serious distance....but I ate some great chow, built some awesome fires out in the middle of nowhere, slept my ass off, and really....just enjoyed the wilderness. It was delightful being solo out there.

I could have killed myself and completed the course a lot faster....but what would have been fun about that? I will not say that I took my time...but I did not murder myself, and when I finished the course, I was in good shape. I could have sustained that pace of cross-country movement for many, many more days.

My classmates....they ALL humped like their hair was on fire. And they were all limping around Mackall afterwards, in real bad shape, all beat up, feet banged up, smoked.

I learned something from that. I was mission-capable. They were not.

Hmmm.

But there was just something....about busting brush by moonlight through the thick shit....and walking right up on a point in the middle of the night. After getting my next point....pulling off a couple of clicks along my line of march into low ground, and taking it easy.

It remains one of the high points of my military life.

What a privilege to go and do that course.

:)

Silva Ranger: Can't go wrong with it. Mirror can be used for emergency signal mirror or shaving.

The issue compass is good to have as well! I still have mine. :munchin

OK, where does one purchase the Ranger Ultra 530. Tried the website, got the run-around.

My son is headin ta the 'Stan inacuppola months, want him to have the best.

Thanx.

Toby

Definately the Silva ranger. and a small evasion compass

I found this on the net. It is in no way an endorsement as I have not dealt with this company.

(http://store.yahoo.com/fulfillmentad...compasses.html)

I emailed Silva and they say they do not sell direct. They instruct to call 800.572.8822 direct for assistance in finding a dealer closest to your pos.

Thanks all for the input-

And thank you for the link!!!

'Preciate it!!!!

Toby,

What I do is a "Froogle" search. Here's a link.

http://www.google.com/froogle?q=Rang...Search+Froogle

You can compare companies and prices!

Hope that helped!

TS

Anyone heard of "Suunto"???

Looks kinda like a Silva Knock off, for 1/3 of the price.

Thnax in advance!!

Toby

Check out this thread on LF http://lightfighter.net/eve/ubb.x/a/...71/m/657109606

If you go ahead and get one, please post your thoughts after using it. I'm going to be buying something soon and would appreciate the input.

http://www.freshtracksmaps.com/compasses.htm

has Silva Ranger 530 and 515CL

i use a Brunton Com-Pro Pocket Transit...i also have a Silva Ranger for back-up, along with a Garmin e-Trek...the Brunton Eclipse looks good...i might have to have one of those...of course, the 8099 Pro looks pretty good...

for strictly navigational and recreational purposes, a good lensatic compass, preferably a military lensatic compass, is hard to beat...

http://www.brunton.com/catalog.php?cat=4

BTW, i'm starting a new job Monday and these are my new toys...
http://www.trimble.com/trimbler8.shtml

http://www.trimble.com/trimbleS6.shtml
:D

Is there a reason that everyone likes the Silva Ranger over the less expensive models?

Besides the extra scales mm/inch 1:25k and 1:50k, are there any other advantages to getting the $55 Ranger over the $10-20 Field/Expedition models (both from Silva)?

Here's an Expedition: http://www.silva.se/outdoor/products/img/com_exp25.jpg

The mirror-sighting compass with "all" the features required by professional users such as geologists, engineers, defense forces etc. Direct access battery illumination and a bubble level for accurate horizontal adjustment. Clinometer and declination adjuster.


Silva Field: http://www.silva.se/outdoor/products...om_field26.jpg

This series is created to meet the demands from Boy Scouts/youth organizations, hikers to use on shorter day trips and schools. Patented red/black north/south lines in the capsule (Field 7 and 26) and a north indicator on the compass needle are standard on the Field series.

The Field is pretty small.

I like the Ranger best, have a lot of field time with it, and figure that $55 is a lot cheaper than dragging a dozen of your buddies around trying to figure out where you are in Indian country, whilst being shot at, bombed, bleeding, etc.

You set your own values. You might review NDD's posts on equipment in the Training the Mind thread.

TR

Roger that. Thanks again TR.

Im comfortable with the lensatic compass that I get issued for land nav. Why on earth the degree marks are in red is beyond me. Night nav is not one of my strong points yet.

I will be buying the Silva Ranger (52.00 at Gander Mountian) this weekend upon the recommendation of the previous posters.

Ive carried a silva 1-2-3 as a backup for years-

http://www.backcountry.com/store/SUN...l-Compass.html

I am a big fan of this one. I got issued one of these while doing an advanced land nav course last yeat and it is awsome. You can probably find it for less on another site but I was just trying to find an example.

SFC W

I have it too, but 2 years ago, don't know how, the plastic partially melted during summer!! ! !

http://www.brunton.com/product.php?id=87
That's the one I carry all time, except it is in mils. It is more in the field than home. Well, almost.

There is also the issued artillery prismatic compass, which is very accurate (20 mils), easy to aim, tritium illuminated.
But you don't have the same feeling as a silva style compass.
And the bearing is only in magnetic, so if you want to use it for nav you have to do the maths.
It is awesome at night though.

There are pictures of the said prismatic compass...

When Suunto claims this is the compass issued to "miltiary special forces" are they referring to US Special Operation Forces?

I like the luminous bezel for night nav but I suppose when I get proficient at it I wouldnt need it? I can see how it would be useful especially if it is tritium-

Probably Finland SF.

while it was never issued, it was available for sale at the Special Forces bookstore up on Smoke Bomb Hill...i bought one as a back-up before i started Phase I...being in Uwharrie with a busted compass was not a good thing...

proficiency has nothing to do with night vision...

Is it tritium? I've found the word "luminous" used to connote different things, sometimes more properly called flourescent or phosphorescent.

Bug juice probably did that.

:)

Exactly.

That stuff would melt all plastic except for the bottle it came in.

TR

as long as it's not a carcenogin...okay, as long as it isn't an acute-onset, die-next-week carcenogin...

it never really worked on bugs, but it was good to mark LZ/DZ with, when mixed with a little C-Rat peanut butter...

and it was an excellent cleaning solvent...

"it never really worked on bugs, but it was good to mark LZ/DZ with, when mixed with a little C-Rat peanut butter..."

??? I need splainin'

Also, the question above still stands. Anyone know if the illumination is, in fact, tritium? I need to get a compass and this is one under consideration.

TIA

once upon a time, military rations came in cans...peanut butter came in a can about two inches in diameter, maybe half an inch thick...it is a decent burning medium, but needs something to get it lit...bug juice burns readily...now, to mark a drop zone for a night drop (and there was a time when the only jumps we made were night combat equipment jumps, as it should be), one needed something that could be seen from the air...a field expedient method (since bonfires are not clandestine and a small fire isn't guaranteed to be contained) was either to add bug juice to the peanut butter in the PB's original container, or to put some peanut butter in a larger can, say a Pecan Nut Loaf can and light it at the points on the day-letter code in order to allow the pilot/navigator to both authenticate the drop zone and to define a release point...

i checked the website...it used the term luminous...i doubt that tritium is involved...i could be wrong, but i doubt it...

Thanks! I'd almost figured it out, but was missing a piece or two.

I looked at the site, too, and noted the absence of the word tritium. So, am guessing it's simply glow in the dark paint. Tecnically this is NOT luminous, but the word is so regularly misused, it's probably unreasonable to expect that it be used properly. There is, apparently, a Suunto w/ the right features that is tritium, it's described in the LightFighter thread referenced above, and is probably what I'll get.

Thanks again.

"If" was the key word. Id bet money its not tritium.

Cammenga is selling military lensatics with tritium for almost a c-note at

www.cammenga.com

I also found a couple of Silvas on the web that have tritium but I havent been able to locate them on the current Silva site.

The Silva Ranger Ultra 530 has "luminous points" but I havent been able to determine if the are tritium or not. A call to Silva on monday should confirm that.

The Silva Ranger comes highly recommended by senior members here.

The Silvas pictured below are the Expidition 4 and the 54/6400B-