Welcome to the NavList Message Boards.

NavList:

A Community Devoted to the Preservation and Practice of Celestial Navigation and Other Methods of Traditional Wayfinding

Compose Your Message

Message:αβγ
Message:abc
Add Images & Files
    Name or NavList Code:
    Email:
       
    Reply
    Re: Lensatic vs. backpacking compasses
    From: Robert Eno
    Date: 2013 May 27, 20:00 -0400
    
    I agree with Paul. I have been using the venerable Silva Ranger 15 compass for over 30 years. It is one of THE best backpacking compass out there.  It is easy to use, has a built-in adjustment to "zero" out the declination (variation in seaman's parlance) and has nice little glow-in-the-dark lines and dots that allows you to navigate at night. And it can be used in conjunction with a topographic map.
     
    Regrettably, the line sold in the USA and Canada is no longer made in Sweden but in......three guesses.  This all has to do with a falling out between the parent company in Sweden and the firm that now has the North American rights to the name and brand. While I have not used one of made-in-Asia models, the hundreds of reviews that I have read on them are not favourable.
     
    The Silva Compasses sold in Europe are still made in Sweden but they no longer make the compass dial out of aluminum as they did with the older models. Probably not a big deal but I like the look and feel of the older models that made use of aluminum for the dial and locking ring. 
     
    My old Silva quadrant compass (instead of 0 to 359, it was divided up into 0 - 90 x 4 quadrants) has served me well for decades and still works fine. It even has a clinometer, although to be honest, I have never had cause to use it.
     
    As for accuracy, I believe the Silva Ranger is very accurate, though with the compass dial divided into 2 degree increments, not particularly precise. But when you are on foot, this is not a big issue.
     
    My vote is with the Made-in-Sweden) Silva Ranger 15T backpacking compass.
     
    Robert 
     
     
    ----- Original Message -----
    Sent: Monday, May 27, 2013 4:40 PM
    Subject: [NavList] Re: Lensatic vs. backpacking compasses


    I’ve always liked the mirror-type backpacking compass, modified with a dot on the pivot axis. It’s easy to line up the dot with the line on the mirror and with the image of your target, and you can do so within about a degree. The mirror also allows you to read the bearing while you are lined up with the target.

     

    Once you do that, the transparent base allows you to quickly draw the plot line on the map.

     

    Paul Dolkas

     

    From: NavList@fer3.com [mailto:NavList@fer3.com] On Behalf Of John H
    Sent: Sunday, May 26, 2013 12:53 PM
    To: paul{at}dolkas.net
    Subject: [NavList] Lensatic vs. backpacking compasses

     


    Last fall I asked about the accuracy of hand-held compasses.   I forget who put me on to it, but I purchased a lensatic compass based on recommendations.

     

    Yesterday, I took it out on an orienteering race.    While I *think* it's more accurate than the standard clear-base-plate backpacking compass, it's slower to use.    

     

    I found it took longer to take sights, and getting bearings from the map definitely takes a longer time.   The back-packer compass allows you to take bearings without having to align the map.  Also, a couple of times, the disk of the compass partially froze up on me.    

     

    For the accuracy of orienteering, I'd go with the backpacker compass, as it seems to be faster and easier to use.   I do agree that the lensatics have a betting accuracy.    

     

    This is just a recitation of my experience.   Maybe with more time with a lensatic, I can use it more rapidly.   

     

    : http://fer3.com/arc/m2.aspx?i=124159

    Attached File:


    : http://fer3.com/arc/m2.aspx?i=124168



    __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 8377 (20130526) __________

    The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.

    http://www.eset.com
       
    Reply
    Browse Files

    Drop Files

    NavList

    What is NavList?

    Get a NavList ID Code

    Name:
    (please, no nicknames or handles)
    Email:
    Do you want to receive all group messages by email?
    Yes No

    A NavList ID Code guarantees your identity in NavList posts and allows faster posting of messages.

    Retrieve a NavList ID Code

    Enter the email address associated with your NavList messages. Your NavList code will be emailed to you immediately.
    Email:

    Email Settings

    NavList ID Code:

    Custom Index

    Subject:
    Author:
    Start date: (yyyymm dd)
    End date: (yyyymm dd)

    Visit this site
    Visit this site
    Visit this site
    Visit this site
    Visit this site
    Visit this site