Hand Bearing Compass

[Hurricane]

Can anyone recommend a good Hand Bearing Compass.
I've been using one of the flat pocket plastimo ones for years but I thought I'd treat myself to a bigger and nicer job.

 

[BrendanS]

my personal favourite

http://www.silva.se/outdoor/products/comp_rang15.htm

 

[tazzle]

I've got the Plastimo Iris 50 - just good value for under £30.

If I had wanted to spend a bit more, it would have been the Axium II with light:

 

[Superflid]

Had the Axium for Xmas, not used in anger yet but seems to be a well-built piece of kit.

 

[Malcb]

I used to use that type of Silva compass for years. I found the big draw back was that it needed two hands to operate it. One to hold the compass and one to turn the bezel until the needle lined up with the arrow in the base plate. Easy on land, but not always easy on a moving deck.

I now use a Silva Type 4 (forerunner of the 'Expedition 54' for land navigation. Can be used one handed, and in operation is similar to the Plastimo Iris, but the numbers are smaller, and IMO the Plastimo, which I use on board, is easier to read in a moving boat situation.

I would like to look at the Silva Voyager 8040, as that seems to have the benefits of a mirror system, which is probably easier to read without shutting one eye, plus the advantage of single handed operation. Also the Silva base plate protractor system is useful for a quick plot on small charts or chartlets.

 

[Solitaire]

[ QUOTE ]
Had the Axium for Xmas, not used in anger yet but seems to be a well-built piece of kit.

[/ QUOTE ]

It is a great piece of kit! I used to use an Iris but the Axium II is far better and the light is great for night work. As an instructor, mine gets far more use than the average and it is robust and easy to use both as to the eye and steering compass if required.

 

[Superflid]

Thanks Solitaire, it's nice to get a professional endorsement.
Hope to be using it soon, 18 months of refitting my old heap is actually getting somewhere!

 

[smileygirl]

buy binoculars with built in compass - much easier to identify bouys and stuff. Compass do a reasonable pair for @ £90