Hand held Bearing compass

[GrowingLad]

Hi guys,

I'm looking at buying a hand help bearing compass and would like your views on the following:

I've used this one before :

http://www.mailspeedmarine.com/hand-bearing-compasses/commander-compass667691.bhtml

I liked the fact that once you've got your target in site you push the button and it's locked the compass from spinning.....But it's a bit priccy.

I quite like the look of this one

http://www.mailspeedmarine.com/hand-bearing-compasses/iris-50-hand-bearing-compass01.bhtml

But I'm not sure if it has the same locking function...but price seems a bit more closer to what I want to pay.

If anyone could share their views I'd appreciate it.

Thanks,
Simon.

 

[Evadne]

I've been using the Iris 50 for over 15 years, it's a good little compass. As a recent convert to GPS I've used it for real navigation quite a lot.
The Suunto looks like an "arms length" one, I've found people like one and can't get on with the other so only you will know if you like it.
Only trouble I've had with the Iris is if you wear a magnetic watch (or glasses).

 

[webcraft]

Another vote for the Iris.

However, I rarely use it now - I prefer to use a pair of bins with built in compass. In particular, I find this much handier for taking bearings on ships' lights at night.

- W

 

[michael_w]

Another vote for the Iris. Often, it's useful to watch the bearing change; something that's difficult with the point and squirt sort.

 

[Malish]

I prefer the Vion Axium to the Iris, better damping and overall design & construction

 

[Dyflin]

Another vote for the Iris, does exactly what it says on the tin.

 

[seumask]

It might be worth considering the digital compasses you can get for walking, they often have a memory and can do around 20 sightings. Very usefull for assessing collision etc.
Sorry no link but google will help. Avaliable from £20 IIRC.

 

[Dipper]

I fitted a Suunto Commander to my first boat - a Hurley 22. I didn't want to drill a big hole and the Commander suited the sloping bulkhead. It's a good compromise compass and could serve as an emergency steering compass as a backup to the main compass. The graduations are only every 5 degrees so it is not as accurate as the Iris (which I currently have as a hand bearing compass). Also it takes some practice to lock the card without altering the bearing. One advantage is that it can be removed for safe storage.

I'd recommend you get the Iris or Axium but the Commander is an excellent choice for a small boat or day sailer.

 

[Angele]

The Iris gets my vote too, although I have to say I rarely use it (thanks to GPS/chartplotter it is superfluous) but it is always there as a back up.

No ability to freeze the reading like your Suunto one but, if you have another crew member who will write down the reading whilst you call it out, can't see that as a disadvantage.

 

[Norman_E]

I have both the Iris 50 and a Vion Axium on the boat. Of the two I slightly prefer the latter but a new one is much more expensive than the Iris 50. One big advantage of either over the Suunto is that you can keep them handy by hanging them round your neck. The Suunto you need to put down somewhere.

 

[GrowingLad]

Hi Guys,

I must admit, although I liked the fact that the Suunto locked when you pressed the button I did find that when you've got your arm outstretched trying to line up if there was a bit of rocking it made things a little more difficult.

I quite like the fact that the Iris looks pretty rugged and less chance of breaking it /dropping it compared to the Sunnto, plus by the positive posts it's a good bit of kit.

Thanks for your opinions,

Simon

 

[peterb2]

Hand bearing-compasses

I use my hbc as a secondary standard when correcting my steering compass, so check its accuracy at the start of each year. I used to use an Iris 50, which had a constant 0.5 degree error. Then someone dropped it down the companionway, a 7ft drop onto a hard surface; I couldn't do a quick check so bought an Axiom ready for the next year.

When I did my yearly check, though, the Iris still had the same 0.5 degree error, which must say something about its ruggedness. The Axiom had a maximum error of 0.25 degrees, but changed from positive to negative and back in a sinewave as it was turned. As it's easier to deal with a constant error than a variable one, I'm back to using the Iris.