Handbearing Compass - Which one?

[carl170]

I am looking to buy a handbearing compass and have sort of narrowed it down to two. The first is the Plastimo iris 50 and the second is the Axium 2 (with a built in light).

Does anyone have any experience of either of these?

Thanks (as usual!) for any info.

Carl

PS has anyone read Desperate voyage by John Caldwell? What an inspiring book!

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[Moose]

My Iris 50 is pretty good even when it is being bounced around on the flybridge. Prices seem to vary a great deal between £25 and £50! I paid £25 for mine in Port Solent.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.phantom37.co.uk>http://www.phantom37.co.uk</A>
Moose

 

[Anonymous]

I bought the Axium with betalight in Jan 2000 at the Boat Show and it failed in 2002. I (eventually) found the contact details of the manufacturers in France (a very pleasant English lady runs the customer serv. dept) and they gave me a new one after I had sent the defective one. I did keep the receipt and they do state 5 years warranty.

I keep a hand bearing compass round my neck most of the time at sea. As for usage the Axium is great, just like the first Axium I used in the 1970s. The beta light works very well indeed.

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[alahol2]

No experience of either of these but a word of warning. If they are the type that you hold close to the eye, and you wear glasses, check that the frames don't deviate the compass. I've had to change to an 'old fashioned', arms length HB compass to get proper readings.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.troppo.co.uk> Follow the Tightwad Sailor</A>

 

[William_H]

Have a look in a Diving equipment shop. I have a Suunto from Finland some years old which is really excellent for rough sites goes on a wrist strap and of course quite rugged waterproof too. regards will

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[ccscott49]

I have a big old sestrel bronze and wood handle 0one, which I swear by, had one for 30 years, (not the same one!!)

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[Guest]

Nothing against the two you mention ....

Just idle comments .... I looked at a lot of HBC's and had a difficult time deciding which ..... plumped for the Suunto Commander finally. Why ? Because it served dual purpose and was easily readable, with locking card when taking bearings. I have it mounted on the forward main cabin bulkhead where I can see it when in bed etc., making the fry-up, easl;yu accessible when required which to be honest is rare !!

All in all it has lasted me over 8 years and is still as good as the day I bought it.


<hr width=100% size=1>Cheers Nigel ..... <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.geocities.com/solentlifeuk/>http://www.geocities.com/solentlifeuk/</A>

 

[gandy]

I bought an Iris 50. Seems fine so far, but I was surprised that it doesn't quite float. It looks like it should.

Tony S

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[Evadne]

I use an iris 50. They are easy to use and quick to settle, but then I don't wear magnetically framed glasses. They don't float but they do bounce.
PS if you want to read a really desperate voyage book, try Alain Bombard, I think it's called "The Bombard Project". Takes "Nutty French" to new heights.

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[flyingjunior]

I use an irus 50 as well dead easy and have no probs with it interferring with my specs.
(didnt know they didnt float though havent tried yet)

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[tonyran]

Iris 50 is excellent but..................have you thought of the Compas binocs with built in compass for 99 quid? I dont use the iris 50\much any more. This is my first post on this site so sorry if I cock it up. (Didnt Desperate Voyage end with a shipwreck - some inspiration!)

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