wonkywinch
Well-known member
A friend recently upgraded his Plastimo Iris hand bearing compass using just a tritium vial and a dremmel. I was so impressed, I copied him.
You'll need a tritium vial (eg Flat Tritium Vial 1.5x3.0x9.0mm (Green) Trigalight - Tritium Vials - Store | Twisted Assisted) and your Iris (or similar) compass. The back pops off and a small slot carved into the backing plate, a vial of glowing stuff popped in with a dab of superglue and this is the effect. No more charging my compass up from a torch prior to use.
Standard compass about £50-60, a vial, £10 plus P&P, or a pre made tritium one, £140 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Firefly-Navigator-Tritium-Prismatic-Compass/dp/B07GZLR6YY).
To be fair, the Amazon one has more than one vial to illuminate the compass rose but for sailing, I only need the lubber line lit.
Excuse picture quality, taken with phone in very dark environment..
You'll need a tritium vial (eg Flat Tritium Vial 1.5x3.0x9.0mm (Green) Trigalight - Tritium Vials - Store | Twisted Assisted) and your Iris (or similar) compass. The back pops off and a small slot carved into the backing plate, a vial of glowing stuff popped in with a dab of superglue and this is the effect. No more charging my compass up from a torch prior to use.
Standard compass about £50-60, a vial, £10 plus P&P, or a pre made tritium one, £140 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Firefly-Navigator-Tritium-Prismatic-Compass/dp/B07GZLR6YY).
To be fair, the Amazon one has more than one vial to illuminate the compass rose but for sailing, I only need the lubber line lit.
Excuse picture quality, taken with phone in very dark environment..
