Old-fashioned mounted compass?

[DesertRose]

The failure of our GPS unit during the Trophy event last weekend reminded me that we need a good backup compass to help us navigate in the event of tech failure. I had a hand-held hiking compass in my emergency kit, but a dash- or other-location- mounted compass would be great.

Any input?

Here's a Brunton Rough Vehicle Compass
Model 58CE

Pretty affordable at $43

 

[Jonathan Hanson]

There's something about a traditional analog compass that just feels right, and they really are easier to read quickly.

 

[desertgirl66]

Sometimes, the technology gets to me! Good old fashioned maps and compasses will get you down the mountain--and that is mandatory

Oh yeah, don't forget a flashlight and pocketknife!

 

[goodtimes]

I forget who I was talking to during the trophy....but I my GPS (Garmin e-Trex Vista) has been known to lie.

A year or two ago I was headed up to the Hualapai's (sp?) for a trip with a good sized group of friends. On the way up, Chuck and myself (along with Wolfsoul as a passenger in my jeep) were headed across the desert (on a road.....duh) on a cool, clear desert morning. Everything is great...until I look at my GPS.

Now, realize that I generally run with the display set in "track up", and reference heading at the bottom of the screen (easier for my mind to navigate this way). Well, the arrow indicating our location on the map is pointed down (which should not happen when running "track up", but will happen when headed south while the GPS display is "north up")...odd I think...we should be heading North....did switch to "North up"? Check the heading....and yup...sure as s#!t, it says were headed south. I turn to Brian (Wolfsoul) to make sure I am not completely screwed up....as I am about to open my mouth, it dawns on me that I can see the sunrise through the passenger window....light bulb goes on....we HAVE to be heading north if the sun is rising to my right...but the GPS tells me a different story....the GPS lied to me!

The moral of the story? Electronics make navigation easy, but electronics are not fool proof (fools are too ingenious). Having paper maps and a magnetic compass is always a good idea. Oh, knowing how to use them is good too.

 

[GeoRoss]

I don't know about a compass made for a vehicle, but any ferrous metal near the compass will effect the precision of my bruntons by has much as thirty degrees. A pen with metal can visable deflect it.

I guess if all you are after is N-S-E-W kind of stuff I guess they are ok.

Ross

 

[flywgn]

Jonathan, I agree. There's something to be said for traditional equipment and charts. I still carry charts/maps and, occasionally, a sextant.

Although the truck came with one of those NSEW indicators, I like to know the 'point' so I have a compass mounted and properly 'swung' to make up for deviation that nearby metals cause. I carry a hand compass in our survival kit as well.

None of these items take up much room and they provide me with a comfort level that I like.

Allen R

 

[kcowyo]

A sextant? Wow, haven't seen one of those used in awhile!

In Stephen Callahan's book, Adrift, he spends 70+ days in a rubber raft after his sailboat goes down. He was able to make a sextant out of 3 pencils and some rubber bands and used it to get an idea of how far he'd drifted and roughly where he was. Pretty cool trick!

I wouldn't use a hard mounted compass for reasons similar to what Ross stated, but I have 2 or 3 handhelds I keep with my gear. If I find out I'm not exactly where I'm supposed to be, I don't consider myself lost, I'm just taking the more scenic route!

And as a longtime map geek, I prefer having my maps sprawled out so I can get a bigger picture of the area, as opposed to a GPS. I haven't experienced any technical difficulties with my GPS (other than operator error), I just prefer maps and a compass. Admittedly, I'm slower to accept technological advances than some folks.

 

[DaktariEd]

I still carry topo and other maps with me and keep a hand compass in my kit if needed. The accuracy of the GPS is great, but taken with a grain of salt...the brain (mine) always has to be switched on to avoid big boo-boos.
I like to take the GPS coordinates and cross reference to the map.

 

[whitethaiger]

I don't know about a compass made for a vehicle, but any ferrous metal near the compass will effect the precision of my bruntons by has much as thirty degrees. A pen with metal can visable deflect it.

I guess if all you are after is N-S-E-W kind of stuff I guess they are ok.

Ross

A compass mounted in a vehicle with lots of "magnetic interference" needs to be calibrated. The type of compass designed for vehicles (like the one mentioned by Roseann) have compensators and can be adjusted.

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

Very Nice choice of a compass! I like it!


I tried mounting a compass to my windshield.

I had so much electronic interference that I could not use it.

When I would open and close my door.....this would even make the compass move back and forth....the electronic side mirrors? I'm not sure how I could calibrate a compass in my situation when it seems to be constantly changing.

So I gave up on a mounted compass. I keep more than one compass in my truck (just in case) and step outside when I want an exact reading. I even keep a small hikers compass pined inside my jacket.....in case I have to take the long walk.

.....

and! A wet finger held up to the wind properly can work wonders!.....:shakin:

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

Now you got me all interested in compass's again.

I started looking around today and found this interesting one. Why Not?!!

A Kayaker's Kompass!

Waterproof......Rugged......."CourseMinder movable bezel with heading memory indicator remembers the way".


Kayaker Compass...............

 

[tdesanto]

For a compass mounted in the vehicle, you'll likely need one that can be calibrated for use inside the vehicle. It could experience magnetic "interference" from other devices or EM fields.

I used to have one that could be calibrated; however, I found that generally you had to compromise to get a decent reading, which sacraficed accuracy.

I found that using a hand held and stepping outside and away from the vehicle provided the most accurate readings. I used the one inside for just general guidance, but didn't rely on it for complete accuracy.