Compass storage

[Spikepretorius]

Is there a right way to store a compass?

I seldom use my compass (I just go by the sun and the stars) but I like to keep it handy. Can I just leave it stashed in the truck? Does it lose it's magnetism if stored close to metal?

 

[DaveM]

Mariners usually store their compasses in lined wood boxes. I'd probably try to keep it stored away from too much heat or from any large magnets that may impart a pull to the compass case (if it's metal), only thing on a rig to worry about would be the speakers I'd guess.

 

[motodd]

It depends on if it is a liquid filled compass or a free floating needle. Free floating you usually want to store laying flat. The small liquid filled wont matter as much. As mentioned keep them away from metal and magnitics. I keep mine in my extra pair of Socks in my daybag (which goes where I go).

 

[Spikepretorius]

I've got one of each (liquid, non-liquid)
And most of the time they stay at home because I forget to pack them.
I'd like to keep them with me permanently as part of my survival gear You never know when it might be needed.

 

[gjackson]

So back when I was 10 the family was cruising through the Kalahari in a 1972 Range Rover on our way to Maun. We had left lakes Mopipi and Xau, skirted Rakops to the west and were heading cross country with the goal of intersecting the Boteti river and following that into Maun. We knew the Boteti was north, and so we started going north on a compass bearing from our small hiking compass. As the day drew on, with no river to be seen, my mom started to question the cross-country decision. My dad was adamant that the river was north and we would get to it soon. We looked at the compass only to see the needle slowly drifting around in a full circle like the second hand on a clock! We stopped, but the compass continued to do that. Seems that the gears in the LT77 and probably most other gearboxes can magnetize enough to really mess up a compass that is set above the gearbox. Taking the compass off the gearbox shroud did stop its slow circuit, but left us wondering if it really pointed north anymore.

We carried on, as that was all that could be done, and in another couple of hours, just before sunset, we reached the river. Tremendously relieved, we rushed to the river, and set up camp. The crocodile proof garbage bags and leopard will have to wait for another story!

Anyway, be careful where you mount or set a regular compass in a vehicle. Can be all kinds of fun even if it seems okay to start.

What that has to do with storing a compass, I'm not sure, but the story seemed apropos.

cheers

 

[Spikepretorius]

Yeah when mounting a compass you'd have to handle it similar to on a boat where you have to calculate deviation.
When I use a compass I always walk away from the vehicles.

 

[Lynn]

So back when I was 10 the family was cruising through the Kalahari...What that has to do with storing a compass, I'm not sure, but the story seemed apropos.

cheers

I don't care if it is apropos or not, you really need to share those stories! I live vicariously.

 

[Spikepretorius]

gjackson are you Safrican? Or ex-Safrican?

 

[Lynn]

A quick note on compasses:

I used one a lot as a Boy Scout, then later in life as part of a SAR team (all in the US), and thought I knew all about compasses, until I read a post on a Scuba forum regarding travel below the Equator.

I never knew that there were different compasses for different parts of the world!

From Brunton's site:

Third, figure out whether your geological activity is in the Northern or Southern hemisphere. In the Northern hemisphere, the magnetic dip tries to pull the north pointing end of the needle downward, so the factory adds a tiny bit of weight to the south pointing end to make the needle balance properly. But if you are in the Southern hemisphere, the weight needs to be on the north pointing end of the needle to compensate for the magnetic dip that tries to pull the south pointing end downward.

In reality a compass can only be perfectly balanced for one specific location around the globe.

//snip//

A stock Brunton is made for the Northern hemisphere, so if you are going to use a Brunton very near or south of the equator, let us know and we will special order a compass balanced to account for your region.

Anyway, be aware that traditional mechanical compasses may be region-specific. Electronic compasses shouldn't have such issues.

 

[Lynn]

Sorry for the diversion. I'll get back on track now.

I have an old Silva Ranger as a primary compass and a Silva Landmark in my survival kit. Neither one has ever had special storage, and neither one has ever given me any trouble.

 

[adrenaline503]

I keep mine in a little pelican case along with some other goodies under the drivers seat. I havent noticed any problems.

 

[gjackson]

gjackson are you Safrican? Or ex-Safrican?

:victory:

Actually, no, I'm a Brit by nationality, was born in Lesotho, and raised in Cape Town and Pretoria. I tried to get Lesotho citizenship, but they refused because I'm white.

Hold a British passport, but I've never lived there. It's all a convoluted, complicated story! But I love Southern Africa! I'd move in an instant if Connie would let me :safari-rig:

cheers

 

[Spikepretorius]

compass can only be perfectly balanced for one specific location around the globe.

Interesting point. One of mine has a needle that drops down. I could never figure out why till now. Must be a northern hemisphere version

 

[DaveM]

RE region specific compasses, I believe this may be more of an issue with the smaller orienteering compasses we are used to seeing. Many mariners compasses (boxed gimbaled and in heavy metal cases with adjusting screws etc) could be used globally and needed only to be adjusted once to the magnetic vagaries of the boat in which they were housed.

 

[Lynn]

RE region specific compasses, I believe this may be more of an issue with the smaller orienteering compasses we are used to seeing. Many mariners compasses (boxed gimbaled and in heavy metal cases with adjusting screws etc) could be used globally and needed only to be adjusted once to the magnetic vagaries of the boat in which they were housed.

Good point r.e. marine compasses. I don't know much about them.

Just for clarification I would like to point out that the info I quoted above from Brunton's site is regarding their pocket transits, not a small orienteering compass. Still land-based, but arguably the most advanced hand-held compasses around.