Compasses

Despite the increasing prevalence of smartphone apps and GPS navigation devices, compasses still remain the most important tool for orienting oneself in the field. A compass proves to be an ideal companion on a trip into the wilderness. Therefore, the navigation aid is a must-have in every backpack for hiking trips, trekking adventures, and survival tours.

At Meister Messer you will find compasses in different designs that will reliably guide your way. In addition to sighting and marching compasses, the Meister Messer online shop also offers compact pocket compasses. The following guide explains what to look out for when buying a compass.

Explaining how a compass works

Compasses harness the Earth's magnetic field. Inside them is a magnetic needle that aligns itself along the local magnetic field lines, always pointing north as a result. In modern designs, the compass needle typically floats in a liquid, ensuring that it aligns quickly without prolonged oscillation.

Whether on land or at sea: To determine the geographic north, the compass must be rotated so that the needle tip is pointing to "N" on the scale. This way, you can of course also read the other cardinal directions. If your outdoor equipment also includes a topographic map, it is also possible to make statements about the current location and estimate the distance to the destination.

What types of compasses are there?

The basic structure of compasses is always the same. The orientation aids usually consist of a magnetized needle, the compass housing or compass box, and various indicators. The versions available on the market can be categorized as follows:

• A pocket compass is particularly compact and usually weighs a maximum of 20 grams, making it fit into any pocket or can be used as a keychain. Such models are almost always equipped with a loop or a ring, so they can also be attached to a belt loop or a backpack, for example. Pocket compasses are suitable for rough direction determination.
• A surveying compass is usually equipped with a magnifying lens that ensures high reading accuracy. Often, corresponding models also feature a sighting window integrated into the lid with a line of sight and a fluorescent pointer or LED illumination.
• A ruler compass is very flat and has a rather simple structure. The usually transparent base plate – often with an integrated magnifying glass – has a straight edge for topographic maps. Consequently, with such compasses, the direction of march can be read. However, bear in mind that ruler compasses are more suitable for short distances.

Buying a compass: What to look out for

In and of itself, any good compass enables you to orient yourself on outdoor trips. Nevertheless, there are some purchasing variables that you should consider. The following overview shows which variables are important in a compass test report:

• Size and Weight: If you are looking for a compass with very high precision, you should expect it to weigh up to 400 grams. Pocket compasses are slightly less precise, but are significantly more compact and lighter. However, for extensive hikes or trekking tours, a sighting compass is more suitable.
• Material: The housing is usually made of plastic, steel, or aluminum - extremely robust materials. However, plastic housings score with a particularly low weight. If you also want to use the compass on the water, you should also make sure that the housing is waterproof. This is usually ensured by silicone sealing rings.
• Face/Display: Many high-quality compasses are equipped with an additional scale for declination correction. The display is needed in some places because the geographic and magnetic north do not exactly coincide. In darkness, models with fluorescent displays or integrated LEDs prove to be practical.
• Transport: If you want to attach the compass to your belt or backpack, make sure it has an eyelet, a pendant, or similar.

Meister Messer: Your online shop for survival equipment

At Meister Messer, you can find both compact pocket compasses and high-quality orienteering compasses from well-known brands like Helikon-Tex at affordable prices. Our range also includes, for example, survival knives and survival kits - So take a look at the Meister Messer online shop today and discover the extensive product range.