Recommend a good inexpensive compass

[jkfletcher]

I will be going to the Smoky Mountains this and plan to do some hiking while there. I plan on taking a GPS, but just in case I get bad signal or the battery dies or it just decides not to work for some reason, I'd like to have a backup, and while I have used a compass before, I have not bought one. Are they all pretty much the same or are they like everything else and one is better than another? Can anyone recommend a good but inexpensive compass? Is $20-25 enough to spend or am I looking at more for a good one? Thanks

 

[woodsie57]

Anything Silva in your price range will do what you're after. I've found my way around the Boundary Waters with the one that has a fold down lid,mirror inside, not sure of the model. The old boy scout map reading compass on a clear plastic base is my backup,works great too!

 

[Grizhicks]

Just about anything in the Silva or Brunton lines will serve you well; easily under $20 (the Brunton 9020G is a good 'back up' model, as well as others).

But, in the Smokies, all you really need is smoething to tell general direction (N/S/E/W), the trails are well marked and you shouldn't have any trouble.

Your main use of the GPS (IMHO) will be for elevation; with a good topo, you should know what trail you are on and the elevation will tell you right where you are at.

HAVE FUN..... Greg

 

[kludge]

Simple, basic - Silva Starter 123 $12

Similar but adds the two most common USGS map scales, no math or conversion - Silva Explorer 203 $22

I have both.

 

[climber409]

Silva

 

[jkfletcher]

Thanks all

Yes, in theory being where the trails will be marked should make me not get lost...but I'd rather be prepared than lost somewhere and nobody ever find me lol.

 

[Grunt]

If it was me going into the mountains hiking I would highly recommmend a military type compass like a lensatic compass: Cammenga US Military Compass.

If you shop around, you should be able to find them around $35 to $40 or so.

 

[Rogkin]

I agree with Silva. Can't go wrong for the price.

 

[James Bond 007]

Silva is a good choice. One with adjustable declination is a plus.

 

[Boonl1776]

Silva and a GPS work great together. The GPS can tell you which compass point to walk towards, but has a really, really hard time telling you which way you are facing or waliking. That's where the Silva comes in.

 

[.356luger]

Just picked up a silva from gande mtn for my bob and my off grid camping ruck i highly recommend them. I believe they they where 12$ a piece also grabbed a nalgene while i was there for $9.99