What compass?
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What compass?
Liked the Silva 360 jet compass/magnifier combination, but latest one seems to have had the same quality control issues that others have had since manufacturing shipped out to China - bubble in the first month of use - and being bitten, am looking elsewhere. I'm looking for LH thumb with magnifier, ideally rotatable housing (old fashioned!), but have used without in the past - what do people use and rate? Sourcing?
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awk - god
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Re: What compass?
I had the same issue with a Silva 360 jet a few months ago. I found a site selling the previous version (race jet 360 I believe) and got one of those, no problems since. There are still plenty of site selling this previous version.
- SeanC
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Re: What compass?
Interesting. Can you point me in their direction - I haven't found any myself?
I'd still be interested in views and thoughts on other compasses (especially thumb) - what do people use, and why have you chosen the brand/model you have?
I'd still be interested in views and thoughts on other compasses (especially thumb) - what do people use, and why have you chosen the brand/model you have?
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awk - god
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Re: What compass?
I have recently bought a base plate from these people
https://www.alpinetrek.co.uk/compasses/
comes from Germany but quickly. Good prices and £5 discount if you sign up for their newsletter. Unfortunately only seem to have right hand thumbs.
Bought a magnifier off these people at Christmas
https://www.runnerinn.com/running/runni ... _1&start=0
also good prices and delivery despite it being sent from Germany.
https://www.alpinetrek.co.uk/compasses/
comes from Germany but quickly. Good prices and £5 discount if you sign up for their newsletter. Unfortunately only seem to have right hand thumbs.
Bought a magnifier off these people at Christmas
https://www.runnerinn.com/running/runni ... _1&start=0
also good prices and delivery despite it being sent from Germany.
- Philip134
- off string
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Re: What compass?
I have been using a Str8 thumb compass for a year or two now. So far I'm very happy with it. No bubbles and the needle stability is excellent. It even turned up at download when I dropped it on Blacka Moor the other weekend
I'm a little less happy with the magnifier that I bought at the same time. Magnification is excellent but the way it fits to the compass is a bit clunky. I would hope for something better for the price.
I'm a little less happy with the magnifier that I bought at the same time. Magnification is excellent but the way it fits to the compass is a bit clunky. I would hope for something better for the price.
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Homer - diehard
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Re: What compass?
I got my RaceJet 360 (left) from sportshoes.com, but I see they only have right hand versions left now. Google found this on Amazon - probably they'll be all sold everywhere soon.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silva-Race-360 ... th=1&psc=1
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silva-Race-360 ... th=1&psc=1
- SeanC
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Re: What compass?
I got a Silva race plate zoom (not a thumb compass) from the climbers shop on-line recently. They list the "wrist" jet compass, but no other fast needle versions I could spot, and no thumb compasses either.
https://www.climbers-shop.com/silva
https://www.climbers-shop.com/silva
- Karen
- red
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Re: What compass?
I’m liking my sr8, needle is very stable. The I like the shape too. The general quality is excellent. The bezel doesn’t rotate though.
- Excelman
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Re: What compass?
After getting a discount code from the Cambridge City Race a couple of years ago, I got a couple of Kanpas compasses:
https://www.kanpas.com/collections/orie ... mb-compass
They've been stable, yet fast. They seem pretty rugged too, no bubbles or defects even after the amount of tripping over I do. The base is a little thicker than on a Moscow.
https://www.kanpas.com/collections/orie ... mb-compass
They've been stable, yet fast. They seem pretty rugged too, no bubbles or defects even after the amount of tripping over I do. The base is a little thicker than on a Moscow.
- sborrill
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Re: What compass?
SeanC wrote:I got my RaceJet 360 (left) from sportshoes.com, but I see they only have right hand versions left now. Google found this on Amazon - probably they'll be all sold everywhere soon
Thanks Sean. I've ordered from that link - it seems to be the last one as it's now 'temporarily out of stock' - and will see if it's an old style that arrives!
Thank you others for your thoughts. I like the look of the Str8, but really do want that rotating bezel (or at least some method of holding a bearing without map).
A quick word on customer service. I had bought the new Silva from runnerinn in Spain. I went through the returns process with them, sending photo etc (but not the barcode they requested as no packaging left), and they have refunded my credit card straightaway. Very impressed.
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awk - god
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Re: What compass?
A follow-up to this thread. Unfortunately, when the compass arrived, it proved to be another one of those manufactured in China. It has now also developed a bubble. That makes 3 Silva compasses and 3 bubbles, all in barely a couple of months each. They've all gone back for refunds, and I will certainly not be touching Silva with a barge pole for the foreseeable future!
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awk - god
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Re: What compass?
One word: Str8.
I lost mine again at Ilkley. It turned up yet again. That's 3 compasses for the price of one
Thanks very much to whoever handed it in this time
PS I'm looking into a string around my wrist....
I lost mine again at Ilkley. It turned up yet again. That's 3 compasses for the price of one
Thanks very much to whoever handed it in this time
PS I'm looking into a string around my wrist....
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Homer - diehard
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Re: What compass?
My first Str8 (Stroo?) lost its (presumably decorative) aluminium ring after a few months, developed a large bubble after about 18 months and finally gave up the ghost and broke in half at the CompassSport Cup qualifier in February. The last of these would be fair enough except that I don't actually remember falling over and landing on it - I was just running along a path when I suddenly became aware of the strong aromatic smell of oil...
I do like the Str8 concept and I was impressed with the compass while it lasted, so have decided to give them a second chance. The replacement got its first outing at the British Middles and seems good thus far.
I also have an 11-year-old Moscompass which is still perfectly usable if a little slow to settle, and is now primarily used for fell races, MMs etc. It has taken a battering over the years and I suspect it is made of rather more robust plastic than the Str8. That said, it is difficult to recommend Moscompass at the moment for other reasons.
I do like the Str8 concept and I was impressed with the compass while it lasted, so have decided to give them a second chance. The replacement got its first outing at the British Middles and seems good thus far.
I also have an 11-year-old Moscompass which is still perfectly usable if a little slow to settle, and is now primarily used for fell races, MMs etc. It has taken a battering over the years and I suspect it is made of rather more robust plastic than the Str8. That said, it is difficult to recommend Moscompass at the moment for other reasons.
British Orienteering Director | Opinions expressed on here are entirely my own, and do not represent the views of British Orienteering.
"If only you were younger and better..."
"If only you were younger and better..."
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Scott - god
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Re: What compass?
Hmmm, so my Silva Race Jet 360 (mid-2020 vintage, not sure if Chinese made or predates that) has abruptly developed a small bubble (currently about 1-2mm across). How much of a problem is this?
And if I decide to replace with something else, does anyone have experience of the Suunto AIM-6 (apparently made in Finland)?
I would look at the Str8 but do like the rotatable housing concept to facilitate keeping a (somewhat) accurate bearing.
And if I decide to replace with something else, does anyone have experience of the Suunto AIM-6 (apparently made in Finland)?
I would look at the Str8 but do like the rotatable housing concept to facilitate keeping a (somewhat) accurate bearing.
- ricardito
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