Air bubbles in (expensive) compasses

[RobL]

One of our children's Silva 6 Jet Spectra compass has an air bubble that comes and goes. I'd assumed it was to do with environmental conditions, but it's not obvious that this is the case. Has anyone got any tips on preventing this phenomenon, or even how to deal with the expensive thumb compasses we have where there are bubbles permanently?

Thanks

Rob.

[pigweed]

Don't put a compass in the bag in the hold if you're taking a plane flight but hand carry it instead to avoid getting a bubble.

A bubble can be removed if you use a sharp metal point, heated up, to melt through the plastic to expel the air or replace the alcohol or other liquid, then seal the hole up with a heated screwdriver.

[RobL]

OK thanks, good tip. But what liquid should I try and inject into my first effort which will be a silva 6 spectra?? (I'll move on to the JET depending on success )

[Gnitworp]

I sent my Type 5 Jet that had a bubble to Silva Ltd, 7 Elphinstone Square, Deans Industrial Estate, Livingstone, West Lothian EH54 8RG for repair and they sent me a brand new one free of charge

[Gross]

But what liquid should I try and inject into my first effort

Try using washing up liquid.... but not Fairy Liquid... too many bubbles

[70plus]

What liquid should I try and inject into my first effort which will be a silva 6 spectra?? (I'll move on to the JET depending on success )

The liquid which leaks from a Silva compass smells very much like paraffin or white spirit, which has low viscosity. I'm not sure how Fairy liquid would mix with that, and it might thicken it a bit.

[frostbite]

This has been discussed on Attackpoint -

http://www.attackpoint.org/discussionth ... age_294927
http://www.attackpoint.org/discussionth ... age_130764

The suggestion is that the compass is filled with Stoddard Solvent - which is American for white spirit.

According to the Silva.se website your compass has a five year warranty.

[RobL]

The five year warranty turned out to be the most straightforward solution Ultrasport swapped over the Jet 6 at the S6Ds for a new one. Thanks everyone for your advice on this
Rob.

[brooner]

Has anyone else had a lot of problems with bubbles and silva compasses recently?

Having received two new compasses from Silva at the end of last year, as replacements for ones which had developed bubbles, one of those has since developed a bubble and was sent back for another replacement (I smashed the other one within 4 months). I received a replacement today, and opened the package from Silva UK to find that it too has a bubble!

I could just keep going through this palaver of getting replacements, but it is getting rather tiresome.

[EddieH]

I like the size of the Moscompass, but they invariably get bubbles pretty early on. I've never had that problem with Silva until they are relly old.

[denzil53]

I bought a new Silva compass by mail order recently. It arrived with an air bubble, which was removed by heating it up over the heating vents, and it hasn't returned. It did come by airmail, which probably explains it!

[plain lazy]

I'm onto my second Moscompass, which I've now raced with for about 4-5 years, I've had no problems with bubbles at all. My first Moscompass survived about 4 years with no bubbles, I only replaced it because the bezel was discoloured and obscuring detail on the map.

Mrs Plain Lazy's Moscompass has developed a bubble recently, but I can't be sure if that was air travel related or not.

I've never understood the Silva thing since Moscompass appeared on the market, they are (or in my experience) just as quick, and way way cheaper.

[brooner]

I've never understood the Silva thing since Moscompass appeared on the market, they are (or in my experience) just as quick, and way way cheaper.

I prefer the bigger needles, and having received a replacement (without bubble!) one day after e-mailing them, they have a pretty great customer service! Here's hoping I don't need to trouble them again soon...

[plain lazy]

Wow that is great customer service!