Compass Recommendations

I am a big fan of the Sunnto compasses. I have 2 KB-14's (I think that is the model), they are the aluminum azimuth compasses. I also have 2 of the tandem models with the compass and the clinometer. I also have a couple of the Silva Polaris compasses. All work great.

I have never owned a Brunton, but hear they are good also.

I don't think you will be sorry if you use a Silva Ranger. I have been using them for about 40 years now with great results (except for local attraction). Just make sure they remembered to put fluid inside the compass rose when it was constructed, set it up on a known bearing (GPS SPC line works great) and adjust the declination for the known bearing. I did teach a class using the smaller Brunton compasses which the declination could be set in but never used one of their larger models. Also, don't wear a wristwatch with any metal on it.

I second the Sunnto compass. I have one that is about 35 years old. The capsule has been replaced once. I have another tandem. I have never used one with the declination adjustment but I have always wanted one.

Still have a 40+ year Silva Ranger in leather belt case.
Fellow surveyors always raved about the KB-14 so I have had one for about 20
years with nylon case.
Somebody gave me a waterproof KB-30 as a gift.

But I also like the iPhone included app compass. It has a gyro and magnetometer chip.
I also have the Theodolite app from
hunter research which is cool because you can take pictures with the data overlay.

I hear a lot about the Silva and Sunnto, but wouldn't I need a sighting needle and declination adjustment to search for bearing trees? I'm asking because I've never had to retrace GLO notes that involve bearing trees!

Allen Wrench, post: 391003, member: 6172 wrote: I hear a lot about the Silva and Sunnto, but wouldn't I need a sighting needle and declination adjustment to search for bearing trees? I'm asking because I've never had to retrace GLO notes that involve bearing trees!

You can sight with a Silva Ranger.

I always had a problem with the old suunto where you had to sight through instead of looking @ a compass needle....but I don't remember why. It's been a long time. I was always a fan of the Brunton, With it, we were able to set the declination, and get a vertical angle to kind of compensate for the slope. (of course back then we drug out a chain (300' steel tape) some times to do a search. I don't know enough about the brands, but just making sure it has the features you want would be the number one priority.

Dave Karoly, post: 391004, member: 94 wrote: You can sight with a Silva Ranger.

There is also a declination adjustment on the Ranger.

The main advantage of the Brunton is the ability to mount it on a monopole or tripod. If you are just going to handhold it save yourself $300 and get the Silva Ranger. The Ranger is plenty good for searching for bearing trees.

All of the brands mentioned in this thread so far make compasses which have the ability to adjust for declination. I have a Silva Ranger that is about 35 years old and one that is about 10 years old. The design hasn't changed but the quality of materials and construction had declined somewhat in that time period. The newer one is still a good compass though and I'd still recommend it. The Ranger has graduations at 2 degree increments and you can reasonably interpoguess to the nearest degree.

I've only heard of a handful of times when it was helpful to use the same or similar equipment to retrace an old GLO line as opposed to using more modern equipment. Most of the time, you're looking for the physical evidence left at corners and along lines. If following a magnetic bearing is going to help you (and it often will), a good handheld compass that easily fits in a pocket is usually plenty sufficient.

If you want something that can double as a staff compass from time to time, get a Brunton Pocket Transit. I have two of those as well. If though, for some reason you do come across an instance where running a portion of the line with staff compass & chain is advantageous, I would think that you would want an actual quality staff compass with minimum readings to the 1/4 degree and a longer sighting radius rather than using a Pocket Transit.

For everyday work, I'd highly recommend the Silva Ranger, or the equivalent models made by either Suunto or Brunton. For actual retracement purposes, if and when you find a real need for it, get a real staff compass. Although the Pocket transit seems like a nifty little tool to fill both needs, I've found it to be more bulky than I like for everyday use and a mediocre substitute for a larger staff compass.

Read the specs before you buy.
It is my understanding that the Suunto magnetic declination only goes to 14 degrees.

That might not make it in some parts (like OR / WA)
gzr

With the sunnto compass you sorta look in it and over it at the same time. An optical illusion will project the line to your distant target. I always held the brim of my cap with my middle or third finger to help stabilize it. With practice, 1/2 a degree is easily possible.

I have shown that compass to lots of people over the years. Often I would tell them that if they balanced it right, they could see straight thru it. I had blackened out the red dot on the end to where it looked like a hole. I even had one guy say "Oh yea, I see it now!". Then the rest of the crew started laughing and he knew he was pranked.

James

Love my brunton

eapls2708, post: 391040, member: 589 wrote: All of the brands mentioned in this thread so far make compasses which have the ability to adjust for declination. I have a Silva Ranger that is about 35 years old and one that is about 10 years old. The design hasn't changed but the quality of materials and construction had declined somewhat in that time period. The newer one is still a good compass though and I'd still recommend it. The Ranger has graduations at 2 degree increments and you can reasonably interpoguess to the nearest degree.

I've only heard of a handful of times when it was helpful to use the same or similar equipment to retrace an old GLO line as opposed to using more modern equipment. Most of the time, you're looking for the physical evidence left at corners and along lines. If following a magnetic bearing is going to help you (and it often will), a good handheld compass that easily fits in a pocket is usually plenty sufficient.

If you want something that can double as a staff compass from time to time, get a Brunton Pocket Transit. I have two of those as well. If though, for some reason you do come across an instance where running a portion of the line with staff compass & chain is advantageous, I would think that you would want an actual quality staff compass with minimum readings to the 1/4 degree and a longer sighting radius rather than using a Pocket Transit.

For everyday work, I'd highly recommend the Silva Ranger, or the equivalent models made by either Suunto or Brunton. For actual retracement purposes, if and when you find a real need for it, get a real staff compass. Although the Pocket transit seems like a nifty little tool to fill both needs, I've found it to be more bulky than I like for everyday use and a mediocre substitute for a larger staff compass.

The staff compass with our new Leica Disto is almost as good as a total station and a lot easier to carry. The Disto does horizontal distances too.

Dave Karoly, post: 391078, member: 94 wrote: The staff compass with our new Leica Disto is almost as good as a total station and a lot easier to carry. The Disto does horizontal distances too.

How far are you able to measure with the Disto from a practical perspective? My older model (5?) is hard to see more than 50 feet away in full sun. And holding it steady enough to get a longer distance is challenging, as well.

MightyMoe, post: 391066, member: 700 wrote: Love my brunton

Me too, works great in the Ozarks.

Brunton Type 15 is what I use.

Jim Frame, post: 391106, member: 10 wrote: How far are you able to measure with the Disto from a practical perspective? My older model (5?) is hard to see more than 50 feet away in full sun. And holding it steady enough to get a longer distance is challenging, as well.

It will go 200' to a flo pink lath easily.

It has a video screen and a tripod which makes finding the target a lot easier. I also have the old one which you look in the side which is difficult then I can't hold it steady enough.

https://surveyorconnect.com/community/threads/compass.220421/

Read post #11 by myself three years ago.

The Suunto compass is still going strong and is the one I would recommend for everyday use, of course you may need a much more expensive staff compass too.

SHG

I've tried all of the above brands. For ease of carrying and being consistent I will choose the Suunto every time. I have never used the declination on one as I just take a magnetic bearing on a road or fence line that is on a Section line then apply the difference between local magnetic north and the GLO record bearing.