For any survival situation, an essential piece of gear to have is a compass.
Out in the wilderness, you may find yourself disorientated and need to get back on track; this is when a compass could be your lifesaver.
This article will outline the features to consider when looking for the best compass for survival and give product reviews of the 7 best survival compasses you’ll find on the market.
Factors to Consider
Digital Versus Floating Needle
If you’re investing in a compass for survival purposes, veer away from digital compasses because relying on power in the wild could be troublesome. Look for a floating needle compass that’s dry or with a needle held steady by alcohol or oil.
Type
- Accessory Compasses are small and can be also be found on other outdoor gear (such as watches and paracord bracelets). They’re not recommended for navigating in the woods because they can only go so far as pointing you to magnetic north.
- Basic Compasses are recommended for day hikers, backpackers and people who will be off-trail for only a few days at a time. They’ll have basic features such as a magnetized needle, baseplate, rotating bezel or azimuth ring, and orientating lines and arrows.
- Advanced Compasses are recommended for outdoor survival because they’ll have added features to improve your navigation and accuracy. Such features include a magnifier, sighting mirror, clinometer for slopes and declination adjustment.
Luminescence
Having a compass that illuminates will be helpful in situations where you need to navigate in the dark. For this feature, consider investing in a battery powered compass or a light powered compass that can hold a charge with the sun’s rays or a portable light (such as a flashlight).
Durability
Survival compasses need to be durable enough to withstand the outdoor elements. They need to fare well against water, snow, extreme cold, wind and other hazardous elements. Metal compasses are recommended, but some hard polymer compasses are strong enough to last. Also make sure that your survival compass is waterproof or water resistant at the very least.
Product Reviews
Now it’s time to take a look at the 7 best compasses for survival.
Under Control Tactical Sighting Compass
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This Under Control Tactical compass is a professional-grade lensatic compass that’s recommended for camping, emergencies and outdoor survival. The compass is filled with liquid and has a floating luminous dial.
Its other notable features include a thumb hold, magnifying viewer, adjustable luminous marching line, 360-degree scale, Bezel ring, inch/centimeter scale, bubble level and a metal case. It’s not only lightweight but also foldable and portable.
Pros:Â Has a floating luminous magnetic arrow, a wide range of survival features, and a metal case durable against outdoor elements.
Cons: It can’t be used underwater and has no clinometer.
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Dead End Survival Co. Glow In The Dark Survival Compass
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Dead End Survival Co. has reincarnated the old-fashioned copper compass design and made a Survival Compass that’s built to successfully navigate you in the wilderness. Since it glows in the dark you’re able to read it at night or in cloudy weather conditions. This Survival Compass is filled with liquid and features a floating needle.
Its round design with a folding brass case makes it a compass that can easily fit into your pocket. The compass also features a 360-degree rotating Bezel.
Pros:Â Has a floating magnetic arrow, illuminating Bezel, and is compact and easy to carry.
Cons:Â Has no advanced features.
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Se Cc4580 Military Lensatic/Prismatic Sighting Compass
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This SE sighting compass is designed with a heavy-duty zinc die-cast body that is built to withstand the outdoor elements. The floating dial is held steady in a thermoelastic liquid-filled capsule.
Other features that make this a great survival compass include: the rotating Bezel ring, tripod connections, glow in the dark arrow, window with sighting lines, thumb ring, conversion chart, inch/centimeter ruler, level and sighting lens with adjustable diopter. For your carrying convenience, the compass also comes with a lanyard, nylon pouch and belt loop.
Pros:Â Has a floating luminous magnetic arrow, wide range of survival features, and is durable against outdoor elements.
Cons: It’s heavy and has no clinometer.
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Bukm Lensatic Sighting Compass
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Bukm’s sighting compass is a professional-grade lensatic compass that can be used in the military, outdoor survival or for hiking and camping. The compass is liquid-filled and has a floating luminous dial.
Other features include: a thumb hold, magnifying viewer, sighting hairline and folding metal case for extra durability. Bukm’s sighting compass is also lightweight, compact and easy to carry around.
Pros:Â Has a floating luminous magnetic arrow, good range of survival features, and is affordable.
Cons:Â Has no clinometer.
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Eachway Glow In The Dark Lensatic Sighting Compass
Eachway’s lensatic sighting compass is made with a strong metal that’s waterproof and rugged enough to fare well in all weather conditions. The compass is liquid filled and steadily holds a floating luminous arrow. Its fluorescent light design allows you to read the compass easily at night.
The bubble level allows you to improve your navigation accuracy but also acts as a clinometer to measure slopes. Eachway’s sighting compass also features a Bevel ring, scales, sighting hairline and a foldable cover.
Pros:Â Has a floating luminous magnetic arrow, wide range of survival features, and is durable against outdoor elements.
Cons: It’s heavy.
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Ultimate Survival Technologies Folding Map Compass
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This Folding Map Compass has a 5-mm thick baseplate that’s not only clear and easy to read, but also durable. The clear baseplate allows you to easily overlay the compass on a map and navigate your next steps. Additional features include: a signalling mirror, slope indicator, swivel bevel and an adjustable declination feature.
Ultimate Survival Technologies also gives you a lanyard for easy carrying and a screwdriver to customize the orientating arrow.
Pros:Â Has a clear baseplate for map overlay, is compact and easy to carry, and is durable against the outdoor elements.
Cons:Â Requires a screwdriver to adjust the arrow and has a limited number of advanced features.
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Proster Professional Compass
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Proster’s professional compass is made out of metal to ensure that it’s waterproof, shakeproof and durable enough to withstand the outdoor elements. The floating magnet arrow and compass card have a fluorescent design which glows in the dark once the compass has absorbed enough sunshine.
This professional compass also has a wide range of features for your convenience: a sighting telescope, clinometer, dial with 360-degree scale, adjustable prism lens and a foldable metal lid.
Pros:Â Has a floating luminous magnet arrow, good range of survival features, and is durable against outdoor elements.
Cons: It’s heavy.
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Final Thoughts
When it comes to finding the best compass for survival, be sure to assess its features and durability to withstand the outdoor elements. A high-quality compass will help you navigate through various terrain and help you regain your sense of direction if your get lost. When technology can no longer be your saving grace, a compass will come to the rescue.
