Top 10 Military Compasses Reviewed and Rated

In an area without service, yes 100%. But in an area where there is service, you’ll find they are both comparable to one another. Compasses take the guesswork out of the accuracy portion.

Durability is the top concern. It is made to deal with the toughness of the conditions it’s being used in. That is why many are waterproof and shockproof to offset any disadvantages to the current weather conditions. You can drop them without worrying about it affecting the condition of the device.

Good uses for them are during a storm, climbing a mounting, hiking, hunting and of course during a military operation. Using a regular compass during any of these situations leaves the user at a disadvantage if the device breaks. So if you’re in the middle of nowhere, having a military compass is preferable to having a regular one.

Shock protection keeps your accuracy honest if you are on the move. You’ll notice the feature also goes hand in hand with waterproof models, adding an extra layer of protection in extreme conditions.

Not at all- official models are great but have been improved/changed by other companies to meet those specs while stripping down (or building up) specific features at the consumer level. Unless you are hardcore, official models will be a choice among many.

There are several techniques used to hold a compass. Users can choose whichever one is the most comfortable, or the ones that are appropriate for the current situation. The two most used techniques for holding a compass are Compass-to-cheek and Center-hold.

Both methods require two hands for efficiency, but the former is easier for users that have fired a gun before. It uses similar positioning and relies on a simple alignment technique to get the compass working. Center-hold is the technique that requires more practice since it can lead you in circles if done wrong.

Not only will metal objects affect readings, so will other objects. The list of things that lowers the accuracy of a compass is short, so a little reading will go a long way in finding out if there is a problem. A good example of this is trying to use a compass while carrying a metal object.

A compass that uses magnetic energy will give a false north reading because of this and will lead you in circles until you figured out what the problem was. Avoiding false readings is a big thing with a compass, and even becomes problematic when using advanced electronic compass devices with GPS support.

Tritium is a natural light source so you can see it in the dark. No configuration is required to get it working, and it is a necessary inclusion even if you have a flashlight. The soft glow is perfect for navigation, but it doesn’t last forever. On average, the luminosity of tritium lasts over a decade.

It’s more accurate to say that the full strength of tritium lasts 10 to 12 years. After that, there is a decline in the glow, but how fast that decline is will always be different based on the compass. Purchasing a new one is preferable since a used one will have used up all of the good years of tritium.

This is going to be a hit or miss requirement depending on the person you ask. A military compass is more than just a device to find directions so it will include a lot of great information about its other features. Even an experienced user will miss out on important information if they skim through the entire instruction booklet.

With so many great features in one small product, a lot of leading companies have begun posting a copy of their instructions online. So even if the original booklet is misplaced, customers can find everything they need on the company’s website.

A Lensatic Compass is a military compass but refers to a specific type rather than all. It is not designed with speed in mind like other types and instead finds its strength with accuracy. A lensatic compass isn’t a huge technological leap forward, and the type is built around a lens on the rear sight.

With this lens in place, a more accurate reading can be made due to it magnifying the card dial. In short, a Lensatic Compass is a rugged compass that boosts its accuracy by including a magnifying lens. There are pros and cons of the design, and it is used by casual and professional personnel.

Accuracy is a big feature with any compass and follows the same guidelines with military versions. An inaccurate device is useless, even if all the other features work just fine. Thankfully there are no new weaknesses introduced with a military compass, so it will be on 1:1 accuracy with any other compass on the market.

Buyers should be aware of the usual compass weaknesses with accuracy that can be affected by magnetic fields and metal objects. Because accuracy is based on the quality of the compass, tying the two together when making a purchase is recommended. Anything less than average accuracy means it is an inferior product.

When using the compass mirror a user can view their target and compass capsule together. Sighting is a lot less problematic thanks to this feature but is not used in all compass models. Baseplate compasses, in particular, lack this feature, so customers tend to avoid certain types of they want the mirror.

A little knowledge is required when using a compass mirror, so it's not as user-friendly as other types. The feature is useful but is still going to be hit or miss depending on which compass user you ask. For the best of both worlds, purchasing multiple types is a good choice.

Getting a compass with a global needle has no benefit if you’re never going to use it outside of America. The design is still ingenious, and it takes on worldwide magnetic zones with ease. But even as a ‘just in case’ purchase it is wholly unnecessary for the average user.

Professionals will have a different take on it if they plan to travel a lot. It will be more useful to them than a casual user that is staying within the country. Prices for those with global needle support isn’t that much different from other types, so the good news is that you won’t have to pay a premium.

Having extended features like a tripod screw hole is a nice benefit if you plan to use it. By setting the compass up on a tripod in a fixed position, you can survey an entire area from your current point of interest. This is used a lot by customers that want to take down readings, detect changes and are sometimes referred to as a surveyor’s tripod. Military use of this type of compass can be found in kits going back as far as 1927. With a modern version, the tripod is sold as an option rather than together as a kit.

The high durability makes it resistant to damage that would destroy other products. That doesn’t mean it is indestructible, and it also doesn’t mean that you can’t lose it. When brands offer lanyards or even a case, using both is optional but still recommended. The lanyard, in particular, is useful when you’re using a compass a lot throughout the day/night cycles. It is easier to have it around your neck rather than pull it out of your pocket. And if you tend to have a utility belt that is already full, a lanyard option is always welcome. How To Make The Best Decision.

The more advanced features can get confusing, even for an intermediate user. If you’re not going to use the advanced features of a particular model, then go for a beginner-friendly model from the list that omits advanced features. You won’t be missing out on anything if you’re not going to be using it.