Does That Little Cover Thing On A Compass Make A Difference?

[Gizmo j]

I was looking at compasses on amazon, and alot of them has this cover on it and I'm not sure what it does. like below:

I found this compass that doesn't have the cover that attaches to your watch strap and I really like that it glows in the dark:

https://www.amazon.com/Marathon-Compass-Bezel-Military-Version/dp/B07GFLSNWP

 

[sdifox]

Sigh, go watch a youtube video on how to use a compass first. Maybe you should just download a compass app.

https://carnegiemnh.org/how-to-use-a-lensatic-compass/

 

[nakedfrog]

Are you, uh, gonna go outside somewhere?

 

[lxskllr]

This is a decent compass for the average numpty...

https://www.amazon.com/SVBONY-Military-Multifunction-Fluorescent-Waterproof/dp/B016BA6OBG/ref=sr_1_2?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ifr0uneIyFKDFZKGd54EmGE5C4fAzSlBGg7Jds4h6W0pIm6H0TFEYFG0qo5cmQ1uZN5IUxB8dZ2G7EVlS-OZpfwaa-JiC2-HJg98Vs_N_SPnEBNgh5uSXYrzzeEsvtA60dhaOlw-t_WY7tGBprIwn_sPlB5fXjluuShuNdDPwrHEBpkYwuVZW_Vvuqv9h-TWOIQ6Xy9_RDFnVqZK3bwVdIfyApi21UJZL5rBu2c0-Vr2J2tsPwc_wirQSQLQCNcw1a-P2aoB-ezv3IRNpiUZLNjH1koG7wEeTAgWWK2sE8M.IeOw1Z-Do9e155czMUgJWwYt-kxpwBmTajzLlZB-ufA&dib_tag=se&keywords=pocket%2Btransit&qid=1713544574&sr=8-2&th=1

I bought one for work. I used to have the real thing, but it disappeared somewhere over the years. That stupid watchband thing you linked is worthless. I can get as close as that by looking up.

edit:
This is a good navigation program for android. It has a compass & clinometer. I liked enough to donate money to the dev...

Trail Sense | F-Droid - Free and Open Source Android App Repository

Use your phone's sensors to assist with wilderness treks

f-droid.org

 

[Gizmo j]

That stupid watchband thing you linked is worthless. I can get as close as that by looking up.

It says it's military grade and has pretty good reviews.

 

[lxskllr]

It is NOT military grade. Military grade costs about $500. I've had a couple of them. Factoring in cost, it's a 5 star compass, but it can't touch the good ones. Most people won't benefit from a pro compass. I've used the one I linked at work, and it's fine. If it gets lost or broken, it isn't a big heartache. I recommend it.

 

[IronWing]

It says it's military grade and has pretty good reviews.

Military grade? Low bidder?

 

[sdifox]

It says it's military grade and has pretty good reviews.

It says Russian military grade, so toy grade.

 

[Brainonska511]

It says it's military grade and has pretty good reviews.

Amazon reviews are useless since fly-by-night companies can just buy good fake reviews (or bribe customers with rebates for good reviews).

And "military grade" is also likely a completely useless marketing term.

 

[Red Squirrel]

This is a decent compass for the average numpty...

https://www.amazon.com/SVBONY-Military-Multifunction-Fluorescent-Waterproof/dp/B016BA6OBG/ref=sr_1_2?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ifr0uneIyFKDFZKGd54EmGE5C4fAzSlBGg7Jds4h6W0pIm6H0TFEYFG0qo5cmQ1uZN5IUxB8dZ2G7EVlS-OZpfwaa-JiC2-HJg98Vs_N_SPnEBNgh5uSXYrzzeEsvtA60dhaOlw-t_WY7tGBprIwn_sPlB5fXjluuShuNdDPwrHEBpkYwuVZW_Vvuqv9h-TWOIQ6Xy9_RDFnVqZK3bwVdIfyApi21UJZL5rBu2c0-Vr2J2tsPwc_wirQSQLQCNcw1a-P2aoB-ezv3IRNpiUZLNjH1koG7wEeTAgWWK2sE8M.IeOw1Z-Do9e155czMUgJWwYt-kxpwBmTajzLlZB-ufA&dib_tag=se&keywords=pocket%2Btransit&qid=1713544574&sr=8-2&th=1

I bought one for work. I used to have the real thing, but it disappeared somewhere over the years. That stupid watchband thing you linked is worthless. I can get as close as that by looking up.

edit:
This is a good navigation program for android. It has a compass & clinometer. I liked enough to donate money to the dev...

Trail Sense | F-Droid - Free and Open Source Android App Repository

Use your phone's sensors to assist with wilderness treks

f-droid.org

I might get myself one actually, will be useful on my property. I find phone GPS can be decently accurate but phone compass is useless since it goes out of cal so much that you never can trust whether or not it's actually right. Something analog like this is pretty much always bang on.

 

[sdifox]

How to use your phone as a compass + the best Android compass apps

Almost every smartphone can easily turn into a compass. Learn how to activate and calibrate it on your Android phone. And, find out the best compass app for Android!

www.phonearena.com

How can a magnetometer go out of calibration?

 

[WelshBloke]

Not sure if this is a US UK thing but this is the sort of compass we use here...



Unless I'm way behind the times!

No pop up bits!

 

[sdifox]

Not sure if this is a US UK thing but this is the sort of compass we use here...

View attachment 97302

Unless I'm way behind the times!

No pop up bits!

101: Types of Compasses

The 3 standard different types of compasses and the different situations for each.

www.brunton.com

 

[MrSquished]

Not sure if this is a US UK thing but this is the sort of compass we use here...

View attachment 97302

Unless I'm way behind the times!

No pop up bits!

This is what I have when I go backpacking. Which I need to find a backpacking buddy because it's been too long, everyone had kids and sucks now. I figure someone out there will know how to use it thought, right?

 

[pete6032]

Not sure if this is a US UK thing but this is the sort of compass we use here...

View attachment 97302

Unless I'm way behind the times!

No pop up bits!

We have those in the US too.

 

[pete6032]

This is what I have when I go backpacking. Which I need to find a backpacking buddy because it's been too long, everyone had kids and sucks now. I figure someone out there will know how to use it thought, right?

Not everyone gets stuck at dating stage.

 

[MrSquished]

Not everyone gets stuck at dating stage.

Oh I don't give a shit about the dating or not dating. or being partnered or not. I hope to be partnered again one day but anyway, it has nothing to do with being partnered or not. It's about the kids. It's not the partnership that makes people not have the free time to do things, it's the goddamn kids. That's the point.

 

[Gizmo j]

No one really answered my question....

I watched some YouTube videos but no one mentions that top peice and what it does

 

[sdifox]

I gave you a link that explained step by step how to use a lensatic compass.

 

[Gizmo j]

https://www.amazon.com/Sun-Company-ArmArmour-Shielded-Tactical/dp/B06XD4Z16Z/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

What about this one?

 

[nakedfrog]

No one really answered my question....

I watched some YouTube videos but no one mentions that top peice and what it does

You didn't answer mine either
What are you going to be using this compass for?

 

[lxskllr]

and that second linked compass is a POS too. Useless.

 

[dullard]

No one really answered my question....

Suppose you were standing in this photo and needed to go to the point that is exactly northwest. Are you walking to point A or point B? Which compass would let you know the difference? Hint: it isn't any of the compasses that you have linked. Heck, you probably would have a hard time telling where northwest would be vs north-northwest using those compasses.

That cover that you asked about (called a sighting optic) will tell you exactly if A or B is the correct destination because it lets you sight a specific object (assuming you know how to use it).

 

[WilliamM2]

and that second linked compass is a POS too. Useless.

Something tells me that any compass will be useless for him.

 

[dullard]

How can a magnetometer go out of calibration?

They measure weak magnetic fields of the Earth. Nearby metal pieces and/or electromagnetic fields significantly impact the reading. What do cell phones have? Nearby metal pieces and electromagnetic fields.