Customer Reviews

Brunton Eclipse Adventure Racing Compass

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Prior reviewers have done a good job describing the many nice features of this compass. It has a declination adjustment, the markings on the compass ring are to one degree. It has UTM tools for 5 different scales and 5 different radius rings for marking targets on a map. It has a small ruled (3 inches) straight edge that has metric on the back. It comes with a short lanyard. Unlike some similar Brunton compasses, it does not include a whistle. The "circle in circle" design makes following a bearing about as easy as a compass can make it.

However, the very first time I raced with the compass, all the UTM markings washed off of it. So did the blue circle on the base plate, making the "circle in circle" feature hard to use, impossible in low light.

I contacted Brunton about the problem and did not get any response, not even the courtesy of acknowledging the feedback on their product.

Then I set down my pack on a hard surface and the compass came out of the base plate. I was able to replace it, but it didn't inspire confidence.

I really like the features this compass offers, but have been disappointed with the durability, particularly of the markings, and the lack of response from the manufacturer. If they get back to me, I will edit this entry.

I purchased this compass because I like the way Brunton uses the circle in a circle method to align the compass and because it has built in scales for UTM grids. This is a good compass to use if you are using paper maps with a GPS. The scales work on 1:24k Topo maps available from the USGS as well as military 1:50k maps. The built in ruler is reversible for English or metric measurement. It also is adjustable for declination. A separate ruler/scale is included to allow you to determine Lat/Long on maps as well. This is a good general purpose compass for someone who wants to be able to work with Topo maps and a GPS.

I bought this compass for adventure racing. I really like the circle in circle orientation method...that's what makes is worth $20. That one feature significantly reduces the common-when-tired navigational error of mistaking the north end of the needle for the south. I also like the magnification on the bezel that allows one to imagine that one is orienteering to 1 degree of accuracy. When one is tired, at night, those large magnified numbers are great!

In practical use, I would like to see a few different features.

1) Rather than an ergonomic baseplate, set up I guess for holding the compass in the left hand, I'd rather have two straight sides for more convenient map use. When one has one's map folded small to hold in one hand...in say a 3" wide by 6" tall rectangle, working with just one straight side near the top of the map is inconvenient.

2) Brunton's little red orienting lines are printed on the white bezel. They are really short and far apart and hard to see when trying to line them up with map grid lines. I much prefer orienting lines that run across the bottom of the liquid filled housing. This makes for a much easier time orienting the bezel with the map accurately.

3) I think for an adventure racing compass, Brunton could get rid of the GPS estimated error circles. Those are legacy feature from the Brunton GPS compass. By the rules current in adventure racing today, GPS is illegal for race use, so those are unnecessary. They don't hurt anything, but neither do they add anything useful in my view.

A previous reviewer complained that the compass housing/capsule snapped out of the baseplate when dropped hard. I've had this happen, too. In that moment it's scary, but the thing snaps back together pretty easily. In fact this is a good feature since grit gets between the baseplate and compass housing making it difficult to turn. One can snap the housing out, wipe off the grit and snap it back together for much freer movement.

This compass is not perfect, but it is a really good compass for adventure racing and general use.

This is my second Brunton Eclipse compass I have owned. I lost my first one last year while deer hunting. Just the fact that I bought another one is a tribute to the product it's self. I use the compass along with my GPS unit and a paper map to locate hunting areas in areas that I am not familiar with. Works great.

The compass needle action on this unit is amazing. There is very little swing and the circle in circle is idiotproof, which is a good thing at 4AM after being on course for 17 hours. The magnifying lens over the bearing number is a nice touch.

Unfortunately this unit is very susceptible to getting jammed up with dirt. Dirt? Outdoors? Who'da thought. I wish the manual had mentioned how easy it is to pop the center out of this compass for cleaning, definitely doable in the field. I had to get that good advice here: [...].

Finally, and this is a fatal flaw, the markings (UTM tools and circle in circle) rub off the back in short order. I'm buying a separate UTM tool and using this compass as my backup.

I will admit that if this compass did not have the UTM tool built in, I would still be using my old Silva. The downsides are that the compass sticks a bit while rotating, making taking my initial bearing from a map difficult and I generally prefer a compass that has a longer direction of travel line. Still, easy to use and the built in "set it and forget it" declination feature is very nice.

I purchased the Brunton Eclipse Adventure Racing Compass in addition to Brunton 8099 primarily for taking "on-the-fly" bearing readings. This a great choice for a baseplate compass particularly if you're doing any type of amateur or competitive orienteering. The cirle-in-circle feature is quick to use, accurate, and dependable. The multiple scales accommodate using various size topographic maps commonly used for outdoor hunting, fishing, hiking or geocaching. This a must have for anyone looking for a dependable baseplate compass that will last for years.

Here's what I like:

1 Solid construction.
2 Super fast magnetic needle
3 It has UTM grids printed on the base plate
4 It's well constructed
5 Magnetic declination is easily set.

I give it a three star rating for the following reasons:

1 The UTM grids are simply painted on the back. They'll rub off.
2 No right angles. As odd as it may sound right angles are very useful for pinpointing a location on the map grid
3 The direction arrow at the top is hard to read unless you've got something light under it. A bright red arrow would have been better. Plus it should be etched into the plastic and not simply painted. Again, it will rub off.

OK for a cheap compass. Bulky. Not what you would expect from Brunton. I used my Silva Ranger more effectively. It is nice to have the UTM scales. I don't understand the curve/ The circle in a circle is a good idea, however I'd prefer an arrow. Needs a longer landyard. Would be much better if it were scaled down a bit.

i spent two months reviewing similar items. after watching video's from Dave Canterbury and reading other reviews from well accredited people. i made this purchase with no hesitation. you should assume from the five star rating that i'm more then happy with my purchase. don't hesitate its a great product. she settles on north fast and the bubble over bubble system is nice. it also includes a latitude-longitude & UTM template. she's built well and definitely made to last. my hats off to the Brunton team.