Customer Reviews

Brunton Classic Compass

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The Brunton Classic is a straightforward, easy-to-use, low-cost compass that works well in the outdoors. It is a bit clunky-looking and a little bulky in your pocket, but you will appreciate that fact in cold weather when you are wearing gloves. It comes with a TRUE declination adjustment that moves the north reference indicator to the desired declination. This is much better than some of the least expensive compasses that claim to have a declination adjustment but really don't. (They require you to manually offset the needle from the north reference indicator to achieve it, something you don't want to have to struggle with when you are exhausted after hiking for 10 hours.) The Brunton doesn't need a tool to adjust declination, which they claim as an advantage. In contrast, Suunto compasses use a tiny screwdriver attached to the lanyard to make the adjustment. Personally, I like the screwdriver adjustment as being more accurate and less likely to be accidentally moved, but they both work equally well. The bearing markings silkscreened onto the Brunton's dial are not as fine-ruled as the Suunto so you can't get quite as precise a readout, but the difference is insignificant in most cases.

One thing I don't particularly like about the Brunton is that the baseplate is symmetric, so if you're not careful you can end up reading a bearing that is 180 degrees off from what you intended. On the Suunto, on the other hand, one edge of the baseplate is shaped like an arrow, so it is always obvious which way to point it.

This basic compass doesn't have a sighting mirror, and there are decidedly two schools of thought on whether this is necessary. Some people absolutely claim you need a mirror compass for accurate navigation. Others do perfectly fine without it. I've used both and find the simple compass works just fine for all but the most exacting requirements. The reality is that you can't follow a bearing in the field over real terrain to better than 5-10 degrees anyway, so reading bearings to 1-2 degrees is overkill. Smart navigators always use the concept of "aiming off" to compensate for their inability to navigate that accurately (check any good map and compass book for an explanation). The Brunton works well for trail hikers and moderate cross-country work. It is also a good choice to use with a GPS receiver or as a backup compass. For people who are creating trail maps or doing survey work, a mirror compass is a better choice, in which case you might consider going with the absolute best, the Brunton Pocket Transit. But at a price of $250-300, it's not going to compete with the under $10 Brunton Classic.

A basic compass like this should be part of anyone's outdoor kit, and this model is an excellent choice. The highly visible markings on the bezel of this model, and the bright colored baseplate enhhance your ability to find and use this compass in the outdoors and set it apart from similar models. Brunton makes a quality product and this one does exactly what it is intended to do. While some people want a mirrored sighting compass for greater precision, that is a different type of tool. Many users are not looking for extreme precision in a utility compass, but instead just want an accurate indication of direction for use with a GPS bearing or to orient themselves in the outdoors. Those users also know that they should not rely solely on a GPS, compass watch or other electronic device when a quality, inexpensive compass like this can provide a reliable indication of direction without needing batteries. A non-mirrored compass like this is handy for rapid use because it does not have to be "opened" for use. This one is rugged and because of the durability and low price is something you will take and use on all of your outdoor adventures.

Some of the reviews I read sounded like they were written by people who had little real wilderness experience. A compass like this one is exactly what Boy Scouts learn to navigate with. Contrary to one review, this compass does have a declination adjustment. It is a bottom plate with an alignment arrow that turns independent of the top. So, in my case, I set the alignment arrow so that it is +19 degrees off of of zero (N). Now all I have to do is align the magnetic needle with the off set arrow and the compass readings all read true. There are several types of compasses. This is what I call "Type A". A magnetic needle operates independently of the compass card. It is the most popular type. You should read a book or on line to figure out how to do a few simple things like orienting the compass and taking a bearing, and understanding declination. My only complaint on this compass is that after rattling around in my pack for a few years the letters and numbers on the base plate almost wore off. Perhaps you should purchase a case for your compass. I helped teach a mountaineering class yesterday and this is the type of compass is what everybody used. 4 teams bushwhacked through steep terrain following a compass heading for over a mile and all (independently) came out within 100 to 150 feet of their destination. Conclusion: this type compass is good for woods navigation, a site mirror or a lensatic type is not needed.
I gave it only 3 stars because there are so many brands that are similar I can't say it is better than average, except it looks pretty cool with the colored base, and is easy to read.

The Brunton Classic Compass is a good choice for the price. It delivers everything that you'd expect from a maptop compass... plastic base, bearings marked around the housing, easily rotating needle color coded for north and south, it even has a place for a lanyard or string to be attached.
The size is just about right for either a shirt breast pocket or to be carried in the hand in the field. The adjustment for declination and graduated measurements along the edge make it a most versitle tool.
In short, I am very pleased with this unit, and will recommend it to my students in the upcoming compass orienting and map reading class I am about to teach next month.
You could do a lot worse by buying a cheaply made compass. This one works well for the right price. Thank you Amazon.

Of course this compass isn't made for exacting surveying work or the such. For that, get a super-nice expensive one. But for the average hiker, camper, or young person wanting to basically know which way is which, this is a great compass to buy.
The gradations and text is easy to read, and the compass is accurate. It even has the ability to use it on a map to determine direction to travel. I am quite pleased with this compass, and $10, I wouldn't be too disappointed if I accidentally lost it or broke it.

This is a perfect companion for basic hikes. Not fancy, easy to slip into your pocket, easy to read...it performs the job of a basic compass very well. For the price, this is an excellent buy.

This compass is just what you need if you're trying to navigate using maps. It's well made and very reasonably priced.

The compass is easy to read and is well damped by the liquid inside.

This isn't the type of compass you'd want to use for regular hiking, but it very well suited for use with maps and charts. Since it doesn't fold, you'd have a hard time putting it in your pocket.

For normal hiking, I prefer a lensatic compass. It's very easy to shoot a bearing to a landmark. Brunton makes a pretty decent unit.

I absolutely would not use this compass in my personal outdoors activities.

However, i don't believe it's intended by Brunton for "serious, reliable, no-fail" use. It's a ~$12 compass. If you're shopping for a compass you can reply on in all conditions, prepare to spend a bit more for something a little more robust. In the Brunton line-up, the 15TDCL is a good choice and the minimum i'd personally choose.

What I do like and use this compass for is to teach Basic Direction Finding and Land Navigation in conjunction with it's companion Brunton 9020G "Instruction Compass". This is an excellent pair for both the initial classroom work and then in-the-field applications (in my Basic Course, i use well-bordered areas to avoid loosing students). I've looked at/used many different compasses over the years and for my classes and students there is no better choice currently available, but it's not perfect either.

Here's what i REALLY like about this compass and why i'd buy more:
1) the degrees/headings/bearings are very well marked out
2) the "Directional Pointers" are large and easy to see/use
3) the compass is small enough to fit in everyones hand easily, but not too small for folks with big hands
4) the compass needle is well-dampened and the capsules (i have 12 of these) are free of air-bubbles
5) the baseplate is marked with both US/Imperial and Metric scales
6) the baseplate has a handy lanyard loop molded right into it's shape - very well thought out!!!
7) the baseplate is a very convenient/hi-visibility translucent green so if somehow it gets dropped it's easy to relocate
8) the compass DOES HAVE a declination adjustment
9) the price - it's very affordable and does the basic work of a compass very well

What i *DON'T* like - essentially the actual degree/headings/bearings ring - POTENTIAL EPIC FAIL AND DANGEROUS - DO NOT USE THIS COMPASS AS YOUR ONLY WILDERNESS COMPASS

1) the degree/headings/bearings ring is cheap, easily scuffed paper-type of material simply pressed into the bezel - i need to come up with a way to protect these markings otherwise epic fail
2) the degree/headings/bearings ring can fall out of the bezel - i need to come up with a way to prevent this from happening - otherwise epic fail

As my class sizes grow i may buy a few more of these, but i try not to let classes get too large. With this compass, the benefits far outweigh the compromises, but the degree/headings/bearings ring shortfall really needs to be addressed.

Again, I wouldn't use this compass in my personal outdoors activities because of the degree/headings/bearings ring. However, it's great for what i do use it for - teaching basic compass use.

EDIT: 26June2010 - I've attempted a "fix" to the degree/headings/bearings ring using clear finger nail polish to 1) seal and 2) adhere the ring in place. I anticipate success with this, but classes have been in fair-weather conditions thus far.

This `easy-to-read' compass is perfect for map and compass orienteering. It has a tool free adjustable declination for easy navigating and gives you graduations in degrees. The scale is in both inches and millimeters and the clear plastic makes for easy use on any map. Unfortunately, there is no site-mirror, which makes for a more accurate reading. It's small size and price (under $10!) makes for a simple, efficient compass when backpacking or hiking. It's a good beginner compass, but remember that you get what you pay for. For a little more money you can get a nice "Lensatic" military compass with a sighting-arm.

This an excellent, inexpensive compass which I use in the car for navigating. I understand that one needs a sighting mirror for serious work, but I just use it in the car. It has good visibility, is lightweight, accurate, and best of all, doesn't cost that much. It's cheap enough so that if I lose it, I can buy another one, and it's more than accurate enough for my needs. I like the green baseplate, which allows me to find it in low light if I drop it. The needle is quite responsive, and you don't have to jiggle the case to get it to move as in many cheap compasses. All in all a good, decent quality, inexpensive compass.