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 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
 General Sailing Forum
 Handheld Illuminated Compass		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts
Initially Posted - 07/27/2014 :  08:20:32  Show Profile  Visit britinusa's Homepage
We're both working on our navigation skills.

I'm used to using the Ritchie Compass at the Helm, but that's a rough bearing (translating direction of target to compass)

We're looking for a Handheld Bearing Compass and wondered what the crew uses/recommend/loves/hates!

First find on the web at West Marine is the Davis Instruments Illuminated Handheld pistol grip compass.

Picky requirements/considerations:
.. Must be easy to read (ie. no micro numerals)
.. Must have Illumination for night bearings.
.. Easy to use
.. Floats (but could always add a floating tether.

Paul
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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts
Response Posted - 07/27/2014 :  13:14:44  Show Profile  Visit delliottg's Homepage
We use a Vion Mini that I found on CL a couple of years back for $40. [url="https://www.starpath.com/catalog/accessories/HP2.htm"]Starpath sells them for $115[/url].

We use it more for determining whether another vessel is going to cross ahead or behind us than for navigation.

It's easy to read (magnified dial), has illumination (you have to "charge" it with a flashlight or something before hand). Rita likes it because it's intuitive to use. The only thing that doesn't meet your criteria is it doesn't float. But it's got a lanyard, so it'd be easy to attach a floaty to is.

I also have an older style Davis(?) hand bearing compass with a pistol grip, but have never actually used it on the boat. Bought it off of Ebay years ago and it sits in my closet. It needs the fluid topped up, but is otherwise completely functional.
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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3754 Posts
Response Posted - 07/27/2014 :  20:07:28  Show Profile
The Davis is a little bulky for storage, but it works better than thee pucks for me, much easier to aim and read.. Now I generally use the lighted bearing compass in my binoculars for piloting. And no, they don't float. They are as bright and sharp as the $600 toys for $200 on sale, but do have some distortion near the edge.. I can stay in the middle 90% of theFOV for the $400 price deference.
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.