Discussion: Request thumb compass recomendation

I am going to buy a thumb compass and I am looking for some recommendations. I am a slow orienteer because I only walk and jog the courses. I hope to be a stronger runner soon. My budget is tight.

1. Should I buy Brunton or Moscompass?
2. What kind of bezel should I buy: multi-colored, numerical degree gradient, or unadorned?

Perhaps someone has a used thumb compass that they would sell to me?

Thanks.
Todd

I recommend trying out some thumb compasses to see which one you like. I'm sure people at local meets would be willing to show you theirs... you might have to wait for a big meet to find a vendor selling compasses, but definitely try them on and try reading a map while walking/jogging. You might find that you aren't that picky - anything with a needle that points north might do the trick.

Purchased two last weekend:
- Moscow XR+ with the model 5 compass - for me.
- Moscow XR with the model 22 compass - for my daughter.

I need and enjoyed the magnifier, and she was well suited with hers.

In that line, I'd suggest the 22 compass because you say you have a budget and it does fine for a less hectic pace that you say you have.

Pick the base you like best - either thumb with or without the tip. (I preferred the XR over the R, and found it natural to use) And if you hate the Left thumb plate you can always remove the compass and install it upside down - and everything will be the same except the base markings will be on the other side.

My feelings: all you need is a simple needle that points north. Anything else is irrelevant decoration. The needle should have the properties that allow it to point north quickly and stay there, which all of the top-end compasses do. I've been very pleased with the Moscow products except that they tend to develop bubbles, especially if you take them to altitude. Nevertheless, they're what I use. I initially bought one because they were the only ones made to wear on the right hand, which is where I want mine, but I think right-hand thumb compasses are now available from the other manufacturers as well.

Do not use a compass that comes mounted in a little tire, that you won at the ring-toss booth at the church fair.

I bought my first Moscow compass back about 92-94, when I believe they hit the US market. Other than a slight dull appearance due use, and a few little scratches it works great and has been virtually indestructible. I have rogained with it, adventured raced, not to mention a lot of orienteering. Although there is nothing wrong with it I recently bought another one as a backup. I recommend the Model 3 it comes with ether right or left base plate.

I agree with Ghost, I've had Moscows since they appeared and they're awesome! Especially the right hand ones, that is not to say the left hand ones don't work equally as well... :-) Also, I've never had a bubble form in mine, and I've had it in Adventure Races at over 10,000 feet.

I've got Moscow because it's cheap.
If you say you are slow I think it's more than enough..
Would buy Silva if money wouldn't be a problem..

Thanks for the recommendations. I am now leaning towards the Moscompass Model 5R with no colors or numbers on the bezel.

Does any one strongly recommend the Spectra-style Rainbow coloration of the bezel? If not, I'll go with the simple, clear model.

JanetT pointed out this old thread about a week or so ago, and I'll mention it again, particularly the section about deciding whether you want a right- or left-handed compass. I want the compass in the hand I use to thumb the map. All the newer Moscow compasses can be changed to the other hand by removing the capsule and inserting it from the other side of the plate, although the paint will be on the wrong side of the plastic.

Make sure you get a compass with a damped needle. My preference is for the Spectra Jet and I use the Spectra graduations.

I really like the spectra system, if you take any long bearings, and not just use the compass to orient your map it is very handy. You take the first bearing, and remember the section, when you need to check it you just make sure the needle is still pointing to the section, I used to used a compass with the degree markings in a similar fashion, but i don't think it would be as easy with no markings at all as I see on some compasses. Any thoughts?

I think the colors seem like a good idea. But the less expensive Moscompass version of the Spectra coloration does not have the colors all the way around the bezel. I wonder why that is? I suppose sometimes the capsule must be rotated in order get a color section aligned with the northern end of the needle. With the Spectra, I assume that you never have to rotate the capsule, is that correct?

Thats right, actually the capsule on my compass is fixed and won't allow you to rotate it if you wanted. I think, with only half coloured, you could just remember which section the south end is pointing to, I dont know though, I have not used these compasses myself although I have seen them. My compass actually has east, west north and south markings on it, but the east and west are switched, so that when you align the north end of the need with the E you are heading east, but if north is on N, and you move in the direction of the E you would be going west, so if you want to go West you point north to W and go, i thought this was clever.

N
E W
S

instead of

N
WE
S

Perhaps I'll save my money for a Spectra.

Thanks everyone for your advice.

i gotta spectra the other day and it hasnt let me down yet :D

Im about to buy the Brunton 6 Spectra

I ended up buying a Moscow Compass with no markings on the bezel. I have been very happy with it. When I see the Suunto Arrow I get a little jealous of its smaller size and weight, but the Moscow is durable in the price is right. That Spectra is quite pricey and I personally like the simplicity of no bearing markings.

Weight? Huh? Do you feel that thw Moscow weighs enough that it makes some difference? At a whopping 35 grams, mine doesn't seem to slow me down much, or make my arm tired.

zachT and other u know this was started 2years ago now....

Weight? Huh? Do you feel that thw Moscow weighs enough that it makes some difference? At a whopping 35 grams, mine doesn't seem to slow me down much, or make my arm tired.

I was talking nuance here. As an avid orienteer, I am interested in the details of my kit. I don't think my compass slows me down, or makes me tired. I just think that something a little smaller and lighter would be more to my taste, fit better in my hand, and cover up less of the map.

I can't imagine anybody gaining or losing a significant advantage due to compass selection (assuming that one is using some competition worthy device and not a crappy kid's compass). However, mindset is a funny thing and having the compass you like the most is worth it simply to eliminate excuses. The difference between the cheapest and most expensive competition compasses is less than $100. With the average A-meet weekend setting you back several times that, I wouldn't think price should be much of a consideration.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned on this thread is the use of a magnifier. Having a little extra plastic beyond the minimum needed to place your thumb makes it easier to bolt one on. I use the Spectra and got the magnifier made for it, but found it a bit fragile. I've since mounted the Moscow magnifier (which uses a post drilled into the base) and it seems sturdier.

Something else I don't see mentioned. Different brands of thumb compasses are set at differing angles to your thumb. (the angle between your thumb and the direction of travel line in the compass). When I first started using a thumb compass, I bought a moscow compass. Used it for years, but still had worse problems with drift than I would like. Then I read an ONA article by Larry Berman about the angle issue. I checked mine. It turned out that when I held my hand naturally, the compass just wasn't in line with my direction of travel. In order to get it that way, I had to consciously twist my wrist. So the next time I had a chance, I tried all of the different models to pick the one that most closely aligned with my natural thumb and hand angle. It's a suunto.

That's interesting. The only compass I've ever had that problem with was the only Suunto I've ever owned.

Larry told me that the Spectras are no longer being imported into the US, so your choice will shortly be Suunto vs Moscow only once all the vendors use up their old Spectra stock.

All Moscow compasses seem to develop that bubble in Calgary, altitude 1000m. I expect Denver must be way worse!

My recommendation is to orienteer a year without any compass (except maybe in pocket for emergency only). That way you will rapidly develop your map reading skills ...and your ability to run a straight line using shadows - yours and the trees'.

>>"...and your ability to run a straight line using shadows - yours and the trees'"

I'll keep that in mind the next time I run the long night leg during Tiomila.

Spectras are no longer being imported into the US

I am surprised to hear this. Is the market in the US for high end orienteering gear really that poor?

From Bill: "My recommendation is to orienteer a year without any compass"

Even though many beginners rely too heavy on bearing and pace count, I feel that with 'no compass', beginners will learn to orienteer carefully and very slowly (or very lost-ly). I do use sun and shadows - when they're around.

For beginners (and me), focussing on matching map to ground is much easier and thus faster when compass keeps map oriented north. Every now and then, training without a compass is a good way to test exactly what role a compass plays for you and to analyze when you tend to over-use or under-use it.

your choice will shortly be Suunto vs Moscow

or just order the Spectra over the web.

Certainly your orienteering will get worse before it gets better when you put the compass away. This is temporary and may last about 8 weeks. Sure the compass is useful, at night and in snowstorms (Barebones 2008) - but also to get yourself started in a straight direction - say when leaving a control or entering a bland or overly detailed area that you want to run straight through. Once facing the right way, note your shadow (if sun behind) or the shadow of the trees (if sun in front) and maintain the angle of the shadow with your line of travel. I typically add the compass back into my routine about 2 weeks before the Canadian Championships. Still, I don't look at it that often.

I have run a fair amount without a compass. If you are going to do this for training, then using the sun a lot is kind of missing the point. Instead pay more attention to the map. To orient the map without a compass, you will usually need to be constantly looking around for multiple features and paying close attention to their relative positions. This is great concentration and map-reading practice.

Point made Ken, and yes this is how it happens most of the time.

My digression into shadows was an example of how a compass would actually slow you down if you kept looking at it when trying to run fast, in a straight line, through some trees, with no handrail in sight. I'll run a test with some mates this summer and report back.

or just order the Spectra over the web

Don't do that without specifying where you want to use it. Compass needles are balanced for the vertical component of the earth's magnetic field which pulls one end down. Roughly speaking, it varies with latitude.