Compass ???

[Widowbender]

Lots of good info in this thread...Been using a compass at work for the last twenty years for mapping tracts of land...for use in the woods get a compass with a mirror (Silva Ranger). Its the most accurate method for taking a bearing with a handheld compass...I have two GPS units that I also use. One is Garmin Etrex Vista ($300)that is used for just hunting/general use and its small and handy. The other Is a $5k mapping unit that I use for collecting data and drawing maps. Its usually accurate down to less than 3 feet. I don't depend on either one to get me out of the woods. If you don't have above good woodsmanship/navigation skills, don't buy a gps. It will give you enough confidence in the woods to get you in trouble when it fails and IT WILL FAIL, eventually. Get a compass. Learn how to use it in conjunction with a map. And, Like Mr. LaClair said, it might help you locate that buck. A gps is a great addition, AFTER learning how to navigate with map and compass. GPS units are handy for storing all those hotspots you find. Just don't become too dependent on them...JMHO YMMV...

David

[BowHuntingFool]

I'm not big on the GPS thing! The technology is great but thats not the route I want to take! Thanks for the great links and compass ideas! I have a cheap one and wanting to upgrade and sure are some great ideas on here!

[sendero25]

I like the Silva Ranger, or any compass with a clear base.
It helps to plan the hunt if you have a map, you can lay the compass on the map and see through the clear  base to plan routes.
It also can be "aimed" like a military lensatic to take a heading.
Most are good and are worth having.

[Billy]

Won't argue with anyone's .02 on their favorite...but,
without a lite source, can you even see your compass to get a reading?
Don't wanna hi-jack the thread;
what lite source works for your chosen compass/gps?

and...could someone give a location or listing of where to attend a land nav course?

[DBerrard]

Flashlight,
Also Joe, ya may wanna check out primos buck roar call. Built in compass makes as a decent backup.

[sendero25]

Good point Billy,
I would go with a military lensatic with the tritium dial, but it still needs an external light source, like a flashlight, to "make it glow".
My lowrance GPS has a backlit screen. I'm sure most of the others do as well.
I haven't bought a new compass in quite a while so I don't know which ones have a built in light source or not.
John

[Problem Child]

What's better than a compass......two compasses.I have a Silva hanging around my neck and a pin-on in my pack.I also carry an extra lighter,cotton balls soaked in vaseline,whistle,extra 1 AAA flashlight,rope,and small emergency space blanlet.I might have to spend the night but I ain't gonna freeze.

[GingivitisKahn]

I use a small Silva compass that's built into a whistle body.  It has a magnifying glass and thermometer on it as well and most importantly, it's small enough to *always* hang around my neck when I'm out in the woods.

More importantly, I've mastered the Patrick McManus "Modified Stationary Panic".  It saves lives.

[Daddy Bear]

I have an older Swedish-made Silva-brand Ranger compass that has served me well and is superb for wilderness navigation. Silva of Sweden cut off the importation of this compass through Silva-USA in '96, and since 98, the Ranger models sold in the US are no longer Swedish-made Silva products. They are now fairly sub-standard compasses made by various low bid manufacturers with a Silva-USA label. Many are junk.

The same highly regarded Silva of Sweden Ranger can now be purchased in the US under the name Brunton Nexus Elite. Well worth the money as your life may depend on good manual navigation.

 http://www.trailspace.com/gear/brunton/nexus-elite/

[Tox Collector]

I have used a Silva Ranger for 40+ years along with a topo map of the area in which I plan to hunt.  I always draw in pencil the declination lines across the map spaced about an inch between lines     [I find it easier to use the map with the declination lines already drawn in rather than trying to adjust the compass].  It may sound a little crazy, but sometimes rather than reading a book or article as I pop off to sleep at night, I enjoy studying a topo map of areas I plan to visit, hunt or go roving in.  The map paints a story, and I can imagine where game or interesting prospects might appear.  I can also plan how I will approach and traverse the areas I want to visit.  Hard to beat a basic compass and a topo map.  My son and I periodically pick a couple of points on a map and will make a bushwhack between them.  Having said that, I have a Garmin 76CXs that I am just starting to use.  However, I will always carry my Silva Ranger and marked up topo map.  Tox Collector

[sagebrush]

I carry two compasses. One around my neck and one in the pack. I had one break one time. I also have a gps in the pack for finding stands in the dark. It has a compass on it but it is worthless. A compass and topo are my go to navigation equipment. Gary