Bow riser - compass?

Rando · March 25, 2015, 05:04:00 PM

Always wanted a riser compass on my bow, just not sure where to get a reliable one... definitely don't want a failed piece of junk on a nice bow.
The goal is to save my pennies and order a Dryad Orion this fall to match the one I "lost" to my son. Would love to add a riser compass - thoughts / suggestions on a decent one, or experiences with 'em?
thanks,
Rando

JRY309 · March 25, 2015, 05:14:00 PM

Take a look at the mini compass at 3Rivers,it's liquid filled and available in two sizes.

Keith Zimmerman · March 25, 2015, 05:42:00 PM

The Nocking Point sells them. Contact Terry and Sheila. Good people.

BAK · March 25, 2015, 06:25:00 PM

I've tried the small plastic filled compass that is found at many suppliers. They are of low quality, and the plastic scratches easily. Soon they don't work and look shabby. I wouldn't use one again.

Gdpolk · March 25, 2015, 06:32:00 PM

Tru Nord. Look them up. Well worth the coin. Drill the bow with a forstner bit to have a flat bottomed whole to mount it with. I've debated adding a compass to my bow as well. If I do, I'll spring for a Tru Nord as they are simply the very best button compasses available. Most button compasses are made to be cheap backups, the Tru Nord compasses are made to be quality, but small.

shreffler · March 25, 2015, 10:15:00 PM

There's an original Waltham like was used in old Bear Compass Kodiak's still sealed in the bag over on the vintage section of the classifieds for very cheap, if I was putting one in my riser that's the one i'd want.

Hud · March 25, 2015, 10:44:00 PM

WWII survival compass are available on the big auction. Several different styles and sizes come up often.

Bowwild · March 26, 2015, 08:30:00 AM

Thanks for the tip Shreffler! I just bought that one in the Classifieds. I think it is going in a Blacktail this fall.

Bowwild · March 26, 2015, 08:37:00 AM

That Tru Nord compass in brass, stainless, or titanium looks really nice! However, at 1" diameter (approximately) it seems pretty big for putting in a recurve riser? I've had a couple of the black plastic Bear ones put in a couple bows; Silvertip and Sasquatch and I like them.

I'd upgrade to the Tru Nord in a heartbeat if I wasn't concerned about "overpowering" the look of the bow.

Anyone have a Tru Nord installed in their bow? I'd love to see a picture of this.

By the way, both bowyers when asked to put the compass in the riser resisted (mildly) but of course agreed to the customer's wishes (mine).

Bowwild · March 26, 2015, 08:59:00 AM

I just did some searching. There is a survival site called "best glide" with some pretty nice button compasses. They range from $3-$40. Don't know anything about them.

shreffler · March 26, 2015, 09:06:00 AM

No problem. I almost bought it to keep around for a future glove/bow but don't really have $40 just to stash away on a tiny compass right now haha.

Make sure to post some pictures if you put it in a blacktail! That'd look sharp.

Alex

Gdpolk · March 26, 2015, 05:16:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by Bowwild:
That Tru Nord compass in brass, stainless, or titanium looks really nice! However, at 1" diameter (approximately) it seems pretty big for putting in a recurve riser? I've had a couple of the black plastic Bear ones put in a couple bows; Silvertip and Sasquatch and I like them.

I'd upgrade to the Tru Nord in a heartbeat if I wasn't concerned about "overpowering" the look of the bow.

Anyone have a Tru Nord installed in their bow? I'd love to see a picture of this.

By the way, both bowyers when asked to put the compass in the riser resisted (mildly) but of course agreed to the customer's wishes (mine).

I guess that depends largely on riser size and location. Yes it will be large, a bit bigger than a quarter, but placed on the outside where a limb bolt may sit wouldn't be bad or affect sight picture at all. I've also thought about remaking or modifying the leather cover to my Kanati Dual Arc quiver and installing the brass Tru Nord in that so that I'd have a "bow mounted compass" without having to drill a 1" hole in the bow.

Rando · March 26, 2015, 08:25:00 PM

That's a great idea... it'd definitely be easier (on me) to modify a quiver for a compass (that could fail) than to drill a hole in an exotic piece of wood!

rendalen · March 27, 2015, 09:44:00 AM

Try this one.
PYSER-SGI SAS Survival Compass, NATO approved UK made. These are smaller.
You find them on the big site.

fujimo · March 28, 2015, 08:13:00 PM

i would be careful on a take down, with the limb hardware- could really throw things awry.
if you did put it in you would have to calculate the deviation created by the close metal proximity, and allow for it.
and the deviation will be different on different points of the compass.
on boats we use a deviation chart, for all 360* on the compass. probably not ideal to be carrying around a deviation chart,for our simplified style of hunting :D
cheers
wayne