Last Updated on April 26, 2023 by Lisa Vargas
Can you imagine standing in the middle of a dusty road not knowing which way to go because you have absolutely no idea where you are? That’s what it will be like if you don’t have a compass with you to guide your way, especially if you find yourself stuck out in the wilderness.
We wrote an earlier post that will help you determine the best compass for survival, but in today’s post we are going to focus more on what are the different types of compass and what each one can do for you.
So let’s dive right into this guide!
Two Main Categories of Compasses
When it comes to the different types of compasses, essentially there are two main types that are built differently that serve different purposes:
- Magnetic Compass – Just as it sounds, this compass has a magnetic needle or a card that will line itself with the Earth’s magnetic field so that it points to the magnetic poles of the Earth. This is the type of compass that you are used to seeing for normal, everyday use.
- Gyro Compass – The Gyro compass is quite a bit different in that it has a fast spinning wheel that interacts with the rotation of the earth until the axis of rotation is parallel with the Earth’s and points to the Earth’s rotational poles. As opposed to the magnetic compass, the Gyro compass points to the true poles of the earth. This compass is primarily used in maritime situations.
Subcategories Of Magnetic Compasses
Now that we know the two main types of compasses, let’s break the magnetic compass down into further subcategories:
- GPS Compass – The GPS compass uses satellites in a geo synchronous orbit over the Earth to show exact location and direction of movement of the bearer. There are also a lot of questions surrounding the difference between GPS and a compass. You can read that here to better understand it.
- Astro Compass – If you didn’t get the hint in the name, the astro compass is a navigational tool for determining the direction of true north through the positions of various astronomical bodies. There are certain circumstances when magnetic compasses and gyrocompasses are unreliable. These aren’t very normal and easy to come by in any store, but you can find them online if you really want one.
- Base Plate Compass (a.k.a. orienteering compass) – Baseplate compasses are very popular for backpackers, hikers, and would be great in a survival situation because they typically are lighter, simpler, and easy to navigate with. They usually have a clear baseplate, which makes them ideal for map use. The baseplate compasses typically have slightly larger capsules with longer needles, improving the readable accuracy of the compass. An orienteering compass, sometimes called a base plate compass, has the advantage of being a compass and a protractor combined.
- Solid State Compass– Small compasses found in clocks, mobile phones, and other electronic devices are solid–state microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) compasses, usually built out of two or three magnetic field sensors that provide data for a microprocessor.
- Thumb Compass – A thumb compass is a type of compass commonly used in orienteering, a sport in which map reading and terrain association are paramount. In cases of homogeneous terrain with few distinct features, a bearing between 2 known points on the map may be used. Consequently, most thumb compasses have minimal or no degree markings at all, and are normally used only to take bearings directly from a map, and to orient a map to magnetic north. And there’s one big advantage to using a thumb compass above a traditional baseplate compass – it’s faster!
- Lensatic Compass – The lensatic compass is often referred to as the military compass. The term “lensatic” comes from the fact that there is a lens on the rear side of the compass that aids in the orienteering process. The cover, the base, and the reading lens are what make up the lensatic compass.
- Marine Compass – By physical description, a “marine” compass is the dome-shaped bulb compass used by many boaters with a dial that rotates on a pivot (as opposed to a land compass that is usually circular and flat like a pocket watch, and sometimes attached to a flat base).
- Liquid Compass – A liquid compass is a compass in which the compass card and magnets rest on a pivot in a bowl filled with liquid. This method lessens excessive swing and wobble and improves readability while reducing wear.
Noteworthy Compass Brands
If you’ve done any type of research yet on the different types of compasses, you may be a little overwhelmed as to all of the brands that you can choose from. Therefore today, I wanted to narrow down the top brands that you should be considering when getting ready to buy a compass.
Suunto Compass
Made in Finland, Suunto compasses are some of the finest made in the industry. They opened their doors in 80 years ago, in 1936, and haven’t looked back since. The word “Suunto” comes from the Finnish word meaning “direction”.
Suunto makes diving instruments, maritime compasses, and orienteering compasses. As a matter of fact, in the 1980s Suunto becomes the world leader in the manufacture of diving instruments.
You can find many of their compasses and watches at Suunto Amazon store, which makes it easy and convenient to have it shipped to you quickly by the next day using Prime.
Cammenga Compass
Cammenga compasses are another top name brand that you will notice hanging around. Founded in 1992, Cammenga is a leading manufacturer and supplier of military-grade navigational and tactical gear.
Cammenga is a family owned American company whose clients include military, law enforcement and commercial markets around the world. Each product is produced in the U.S. to the highest quality standards.
Silva Compass
Silva is an amazing brand of compasses that has it’s own unique story. In 1933, Björn, Alvar and Arvid Kjellström invented the first ever liquid-filled compass. When they began, compasses had no restraints to keep the needle from swinging. Their invention made it faster and easier to use and read the compass.
Not only was it the first compass of its kind, but it also set the global standard for how navigation works upon today. Then, in 1935, they launched our first headlamp – Zeiler – and the SILVA brand was born.
Then in 1939, they made their first mirror sighting, liquid damped baseplate compass, which took the market by storm. You can easily get their baseplate compasses and lensatic compasses, which will be most valuable to you in a survival situation through Amazon.
Brunton Compass
Brunton brand compasses have been around since 1894 and are a high-end, well-respected that produces navigation devices, monoculars, and various wind, pro, and summit instruments. Even though expensive, they do have basic baseplate compasses that you can find easily on sites such as Amazon (they have everything these days!).
Often simply called a “Brunton”, the Brunton Transit compass remains the Gold Standard in areas from Geology to Forestry, Engineering and by other professionals who demand functionality, craftsmanship and durability.
Best Compass For Land Navigation
For prepping purposes, it’s always good that you have a good land navigation compass to guide you during chaotic times where you may find yourself out on the road, either by foot or in a vehicle.
If you haven’t had a chance to read about the important items in finding a good survival compass and the important things to look for, make sure you don!
I want to make sure now that you understand the different types of compasses that there are, along with some of the top brands, you now have a chance to look at the best compass for land navigation that we chose below.
And the winner is………(drum roll please)……….
SUUNTO M-3 NH Leader Compass
Military Compass
Now, if you’re looking for a more rugged, military compass, that’s a much different looking animal. If you remember from above, lensatic compasses are what the military uses. I even found this cool “how to” book from the military on how to use the Cammenga military compass.
So if you are looking for a military compass, you can easily do some research online, including reading this article, and find out all you need to know about them.
There are definitely advantages and disadvantages to the military compass versus the baseplate compass. For example, the lensatic compass used by the military is that’s it’s probably more accurate when it comes to “shooting azimuths,” meaning the act of determining the specific compass direction to a spot on the earth.
One disadvantage is that it doesn’t have the protractor, which is important when using paper maps, so you’ll have to carry a protractor with you. Not a really big deal, but some people would rather have the orienteering compass.
Last Minute Thoughts
I’m hoping this blog post has shed some light on the various brands and different types of compasses that are available to you. If you have any questions or comments please leave them below.