Suunto Compass
Suunto Compass
Navigation without Batteries
A mechanical compass and a map are still the most reliable tools for navigation. Suunto compasses are easy and quick to use due to their advanced technology and thoughtful as well as their stable design.
Always the Right Solution
Suunto compasses allow you to navigate with precision even in difficult conditions. There is something for everyone in the range, from beginners to advanced.
Engineered for Precision
The compasses are made with the highest precision from the highest quality materials to offer maximum durability and accuracy.
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Professional mirror-compass with reliable functions | Professional compass with magnifier for hiking and orienteering | Lightweight clip-on micro-compass | Adventure compass for globetrotters | Versatile compass in matchbox format | Precise compass and clinometer in compact light-metal casing |
| Alignment | North | North | South | Global | North | Global |
| Accuracy | 2.5° | 2.5° | 5° | 2° | 3° | 1/3° Compass, 1/4° Clinometer |
| Scale Division | 2° | 2° | 10° | 2° | 2° | 0.5° Compass, 0.5° Clinometer |
| Scale | Metric and Imperial | Imperial | Metric | Metric and Imperial | Metric | Grad |
| Luminous Markings | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | – |
| Clinometer | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 74 g | 32 g | 5 g | 48 g | 55 g | 177 g |
| Dimensions | 65 x 101 x 18 mm | 114 x 57 x 10 mm | 30 x 24 x 11 mm | 61 x 120 x 14 mm | 67 x 47 x 22 mm | 126 x 76 x 15 mm |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 52 g / 62 g | 81 g | 72 g | 70 g | 66 g | 29 g |
| Waterproofness | 100 m | 100 m | 100 m | 50 m | 50 m | 50 m |
| Watch Glass | Sapphire Crystal | Sapphire Crystal | Mineral Glass | Gorilla Glass | Mineral Glass | Polyamide |
| Battery Life in Training Mode with GPS | Up to 170 Hours | Up to 170 Hours | Up to 170 Hours | Up to 12 hours | Up to 40 Hours | Up to 30 hours with connected GPS |
| Weather, Outdoor and Navigation Functions | Oxygen saturation, severe weather warning, sunrise and sunset, visual route navigation and waypoints | Severe weather warning, sunrise and sunset, visual route navigation and waypoints | Sunrise and sunset, Visual route navigation and waypoints | Free offline maps, Visual route navigation and waypoints, Various weather-apps via Google Play | Sunrise and sunset, Visual route navigation and waypoints | – |
| Smartwatch Functions | Notifications from the Smartphone | Notifications from the Smartphone | Notifications from the Smartphone | Notifications from the Smartphone, Complete smartphone functions through the Wear OS operating system | Notifications from the Smartphone | Notifications from the Smartphone |
| Heart-Rate Measurement | On the wrist, Compatible with Bluetooth Smart Heart Rate Straps | On the wrist, Compatible with Bluetooth Smart Heart Rate Straps | On the wrist, Compatible with Bluetooth Smart Heart Rate Straps | On the Wrist | On the wrist, Compatible with Bluetooth Smart Heart Rate Straps | On the wrist, Compatible with Bluetooth Smart Heart Rate Straps |
| Weight: | 318 Grams |
| Size: | One Size |
| Dimensions: | 10.11 x 1.8 x 6.5 cm; 74 Grams |
| Brand: | SUUNTO |
| Model: | SS004231001 |
| Colour: | White |
| Pack Quantity: | 1 |
| Batteries Included: | No |
| Manufacture: | Suunto |
| Department: | Unisex |
| Dimensions: | 10.11 x 1.8 x 6.5 cm; 74 Grams |
| Quantity: | 1 |
| Size: | One Size |
The needle on the global version has little vertical “feet” at both ends, where the clear plastic is bent up at 90 degrees, and these drag on the top side of the capsule a bit. Also, the black (south) end of the needle is much higher than the red (north) end. The whole needle is tilted down toward the red end.
I returned the global version and got another norther hemisphere version and the NH version needle is very smooth and doesn’t stick at all. I highly recommend the NH version, it is excellent. If I travel to the Southern Hemisphere I will get a dedicated SH compass rather than the global version.
So, typically in the past I bought Silve, but it appears that they’re all now Chinese, so I got this Suunoto, still made in FInland.
This is a great compass however right out of the box there was a 3/4 inch bubble, pretty large by any compass standard, and that’s why the 2 stars. I’ve ordered a replacement which should arrive tomorrow,1/15/22, then I’ll follow up with new review. BTW, for those who are wondering, I live at sea level and it was at room temperature overnight with no change.
Let me add, extremely fast delivery and instant customer service. Big 5 stars for that.
Great value and construction. Outdoor trail ing and hiking necessity.
The adjustable declination is not essential but the ability to set it and forget is worth the extra cost.
This is within a degree of the readings I get on a Brunton Transit or a M-73 compass. It is easy to read at night if light is shone on it briefly. The bezel turns smoothly and there are no bubbles or sticking. The only concerns are that the plastic latch on the mirror probably will not last many years and the declanation adjustment is hard to be precise. Overall, I prefer it to the Silva Ranger.
Problem is not with compass, but with seller. The very web page (from Amazon AU site) does not specify if compass is for south or north hemisphere; at least, I have failed to find relevant info. Considering that it was purchased from Australian Amazon – Australia being south – and that delivery address is New Zealand – also south – I took for granted that SH variant of compass will be delivered.
That was not so. I have received NH variant. It works, but needle positions at angle, where tip is touching compass case, and does not move freely – unless you keep whole compass at slight angle. Repacked and returned same day (Amazon return policy and service are great, must say – simple process, no questions asked, all paperwork provided). Once it is back with seller and my valet is credited, I will reorder global variant of this compass.
Great global compass for the price. I read a variety of reviews and watched several YouTube videos and everyone recommended this compass. Not only can you get a bearing on this compass, you can estimate distance and even tell the time. In addition of course you can set your declination and estimate inclination with it as well. It can also be used as an emergency signaling mirror! And since it is a global compass, you can use it in all of your travels throughout the world!
Fantastic compass for the Northern Hemisphere. Only minor complaint is the adjustment for the magnetic declination is on the bottom and would have been more convenient on the top, but not the end of the world.
Very durable, high quality compass. I own 4, one for each of my kids. They are learning the importance of a compass when in the forest. I’ve owned Silva rangers, 3 of them, each developed problems, bubbles, needle reversed and pointed south,,, not kidding,,, this happened to 2 of them. Gave up on Silva
The literature indicated the MC-2 compass was provided with non-skid footpads to prevent sliding around while determing the bearing on maps. The baseplate had the recesses for the footpads, but none were installed. Otherwise, the compass was as advertised and looks to be good quality.
Trs bonne qualit, l’inclinaison de la pente est trs prcise, ajustement de la dclinaison magntique assez facile faire avec la petite cl fournie, en plus le coffret noir protge la boussole. Le colis tait en parfait tat.
Was teaching a Search and Rescue class for beginners. Used this for a BNAV course and it was great! To teach them how to ‘keep red in the shed’ was good and boosted their confidence! I recommend having a few different compasses in a go-bag and highly recommend one like this! Thanks!
This is a mirrored compass that is designed to give you accurate directions. I liked the ease of adjusting the declination making it very useful when travelling to different countries. The compass markings glow in the dark making it pretty easy to get your bearings and keep you going in the right direction. The size is quite compact. The only real criticism I have is that the metal mirror is quite cheaply made and will probably be a bit to easy to bend. Overall a nice compass with good value for the money.
Le matriaux principal est certes en plastique mais cela a l’air solide. Les graduations rouges sur la plaque sont simplement imprimes, pas graves, au verso de la plaque ( voir la durabilit mais cela ne m’inquite pas outre mesure).
This is a great baseplate compass for navigation. It is easy to use and has a lot of great features. The mirrored version offers more versatility and makes it easier to sight in objects when navigating.
This compass came highly recommended and I can see why. It has all the features needed to get you there and back. A little ( a lot ) practice around the neighborhood and I should be good to go!
Beautiful compass…..everything perfect except that the bezel is quite rigged and stiff compared to other compasses that I’ve tried….so I’m not quite sure why this is….other than that, the compass is perfec
1. They advertise as Suunto MC-2
But this Suunto MC-2 has many models with different CONFIGURATIONS and STYLEs and each one has its own part number, you have to high light the one you select to get the right part number and price to buy. They have those configurations and styles there, if you miss this step to select the one you want you will make a mistake See my photo #2 part number on box #3 that I selected and got the right one.
2. Mirror cover and base plate lock up too tight…. you are right but it is just the plastic ( the lighter color plastic ) on the cover that is a little plum- use the tip of a knife to shave a little out and it open and close finely. See picture#1
3. The unit works very well, you have to have map, use the compass N to find the N on earth, place the map to align N to match with the Compass N then ready for you to select your target area on paper map and then use your compass plate as a rule to draw a line from where you are as point A to your target as point B by this step you should know the direction of travel and the degree you will go then turn the ring to place that degree to line up with the red arrow on the base plate to the center line of the mirror that you will need to guide you while maintain MN arrow in the red N box that point to N. Turn your self to get that red arrow in box as said then travel the direction the painted arrow on the plate to to the degree on the ring and the mirror then walk by maintaining the MN in the box if you side step your direction the MN arrow will be out of the red N box turn yourself to put that MN arrow back in red N box to correct your direction and move on that is compass work… Remember that there will not have an arrow guiding you to your target…
Although the compass seems well made, it seems to be extremely sensitive to being exactly flat to operate smoothly. The instructions are long, printed in an extremely small font and pretty useless to take in the field the first few time. I would suggest a plastic card with the main points. There was a lanyard but the directions do not include how it is to be correctly attached. For a device this expensive, I was overall disappointed.
If you’re lost and using the four directions distance variations to find some evidence of your original trail or a way out, again, accuracy and being able to walk a straight line (with pace beads or other distancing method) this is the tool you would want.
A compass is only a tool, one has to know how to use it properly. Just like a Dremel or sewing machine, it can frustrate you or really help you if you have the basic skill set.
I have tried a few other brands and types of compasses, I always find myself grabbing the MC-2 or MC-2G to really get a bearing on where I’m at or where I’m going, or how to get back to where I started.
Cons: It’s not cheap!! The lettering can wear after years of use (I ended up getting a perfect fitting neoprene zip pouch for mine, no more rubbing or bouncing around in my backpack. I wish it were a little more rugged, although I have never broken one or had an air bubble occur.
Pro’s Declination setting (and tool on the lanyard), Accuracy, Mirror for seeing the needle when using the sight notch.
Overall; preferred by most Bushcraft instructors and serious wilderness travelers, that’s a solid endorsement. Simple enough for anyone to use with minimal navigation skills (a YouTube video or two, and you can effectively navigate, no math required with this compass!).
If you like a base plate compass, this is the way to go. Good quality, costs more than others but you get what you pay for. I recommend it even if it’s your first compass because it works really well in the field. My alternate compass would be a genuine Commenga brand for advanced field work.
Accuracy won’t know until I actually use. Easy to use? Not when setting the declination unless it is a known value already. So easy to read a 2nd Lt in the Marines couldn’t fubar it.
It Looks good. It’s my husbands and he wouldn’t admit if he knew how to work it or not. There seems to be a few things you have to do to set it depending on where you live. So I have no idea if it works, guess I’ll just wait to see if he gets lost in the woods!
We recently did a map and compass course and I used my Suunto and a team supplied Silva (older model Silva Rangers). Honestly, both are great compasses. There are some minor differences I took note of.
The Silva Ranger has its declination adjuster screw on the top side which is nice. Suunto is on the bottom and personally, I would have preferred it on the the top side.
The Suunto has way more luminance surface area, especially the dial. I feel this would be much easier to read in low light conditions, not to mention reassuring in the deep dark woods.
The Suunto also has a neat sighting feature. There is a cut-out on the cover by the hinge point, that lies on the sight line. This allows you to see directly in front of you while maintaining a course with the compass up.
All of these differences are not deal breakers and I’d be happy to have any dependable compass in the bush.
Our GSAR is considering updating our teams compasses and the Suunto MC-2 is being looked at as a possible replacement.
It works great and is the perfect tool for land nav, a skill any outdoor enthusiast should know. The adjustable declination is really helpful, just make sure you dial it in with the correct value.
I would recommend a separate grid protractor as the one on the compass can be a little tough to use accurately.
Dont forget about your declination (adjustment) or magnetic North will throw you off true North 100% of the time. Hint: Toronto is currently a 10W adjustment. The old saying is East is least (subtract), West is best (add). Therefore, for example, if you have a 90 degree reading in Toronto, you must then add 10 degrees since the Toronto declination is 10W, so your new & accurate bearing is 100 degrees. If you dont adjust for declination you will be off 100% of the time. My personal preference is to mentally work the math versus messing with the declination adjustment on the compass. Google “Isogonia chart”, then click on Google images and you will find worldwide declination charts. FYI: the declination number will change every couple of decades. The bottom of your map will last say when declination was calculated. Also, if you are oblivious to “Triangulation” with a compass its worth your while to make the effort to learn.
If you care about compasses, just buy this Suunto from Amazon.ca – this is a work of art.
Beim MC-2G handelt es sich um einen Hybridkompass, welcher die Vorteile eines reinen Kartenkompass (Transparente Bodenplatte) und einem Peilkompass vereint. Dies schafft er meiner Meinung nach auch sehr gut.
Ich habe mich fr die 6400 Strich Variante entschieden, da ich bei der Bundeswehr diese ebenfalls nutze. Es gestaltet sich meiner Meinung nach einfacher mit 64 zu arbeiten (Bspw. Beim umgehen von Hindernissen) als mit 360. Anzumerken ist allerdings das die Deklinationskorrektur in Grad eingestellt wird.
Die Problematik mit den unterschiedlich hohen bzw. eingelassenen Gummifssen kann ich nicht nachvollziehen. Da es nur drei Fe sind, ist es eigentlich total egal ob einer hher ist oder nicht. Wackeln tut dort definitiv nichts wenn man nicht eine Seite belastet.
Etwas schade finde ich allerdings das sich die Kompassdose etwas schwer drehen lsst. Vielleicht ist es nur mein persnliches Empfinden, was ich aber nicht glaube. Ich besitze mit diesem Kompass jetzt den vierten Kompass berhaupt. Alle von namhaften Herstellern wie Silva, Recta oder Breithaupt und muss sagen bei allen dreht die Dose etwas leichter.
Auch das oft angesprochene Axialspiel an der Dose selbst ist tatschlich vorhanden. Allerdings hlt es sich im Rahmen und somit auch in der Toleranz der Herstellerangabe.
on the side of the cover there are lines to measure the angle of the slope using contour lines on the map. near the lines there are markings of the degree and the hight they should be used with. unfortunately this tool doesnt says how much you have to add for distance on that kind of slope (hint on a 45 degree slope you have to add 40meters on every 100m, easy math). the attached picture shows the metric side of those markings, on the other side are the imperial sizes.
the mirror is good and you can really fine tune the barring when using it. take notice that its almost impossible to put the entire image of the bazel ring in the mirror when taking a barring, but you can still compensate for that using the other side ‘dog house’.
i gave 5 stars because i find the two ‘problems’ minor and irrelevant for the fractioning of the instrument itself
Ho acquistato questa bussola nel settore delle occasioni, pagandola circa la met del prezzo a nuovo. La bussola si presenta molto bene, la sensazione di solidit. Il liquido smorza subito le oscillazioni dell’ago, che oltretutto globale, quindi tra l’altro dovrebbe risentire meno anche della inclinazione dello strumento sul piano orizzontale.
Ho avuto modo di effettuare alcuni rilievi di prova, l’impressione di precisione, lo strumento permette misurazioni accurate, soprattutto dopo averci preso un po’ la mano. Ho paragonato i valori trovati con quelli di un’altra bussola – da rilievo con lettura a prisma – e sono del tutto sovrapponibili.
Purtoppo le scale riportate sul corpo trasarente sono quelle anglosassoni, e questo potrebbe essere un limite nell’uso cartografico, ma dopotutto lo sapevo al momento dell’acquisto e non un problema grave.
Quadrante ampio, comodo da leggere e accurato nella realizzazione della scala graduata (la bussola nel suo complesso accuratamente progettata).
Ago compensato per l’uso globale: non strettamente necessario per chi rimane nell’emisfero Nord, tuttavia la compensazione globale rende l’ago pi “stabile” nel suo utilizzo.
Amazon per dovrebbe garantire che le foto dell’oggetto mostrato in rete corrispondano all’oggetto reale. Nel mio caso la bussola dotata di scale anglosassoni anzich scale metriche come indicato nella foto. Il funzionamento della bussola assolutamente indipendente da questo, ma chi vuole usare anche le scale sulla carta deve stare attento ad acquistare il modello con scale metriche (che per costa di pi!!???)
Wie alle skandinavischen Kompasse, die ich bisher gesehen habe, hat auch der MC-2 eine Markierung auf der Dose, welche die gesamte Nadel umschliesst. Man kann also beim Peilen die Ausrichtung der Nadel ueber ihre gesamte Laenge beurteilen, denn durch den Paralaxenfehler muss sie nicht genau in der Mitte zwischen den Markierungen stehen, sondern exzentrisch und parallel dazu. Die Markierung fuer die Nadel ist kraeftig und auch in der Daemmerung beim Peilen noch gut zu sehen.
Der Kompass hat unten im Spiegel ein Sichtfenster zum noch genaueren Peilen. Wenn man ueber das obere Ende des Spiegels peilt und den Kompass dabei nicht ganz gerade haelt, schleicht sich schnell ein Messfehler ein.
Die mitgelieferte Schnur ist mir zu kurz, ich habe sie ersetzt. Die Schnur sollte so lang sein, dass sie gespannt ist, wenn man sie um den Nacken legt und den Arm fast ganz ausgestreckt hat. So hat man die laengste Visierlinie beim Peilen und haelt den Kompass durch die gespannte Schnur ruhig. Dem komischen schwarzen Plastikding, dass die Schnur am Kompass befestigen soll traue ich nicht: Ab in die Rundablage damit und dann ein Kreuzknoten.
Die Nadel ist rot und schwarz, d.h. man kann die beiden Enden auch gut auseinander halten, wenn man im Dunkeln fuer die Kartenarbeit eine Rotlichtlampe verwendet. Eine Nadel, die rot und weiss ist, wuerde unter Rotlicht an beiden Enden gleich aussehen.
Die Schraube fuer den Deklinationsausgleich ist auf der Unterseite. Das ist schon recht unpraktisch, wenn man die Missweisung nach dem Missweisungs-Diagramm auf der Karte einstellen will, denn dafuer man muss den Kompass auf das Diagramm auflegen und die Schraube so lange verstellen, bis die entsprechenden Markierungen von Kompass und Diagramm uebereinstimmen. Mit einem Kompass, der die Schraube auf der Oberseite hat, ist das in 5s erledigt ohne ihn mehrfach umdrehen und wieder auflegen zu muessen bis es passt.
Der Kompass hat keine Globalnadel, aber man muss schon sehr weit nach Sueden kommen, bevor die Nadel eines qualitativ hochwertigen Kompasses haengen bleibt. Fuer die meisten Leute sicher kein Nachteil.
Ganz klare Kaufempfehlung, einer der besten Kompasse, den ich kenne. Und wie jeder andere Kompass funktioniert er auch dann noch, wenn der Duracell Hase schon laengst stehen geblieben ist.
Am besten gleich zusammen mit der Bibel “Orientierung mit Karte, Kompass, GPS” von Wolfgang Linke bestellen.