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Showing 1 of 6 conversations about:
Rexar5
284
Jun 20, 2018
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This is an expensive compass. Any enthusiasts care to explain to a noob who's been using a 20 dollar compass and map for backpacking why it's worth it and for whom it's worth it to buy one of these? I think they're probably not for me, but I'm really curious.
Jun 20, 2018
Beanyo
4
Jun 21, 2018
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Rexar5Read geology guy's comment below. This a surveyor or engineering tool, not just for navigation. You can get cheaper version of the same thing, but this brand is kind of the most well known.
Jun 21, 2018
Karabito
19
Jun 21, 2018
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Rexar5Actually you are better off buying a 20 - 35 dollar compass (Suunto, Brunton, other brands) from your local outdoor store. (I prefer REI since I get 10% dividend each year on purchases.) It really depends on what you will be using your compass for. I'm a hiker and occasional mountaineer and my $35 Suunto is really all that I need--Suunto MC2 Pro is like what I have but costs $56 now. I also have Garmin Fortrex 401 for occasional GEOCOORD checks. If you are like me and most people thinking of buying a compass for outdoor activities, then a simple compass with a mirror, a dial for adjusting for magnetic north (vice true north), and side rules for measuring each of the small quadrants on maps should suffice. (If you don't know how to do land navigation, I highly recommend taking a class from REI or your local outdoors club. At least you'll learn how to read a map.) Something like this Brunton compass is really designed for people doing land surveys. That's why this model has two bubble levels--though I imagine given the proliferation of GPS devices and other surveying tools that use laser this type of compass might be obsolete. I would, however, buy one just because I think it's a cool looking device.
Jun 21, 2018
Geologyguy
4
Jun 21, 2018
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Rexar5For the average hiker/hunter it’s not worth it. Nowadays you have electronics (gps) and a backup inexpensive compass in cases your electronics fail. This is a cool factor thing if you moola to burn or need it for work (e.g. geologist, surveyor, etc).
Jun 21, 2018
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