The Suunto A-30 NH Metric is an entry-level orienteering compass that delivers straightforward, metric-focused markings and a rugged, no-frills design at a low cost. It is the most budget-friendly option compared with the higher-featured Silva and Suunto M-3 models, providing an economical way for newcomers to learn navigation without paying for advanced race-oriented or sighting-specific hardware.
Compact, pocketable
Metric scales
Compact, pocketable
Metric scales
Review Summary
"The Suunto A‑30 NH Metric is seen as a straightforward, dependable beginner compass with a sturdy baseplate and easy‑to‑read markings; buyers like its simplicity and consistent needle action. Long‑term users appreciate the value, though some wish for a mirrored sighting option for precision tasks."
Classroom-proof — kid-tough
Metric-scaled transparent baseplate optimized for map reading and plotting.
Classroom-proof — kid-tough
Metric-scaled transparent baseplate optimized for map reading and plotting.
Skill Development & Mastery
Recreational Enjoyment
The Suunto A-30 NH Metric is an entry-level orienteering compass that delivers straightforward, metric-focused markings and a rugged, no-frills design at a low cost. It is the most budget-friendly option compared with the higher-featured Silva and Suunto M-3 models, providing an economical way for newcomers to learn navigation without paying for advanced race-oriented or sighting-specific hardware.
Compact, pocketable
Metric scales
Classroom-proof — kid-tough
Metric-scaled transparent baseplate optimized for map reading and plotting.
Rotating bezel and liquid-damped needle for stable bearings and straightforward use.
Compact, pocketable
Metric scales
Classroom-proof — kid-tough
Metric-scaled transparent baseplate optimized for map reading and plotting.
Rotating bezel and liquid-damped needle for stable bearings and straightforward use.
The Sportneer Military Lensatic Sighting Compass is a market-leading value pick that balances solid metal construction and reliable sighting at a very affordable price. Compared with the higher-cost Cammenga it sacrifices tritium and some precision tolerances, yet it offers better budgetary appeal than premium models and is a strong choice for recreational users or large-quantity procurement.
Affordable rugged
Fast sighting
Affordable rugged
Fast sighting
Review Summary
"Good value for budget buyers with reasonably accurate readings and solid construction for the price; some users report occasional alignment issues and a lower-quality finish compared with military-grade compasses."
Hawk-eyed sight
Sighting lens and thumb loop enable stable, quick azimuth readings.
Hawk-eyed sight
Sighting lens and thumb loop enable stable, quick azimuth readings.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
The Sportneer Military Lensatic Sighting Compass is a market-leading value pick that balances solid metal construction and reliable sighting at a very affordable price. Compared with the higher-cost Cammenga it sacrifices tritium and some precision tolerances, yet it offers better budgetary appeal than premium models and is a strong choice for recreational users or large-quantity procurement.
Affordable rugged
Fast sighting
Hawk-eyed sight
Sighting lens and thumb loop enable stable, quick azimuth readings.
Glow-in-the-dark markings (photoluminescent) that recharge from light sources.
Affordable rugged
Fast sighting
Hawk-eyed sight
Sighting lens and thumb loop enable stable, quick azimuth readings.
Glow-in-the-dark markings (photoluminescent) that recharge from light sources.
The Brunton TruArc 20 is a budget-friendly sighting mirror compass that emphasizes straightforward functionality, low weight and excellent price-to-performance for hikers and backcountry travelers. It lacks some advanced features like a global needle or high-end clinometer capability found on the Suunto and Silva expedition models, but its economical construction and dependable bearings make it the practical choice for cost-conscious users who still need mirror-sighting capability.
Compact precision
Built-in clinometer
Compact precision
Built-in clinometer
Review Summary
"The Brunton TruArc 20 is frequently praised as an accurate, affordable sighting mirror compass with a large clear baseplate; criticisms are mostly about its lightweight plastic feel and limited extra features. Users report consistent performance over long-term outdoor use for the price."
Hiking sidekick
Affordably priced sighting mirror compass that provides accurate bearings for day hikes.
Hiking sidekick
Affordably priced sighting mirror compass that provides accurate bearings for day hikes.
Skill Development & Mastery
Time-Saving Convenience
Recreational Enjoyment
The Brunton TruArc 20 is a budget-friendly sighting mirror compass that emphasizes straightforward functionality, low weight and excellent price-to-performance for hikers and backcountry travelers. It lacks some advanced features like a global needle or high-end clinometer capability found on the Suunto and Silva expedition models, but its economical construction and dependable bearings make it the practical choice for cost-conscious users who still need mirror-sighting capability.
Compact precision
Built-in clinometer
Hiking sidekick
Affordably priced sighting mirror compass that provides accurate bearings for day hikes.
Lightweight, sealed capsule for quick needle stabilization and reliable performance.
Compact precision
Built-in clinometer
Hiking sidekick
Affordably priced sighting mirror compass that provides accurate bearings for day hikes.
Lightweight, sealed capsule for quick needle stabilization and reliable performance.
$30-55 CAD
Coghlan's Deluxe Map Compass is a budget-friendly, no-frills pocket map compass aimed at casual users and occasional map reading, often featuring a simple baseplate, magnifier, and ruler at a very accessible price. It is the most cost-effective choice on this list for bulk or entry-level purchasers, providing acceptable functionality for general orientation while lacking the refined needle damping and long-term durability of Silva and Suunto models.
Large baseplate
Magnifier feature
Large baseplate
Magnifier feature
Review Summary
"Users of Coghlan's Deluxe Map Compass value its low cost and useful map-reading features, but longer-term owners often report the needle and housing can be less precise and wear faster than premium compasses. It’s regarded as good value for occasional navigation, not for heavy-duty or professional use. "
Built for family trips
Clear baseplate with map scales and protractor features for accurate map work.
Built for family trips
Clear baseplate with map scales and protractor features for accurate map work.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Skill Development & Mastery
Coghlan's Deluxe Map Compass is a budget-friendly, no-frills pocket map compass aimed at casual users and occasional map reading, often featuring a simple baseplate, magnifier, and ruler at a very accessible price. It is the most cost-effective choice on this list for bulk or entry-level purchasers, providing acceptable functionality for general orientation while lacking the refined needle damping and long-term durability of Silva and Suunto models.
Large baseplate
Magnifier feature
Built for family trips
Clear baseplate with map scales and protractor features for accurate map work.
Built-in magnifier helps read fine map detail while navigating.
Large baseplate
Magnifier feature
Built for family trips
Clear baseplate with map scales and protractor features for accurate map work.
Built-in magnifier helps read fine map detail while navigating.
The Silva Ranger 2.0 Global is tailored for fieldwork and search-and-rescue style navigation, featuring a large, readable baseplate, magnifier and a stable global needle for quick, accurate bearings across hemispheres. It competes with the Expedition model on practical field features but often presents a more user-friendly layout for professionals who need fast orientation, offering a middle ground between premium Suunto sighting compasses and the budget Brunton option.
Pro-grade stability
Large baseplate
Pro-grade stability
Large baseplate
Review Summary
"Most users find the Ranger 2.0 to be a durable, accurate, and affordable global baseplate compass with practical features; some mention minor needle stability issues at extreme latitudes and wear on markings over long-term use."
Map-magnet flair
All-purpose global needle compass with clear baseplate and practical map scales.
Map-magnet flair
All-purpose global needle compass with clear baseplate and practical map scales.
Skill Development & Mastery
Recreational Enjoyment
Time-Saving Convenience
The Silva Ranger 2.0 Global is tailored for fieldwork and search-and-rescue style navigation, featuring a large, readable baseplate, magnifier and a stable global needle for quick, accurate bearings across hemispheres. It competes with the Expedition model on practical field features but often presents a more user-friendly layout for professionals who need fast orientation, offering a middle ground between premium Suunto sighting compasses and the budget Brunton option.
Pro-grade stability
Large baseplate
Map-magnet flair
All-purpose global needle compass with clear baseplate and practical map scales.
Integrated features like magnifier, declination adjustment, and luminescent markings.
Pro-grade stability
Large baseplate
Map-magnet flair
All-purpose global needle compass with clear baseplate and practical map scales.
Integrated features like magnifier, declination adjustment, and luminescent markings.
The Silva Expedition S is a premium expedition-grade clinometer compass designed for extreme environments, combining a robust sighting mirror, global needle design, and clear clinometer graduations to handle polar or high-latitude navigation where magnetic deviations are a concern. It offers a higher-end alternative to the Ranger 2.0 with enhanced durability and global reliability, sitting between the Suunto MC-2 in day-to-day versatility and the Suunto PM-5/360 in expedition-focused ruggedness and specialty use, appealing to users who need both precision and resilience in demanding conditions.
Metal housing
Sighting mirror
Metal housing
Sighting mirror
Review Summary
"The Silva Expedition S is liked for its robust construction, global needle performance, and clear sighting features, making it a favorite among serious hikers and expedition users; some users find it bulkier than simpler compasses. Overall it’s viewed as a trustworthy expedition instrument."
Night-ready grin
Rugged mirror-sighting design and solid baseplate built to withstand harsh expedition conditions.
Night-ready grin
Rugged mirror-sighting design and solid baseplate built to withstand harsh expedition conditions.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Time-Saving Convenience
The Silva Expedition S is a premium expedition-grade clinometer compass designed for extreme environments, combining a robust sighting mirror, global needle design, and clear clinometer graduations to handle polar or high-latitude navigation where magnetic deviations are a concern. It offers a higher-end alternative to the Ranger 2.0 with enhanced durability and global reliability, sitting between the Suunto MC-2 in day-to-day versatility and the Suunto PM-5/360 in expedition-focused ruggedness and specialty use, appealing to users who need both precision and resilience in demanding conditions.
Metal housing
Sighting mirror
Night-ready grin
Rugged mirror-sighting design and solid baseplate built to withstand harsh expedition conditions.
Integrated clinometer scale enables incline and slope assessments for route and safety decisions.
Metal housing
Sighting mirror
Night-ready grin
Rugged mirror-sighting design and solid baseplate built to withstand harsh expedition conditions.
Integrated clinometer scale enables incline and slope assessments for route and safety decisions.