Gearing up - Compass?

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norm
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Location: Stoughton, MA

Gearing up - Compass?

Post by norm »

I don't see doing any long trips out of site of land, and I do already carry a GPS most of the time, but I was wondering if I should bother getting a deck compass? My thinking is that it might be handy for staying on a bearing if you get stuck out in the fog - the GPS can be a pain to see and fiddle with while paddling whereas the deck compass should be more easily visible.

I came across a couple fairly cheap compass models while searching for a waterproof camera bag:
http://www.thecompassstore.com/51orcay.html and
http://www.thecompassstore.com/nightquest.html

Any opinions out there? Is this a waste of money?

Thanks for any insight,
Norm
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Mark
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Location: South Weymouth

Re: Gearing up - Compass?

Post by Mark »

norm wrote: the GPS can be a pain to see and fiddle with while paddling whereas the deck compass should be more easily visible.


Norm; That's a key point - the compass should be more easily visible. That Suunto Orca compass has a pretty small face and the numbers are hard to read. A deck compass is nice if you are navigating unfamiliar waters by chart and compass, but a handheld orienteering compass kept in a PFD pocket is usually sufficient for getting quick bearings and headings and is much easier to use for backsights (versus turning your boat around to use the deck-mounted compass).
cgr
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Post by cgr »

Viking Optics in Kingston had the best prices when I was looking earlier this winter.

http://www.vikingoptics.com/kayakcompasses.html

I bought a ritchie v-527 for the tempest for $60.
http://www.vikingoptics.com/v-527.html

handheld for $29 (can be deck mounted)
http://www.vikingoptics.com/x-11y.html
noseykate
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Post by noseykate »

Ditto Mark's comments. I have a GPS but I use the deck-mounted compass much more often, and for multi-day trips I carry a compass in my pfd too.

NK
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Birdseye
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Post by Birdseye »

This is the one I've used and have been pretty happy with it.

http://coastlineadventures.com/Brunton-58-Kayaking-Compass.html
P&H Quest LV - Yellow/white/blue
Doug
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Location: Marshfield MA

Post by Doug »

My deck mounted compass is the first thing I pack before heading out on a trip. I have a Ritchie Kayaker compass S-59W, they are pricey but much cheaper than a GPS. I also use a 30 year old Silva hand bearing compass, the printing is a little faded but still works great. It might be the Trekker. Maybe I'm old school but I haven't found anything the GPS has to offer that solid navigation skills don't already provide, I'm a little intimidated by the 40 page instruction book that came with a Garmin I bought a few years ago. I think I wore down a set of batteries just trying to figure how to turn the unit off. A number of smart folks use and recommend them though. One of these days.
"Adventure is worthwhile in itself." - Amelia Earhart
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pat
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Post by pat »

Doug wrote:I haven't found anything the GPS has to offer that solid navigation skills don't already provide

Some of them play mp3s.
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