Suunto Clipper Micro Compass

It worked for a while but eventually gave up the ghost. Worthless unless you can get it almost perfectly level. I think mine spent too much time on my casio watch band and around metal objects thus making it inoperative. It's ok as long as you know it's limitations. Suitable if you're in a pinch and need something.

A compass is a very basic tool, and such it should be made reliable and near bulletproof. For surface use, the Clipper is perfect for clipping to a watch strap and used in a rugged situation. It includes a rotating bezel for getting heading estimates in degrees.

I've used this compass in extreme conditions of subfreezing cold, and Pacific heat and humidity, taken diving to 260' underwater and it has lived well.

Like all compasses, it contains a liquid that will not freeze in extreme conditions, and likely this contains a volatile solvent.

Cons:

Its all plastic case can be shattered or cracked, causing the liquid to leak. Thus, a bubble forms and the compass no longer spins freely, and may give reading errors.

The parts are snapped together. They can separate under extreme conditions of under water use, temperature and humidity.

Tip:

For use in extreme conditions, you can prolong the life of the Clipper by using rubber cement or similar, to seal the entire bottom of the compass and glue it to the frame. You have to pry out the bezel with your fingers, it will snap off. Gluing will permanent set the heading markers and will no longer be movable, set it to North. You can glue the snap opening to make a permanent loop for your wrist strap. Take care to not to let the glue seal were the strap should be; dried glue in the strap area is beneficial as it will add friction to hold the clipper tightly in place. Although the face is still not reinforced by the glue, this reduces the risk of a crack in over 50% of the surface area. This way, I've managed to extend the life of this compass from 1 year to over 4 and be used reliably for diving. I'm on my forth Clipper, and its going strong.

I ordered this compass and from the first it did not work...but there's more..Amazon claims that this item contains flammable liquids so it cannot be returned! Save your money and do not order this!!! I gav ethis product one star because I cannot give it no stars.

I wear this compass everyday on my watchband, and it has helped me out a ton of times. Everything from finding my way downtown, to helping while driving, and yes, out in the woods when its time to head back to the camp.

It works great, and the rotating bezel helps for remembering orientations. One wish: Night Glow on the North Arrow and on the Bezel for Nighttime use. Ah well.