Brunton Classic Compass

This compass is just what you need if you're trying to navigate using maps. It's well made and very reasonably priced.

The compass is easy to read and is well damped by the liquid inside.

This isn't the type of compass you'd want to use for regular hiking, but it very well suited for use with maps and charts. Since it doesn't fold, you'd have a hard time putting it in your pocket.

For normal hiking, I prefer a lensatic compass. It's very easy to shoot a bearing to a landmark. Brunton makes a pretty decent unit.

This is a perfect companion for basic hikes. Not fancy, easy to slip into your pocket, easy to read...it performs the job of a basic compass very well. For the price, this is an excellent buy.

Of course this compass isn't made for exacting surveying work or the such. For that, get a super-nice expensive one. But for the average hiker, camper, or young person wanting to basically know which way is which, this is a great compass to buy.
The gradations and text is easy to read, and the compass is accurate. It even has the ability to use it on a map to determine direction to travel. I am quite pleased with this compass, and $10, I wouldn't be too disappointed if I accidentally lost it or broke it.

The Brunton Classic is a straightforward, easy-to-use, low-cost compass that works well in the outdoors. It is a bit clunky-looking and a little bulky in your pocket, but you will appreciate that fact in cold weather when you are wearing gloves. It comes with a TRUE declination adjustment that moves the north reference indicator to the desired declination. This is much better than some of the least expensive compasses that claim to have a declination adjustment but really don't. (They require you to manually offset the needle from the north reference indicator to achieve it, something you don't want to have to struggle with when you are exhausted after hiking for 10 hours.) The Brunton doesn't need a tool to adjust declination, which they claim as an advantage. In contrast, Suunto compasses use a tiny screwdriver attached to the lanyard to make the adjustment. Personally, I like the screwdriver adjustment as being more accurate and less likely to be accidentally moved, but they both work equally well. The bearing markings silkscreened onto the Brunton's dial are not as fine-ruled as the Suunto so you can't get quite as precise a readout, but the difference is insignificant in most cases.

One thing I don't particularly like about the Brunton is that the baseplate is symmetric, so if you're not careful you can end up reading a bearing that is 180 degrees off from what you intended. On the Suunto, on the other hand, one edge of the baseplate is shaped like an arrow, so it is always obvious which way to point it.

This basic compass doesn't have a sighting mirror, and there are decidedly two schools of thought on whether this is necessary. Some people absolutely claim you need a mirror compass for accurate navigation. Others do perfectly fine without it. I've used both and find the simple compass works just fine for all but the most exacting requirements. The reality is that you can't follow a bearing in the field over real terrain to better than 5-10 degrees anyway, so reading bearings to 1-2 degrees is overkill. Smart navigators always use the concept of "aiming off" to compensate for their inability to navigate that accurately (check any good map and compass book for an explanation). The Brunton works well for trail hikers and moderate cross-country work. It is also a good choice to use with a GPS receiver or as a backup compass. For people who are creating trail maps or doing survey work, a mirror compass is a better choice, in which case you might consider going with the absolute best, the Brunton Pocket Transit. But at a price of $250-300, it's not going to compete with the under $10 Brunton Classic.

A basic compass like this should be part of anyone's outdoor kit, and this model is an excellent choice. The highly visible markings on the bezel of this model, and the bright colored baseplate enhhance your ability to find and use this compass in the outdoors and set it apart from similar models. Brunton makes a quality product and this one does exactly what it is intended to do. While some people want a mirrored sighting compass for greater precision, that is a different type of tool. Many users are not looking for extreme precision in a utility compass, but instead just want an accurate indication of direction for use with a GPS bearing or to orient themselves in the outdoors. Those users also know that they should not rely solely on a GPS, compass watch or other electronic device when a quality, inexpensive compass like this can provide a reliable indication of direction without needing batteries. A non-mirrored compass like this is handy for rapid use because it does not have to be "opened" for use. This one is rugged and because of the durability and low price is something you will take and use on all of your outdoor adventures.