Tag Archives: Suunto

Suunto Comet Compass/Thermometer

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Looking for a small, reliable compass for your survival kits or EDC…?

Suunto Comet

From the Suunto website:

  • Available for northern hemisphere only
  • Thermometer
  • Jewel bearing
  • Wind chill chart
  • Key ring
  • Size: 26 x 78 mm / 1″ x 3.1″
  • Weight: 10 g

Suunto Micro Compasses

The Suunto Micro Compass series comprises two models, Clipper and Comet, which feature a liquid filled capsule and rotating dial. An invaluable navigational tool in town or country, the compass can be clipped to a watch band or bag strap, or used as a key ring to ensure that the compass is always with you when you need it.

Cost: Around CDN $14

***Unfortunately, this product has been DISCONTINUED***

www.suunto.com

Suunto A-30 Recreational Compass

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If you’re not a fan of the MCA sighting compass we previously reviewed, consider the A-30 Compass from Suunto. The A-30 is very affordable and offers exceptional value. Although it’s labeled a “recreational compass” it could quite easily be the only compass you’ll ever need (unless you’re traveling in a hemisphere it’s not calibrated for).

This particular model features a luminescent bezel and directional arrow, which helps not only with functionality at night, but also with general visibility of the compass itself in low light conditions. The A-30 also features a magnified glass, which can be used to start fires by concentrating sunlight. Though the MCA has a sighting mirror which can be used as a heliograph in a survival situation, it doesn’t have a magnified glass or luminescent properties for nighttime visibility.

It can certainly be argued that the luminescent features of the A-30 are frivolous as most people don’t tend to wander around at night with a map and compass (if you do, please pack a head-lamp and/or flashlight). Nonetheless, the bright yellow glow helps your compass stick out in the dark, reducing the chances of it getting lost, stepped on, damaged etc.

Like the MCA, the bezel is easy to grip and turn, but not so loose that it will turn on its own. The design of the A-30 is a very simple yet highly functional which will serve most of your navigational needs quite sufficiently without breaking the bank.

As with the MCA sighting compass, the red string that the A-30 came with was too small to serve as a proper lanyard. Instead, swap it for some Mil-spec 550 Paracord.

If you’re looking for a simple, functional, affordable and reliable compass – consider the A30 Recreational Compass from SUUNTO.

Extremely Lightweight and Thin

Sufficiently Durable

Simple and Easy to Read

Luminescent Bezel

Magnified Glass

Very affordable

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Made in Finland

Cost: Around CDN $20

www.suunto.com

Map & Compass

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A perfect companion for the Suunto MCA compass – The Complete Orienteering Handbook is a comprehensive manual containing pretty much everything you’ll need to establish a solid base of navigational fundamentals.

Not a very exciting read, but your interest in the content will likely come from your passion to learn about using a map and compass – an invaluable survival skill.

Remember – GPS devices can fail due to extreme temperatures and dead batteries. A compass does not rely on a power source and is quite reliable in most environments and climates.  If you rely on a GPS unit as your primary navigational instrument, consider carrying a compass (with a map of the area you are travelling in) as a back up system.

Cost: Around CDN $30

ISBN  0 – 02 – 029265 -1

Suunto MCA Compass

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If you are looking for a reliable compass without spending your end-of-year bonus, check out the MCA compass from Suunto.

I’ve had this compass for a couple of years now and I recently used it to do some orienteering. I must say I’ve never had any problems with it – a very straightforward piece of kit.

Balanced for the Northern Hemisphere, this compass is perfect for newcomers to old school navigation, but will satisfy experienced navigators as well.

The MCA is extremely lightweight and relatively sturdy. The bezel is easy to grip and turn, but not so loose that it will turn on its own. Markings are well applied but non-luminous. This isn’t really an issue unless you plan on navigating at night. If you do plan on wandering around in the dark with a map and compass, please, wear a headlamp.

While it may not appear so at first glance, the MCA’s set up is actually quite simple and very functional. The mirror and sights are clean and very crisp. The cover stays open firmly at 45 degrees and shuts nicely.

If you’re debating whether or not to buy a compass with a mirror, consider this:

In a survival situation, the mirror comes in very handy for signaling, checking your teeth, injuries, bites etc. If you are a minimalist, or just looking to simplify your kit, it saves you from taking along a separate mirror.

The little red string it came with was useless – I couldn’t even get it over my head – so I swapped it out for some mil-spec 550 Paracord.

At roughly CAD $30, you can’t really go wrong. If you take care of it, this compass should give you years of faithful service.

Cost: Around CDN $30

Made in Finland

 www.suunto.com