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Old 02-06-2015, 05:16 PM   #1
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Quality Bubble Compass?

Hey,

I may be a bit old school on this, but does anyone use a bubble compass in their SMB? I have an electronic compass built into the radio in my car(simple N/S/E/W not fancy) and I really like knowing which direction I am facing. I understand I can use a stand alone GPS, but I don't really want to spend the money on that and I have much of that functionality on my phone, but I am looking for low-tech here.

I have seen some like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Bell-Automotiv...bubble+compass

However, they seem to get crappy reviews on Amazon.

I wouldn't mind having something like this either:

Does anyone use a compass or clinometer like this or has everyone pretty much moved on to GPS's these days?

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Old 02-06-2015, 06:14 PM   #2
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Re: Quality Bubble Compass?

Look on marine sites, maybe start at West Marine (extensive but expensive). You will find both bulkhead or vertical mount for direct and indirect reading as well as horizontal mount. Just remember that you are putting a magnetically sensitive device in a large steel box and will need to check it for accuracy across all points and perhaps adjust it.
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Old 02-07-2015, 12:50 PM   #3
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Re: Quality Bubble Compass?

Quote:
Originally Posted by witoke
Look on marine sites, maybe start at West Marine (extensive but expensive). You will find both bulkhead or vertical mount for direct and indirect reading as well as horizontal mount. Just remember that you are putting a magnetically sensitive device in a large steel box and will need to check it for accuracy across all points and perhaps adjust it.
Reminds me of a friend who had such a compass in his truck 50 years ago. He said that it always pointed to the engine!
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Old 02-07-2015, 01:30 PM   #4
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Re: Quality Bubble Compass?

My mirror has a compass built in plus I have a Garmin that has several compass modes. They make stick on digital compass versions for next to nothing but don't know how well they operate. Here is an example:
mirror compass

For off road use, I rely on GPS topo map software on my lap top. I do have a very expensive fluid filled compass on my bass boat.
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Old 02-08-2015, 02:08 PM   #5
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Re: Quality Bubble Compass?

Silva ranger and keep it in the map drawer. This way you can use your maps
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Old 02-18-2015, 02:23 PM   #6
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Re: Quality Bubble Compass?

I was hoping someone would have a good recommendation for a compass that could be placed on the dash. Doesn't sound like it though
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Old 02-18-2015, 03:18 PM   #7
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Re: Quality Bubble Compass?

Why not a good aircraft compass?
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