Lensatic compass.

[phalanx]

These are very handy to have if your hunting or lost. Without using GPS. Especially if you don’t have it. The military ones have a magnifying glass and one with a line so you can use a map and a straight line from one location to another.

[orerancher]

These are very handy to have if your hunting or lost. Without using GPS. Especially if you don’t have it.

Anyone under the Age of 40, even Know what a Compass is?

[phalanx]

These are very handy to have if your hunting or lost. Without using GPS. Especially if you don’t have it.

Anyone under the Age of 40, even Know what a Compass is?

I showed a kid a military one. He popped up the line reference end and the magnifying end thinking you look through them both. That is not what they are for.

[gene_225]

Personally, I find the Silva Ranger much more useful for the woods and field work. That is because you can set the declanation and leave it set for your field trip and can then set your course and not have to remember whether to add or subtract dec. for each reading. JMHO

[O-mega]

The military ones suck, they work, but they suck.  You are much better with a Silva, which the military gave us for our survival kits.  They have a few different models, but the simple ones are cheap enough to place in as many kits as you have. The military teaches you to get a bearing to a target position using a landmark, but that is not practical sometimes, specially in the dark, or when actively evading.  The military compass needles are not very stable, specially when you are moving fast, it just bounces too much to stay on course.  The Silvas, and some of their clones, are liquid filled, so it dampens the needle so it stays on azimuth better. 

[Ranger99]

Probably posted this before
Short version- I bought one of the
$80.00 military version, and it
stuck on it's axis in the pitch dark
and got me seriously lost in the
wee hours. A friend had the same
thing happen some months/ a year
later,  so I know it wasn't a fluke.

Buy a Silva or Brunton and fret no more
I've had at least  one Silva since my
boy scout days ( the real bsa) and
have yet to experience a malfunction

[Dee]

The military ones suck, they work, but they suck.  You are much better with a Silva, which the military gave us for our survival kits.  They have a few different models, but the simple ones are cheap enough to place in as many kits as you have. The military teaches you to get a bearing to a target position using a landmark, but that is not practical sometimes, specially in the dark, or when actively evading.  The military compass needles are not very stable, specially when you are moving fast, it just bounces too much to stay on course.  The Silvas, and some of their clones, are liquid filled, so it dampens the needle so it stays on azimuth better. 

Used one of those, and a topographical map a many a time.  It's all you need. If you know where you are at the start, you can go anywhere.

[ironglow]

  NCO Academy, 1964..I used a Lensatic compass, in an "over the mountain" test.
    Our task was to start at a numbered stake..then orienteer our way over one of the Alps, being directed to stakes along the way with anonymous (to us) numbers.
   Ended up on the other side of the mountain...at another (anonymous) stake.  Miss any point on the way, and you blow everything after that !

   I wasn't particularly enamored with the Lensatics...but it was as good as we had at the time.

   I continue to be impressed with military maps...not just topographical maps, but those prepared by Army cartographers.

   It seems like the Silva would be perfectly adequate for any civilian use.

[Ranger99]

   . . .It seems like the Silva would be perfectly adequate for any civilian use.

It is
Nobody's calling in a grid to drop HE on some
little pointy heads, and making it back to within
sight of the truck is more than adequate.
I don't have to walk straight up to the door

[ironglow]

   . . .It seems like the Silva would be perfectly adequate for any civilian use.

It is
Nobody's calling in a grid to drop HE on some
little pointy heads, and making it back to within
sight of the truck is more than adequate.
I don't have to walk straight up to the door

   It was an rewarding exercise..done over one of the smaller mountains near the Zugspitze, shown below. 
   When we were about half way over the mountain, it started to rain..so we put on our ponchos..
  In just a few minutes we were pleased that we were wearing our steel pots, because it started to hail.  Pigeon egg size stones that were soon up to the ankles of our combat boots..

[O-mega]

   . . .It seems like the Silva would be perfectly adequate for any civilian use.

It is
Nobody's calling in a grid to drop HE on some
little pointy heads, and making it back to within
sight of the truck is more than adequate.
I don't have to walk straight up to the door

   It was an rewarding exercise..done over one of the smaller mountains near the Zugspitze, shown below. 
   When we were about half way over the mountain, it started to rain..so we put on our ponchos..
  In just a few minutes we were pleased that we were wearing our steel pots, because it started to hail.  Pigeon egg size stones that were soon up to the ankles of our combat boots..

I loved the steel pot, it was very useful at times.  You may look at the SUUNTO brand as well, they have excellent ones as well.  I think I have a few still in my kits, but not sure which brand anymore.  I carry this one in the butt pack of the little hunting pack I use hunting.

 

[ironglow]

   Looks like a handy kit there, Omega.  Even that little knife looks like it would be handy when cleaning/dressing out squirrels & rabbits..

[Ranger99]

   . . .It seems like the Silva would be perfectly adequate for any civilian use.

It is
Nobody's calling in a grid to drop HE on some
little pointy heads, and making it back to within
sight of the truck is more than adequate.
I don't have to walk straight up to the door

   It was an rewarding exercise..done over one of the smaller mountains near the Zugspitze, shown below. 
   When we were about half way over the mountain, it started to rain..so we put on our ponchos..
  In just a few minutes we were pleased that we were wearing our steel pots, because it started to hail.  Pigeon egg size stones that were soon up to the ankles of our combat boots..

I loved the steel pot, it was very useful at times.  You may look at the SUUNTO brand as well, they have excellent ones as well.  I think I have a few still in my kits, but not sure which brand anymore.  I carry this one in the butt pack of the little hunting pack I use hunting.

Now that's funny to me to see another of
those Aitor skeleton knives. I bought mine
way back when, and I wanted one of the
Jungle King that had the slingshot sheath
and included the small skeleton knife.
I was between monthly paychecks, and
by the time I had the funds for the big
one, they were sold out forever along with
the skeleton knife.
This one ^ ^ ^ is the second one I've ever
seen someone display besides my own.
( what- middle 1980's?)

Also funny to see someone else that
totes a real DOANS bar

[O-mega]

   . . .It seems like the Silva would be perfectly adequate for any civilian use.

It is
Nobody's calling in a grid to drop HE on some
little pointy heads, and making it back to within
sight of the truck is more than adequate.
I don't have to walk straight up to the door

   It was an rewarding exercise..done over one of the smaller mountains near the Zugspitze, shown below. 
   When we were about half way over the mountain, it started to rain..so we put on our ponchos..
  In just a few minutes we were pleased that we were wearing our steel pots, because it started to hail.  Pigeon egg size stones that were soon up to the ankles of our combat boots..

I loved the steel pot, it was very useful at times.  You may look at the SUUNTO brand as well, they have excellent ones as well.  I think I have a few still in my kits, but not sure which brand anymore.  I carry this one in the butt pack of the little hunting pack I use hunting.

Now that's funny to me to see another of
those Aitor skeleton knives. I bought mine
way back when, and I wanted one of the
Jungle King that had the slingshot sheath
and included the small skeleton knife.
I was between monthly paychecks, and
by the time I had the funds for the big
one, they were sold out forever along with
the skeleton knife.
This one ^ ^ ^ is the second one I've ever
seen someone display besides my own.
( what- middle 1980's?)

Also funny to see someone else that
totes a real DOANS bar

Spot on, mid 80s it is, that little knife has been on a few continents and over 100 jumps, seldom used, but always present.  Can't recall how I got it, but I recall it had a pamphlet on its uses, can/bottle opener, screw driver, spear, webbing cutter. etc.  It didn't have a sheath that I recall, I sewed a length of Type VIII webbing with a velcro flap and belt loop for it in the Rigger Shop so I can attach it to my Load Bearing Equipment(LBE).

[ironglow]

   . . .It seems like the Silva would be perfectly adequate for any civilian use.

It is
Nobody's calling in a grid to drop HE on some
little pointy heads, and making it back to within
sight of the truck is more than adequate.
I don't have to walk straight up to the door

   It was an rewarding exercise..done over one of the smaller mountains near the Zugspitze, shown below. 
   When we were about half way over the mountain, it started to rain..so we put on our ponchos..
  In just a few minutes we were pleased that we were wearing our steel pots, because it started to hail.  Pigeon egg size stones that were soon up to the ankles of our combat boots..

I loved the steel pot, it was very useful at times.  You may look at the SUUNTO brand as well, they have excellent ones as well.  I think I have a few still in my kits, but not sure which brand anymore.  I carry this one in the butt pack of the little hunting pack I use hunting.

Now that's funny to me to see another of
those Aitor skeleton knives. I bought mine
way back when, and I wanted one of the
Jungle King that had the slingshot sheath
and included the small skeleton knife.
I was between monthly paychecks, and
by the time I had the funds for the big
one, they were sold out forever along with
the skeleton knife.
This one ^ ^ ^ is the second one I've ever
seen someone display besides my own.
( what- middle 1980's?)

Also funny to see someone else that
totes a real DOANS bar

Spot on, mid 80s it is, that little knife has been on a few continents and over 100 jumps, seldom used, but always present.  Can't recall how I got it, but I recall it had a pamphlet on its uses, can/bottle opener, screw driver, spear, webbing cutter. etc.  It didn't have a sheath that I recall, I sewed a length of Type VIII webbing with a velcro flap and belt loop for it in the Rigger Shop so I can attach it to my Load Bearing Equipment(LBE).

   Over a hundred jumps....here's a congrats and a "thank you"..no small accomplishment ! Kudos !

     Skelton knives are making a  comeback.  My grandson has filled several recent requests for a skelton blade, plus this one made from a farrier's rasp.

[Ranger99]

   . . .It seems like the Silva would be perfectly adequate for any civilian use.

It is
Nobody's calling in a grid to drop HE on some
little pointy heads, and making it back to within
sight of the truck is more than adequate.
I don't have to walk straight up to the door

   It was an rewarding exercise..done over one of the smaller mountains near the Zugspitze, shown below. 
   When we were about half way over the mountain, it started to rain..so we put on our ponchos..
  In just a few minutes we were pleased that we were wearing our steel pots, because it started to hail.  Pigeon egg size stones that were soon up to the ankles of our combat boots..

I loved the steel pot, it was very useful at times.  You may look at the SUUNTO brand as well, they have excellent ones as well.  I think I have a few still in my kits, but not sure which brand anymore.  I carry this one in the butt pack of the little hunting pack I use hunting.

Now that's funny to me to see another of
those Aitor skeleton knives. I bought mine
way back when, and I wanted one of the
Jungle King that had the slingshot sheath
and included the small skeleton knife.
I was between monthly paychecks, and
by the time I had the funds for the big
one, they were sold out forever along with
the skeleton knife.
This one ^ ^ ^ is the second one I've ever
seen someone display besides my own.
( what- middle 1980's?)

Also funny to see someone else that
totes a real DOANS bar

Spot on, mid 80s it is, that little knife has been on a few continents and over 100 jumps, seldom used, but always present.  Can't recall how I got it, but I recall it had a pamphlet on its uses, can/bottle opener, screw driver, spear, webbing cutter. etc.  It didn't have a sheath that I recall, I sewed a length of Type VIII webbing with a velcro flap and belt loop for it in the Rigger Shop so I can attach it to my Load Bearing Equipment(LBE).

Factory sheath is pretty close, except
for the webbing
I've never used this one extensively.
It was bought back when I made lots
of money and bought whatever caught
my eye. I don't think they're that good
of a knife. Just extremely handy to
have on hand and weigh practically
nothing. Aitor made a larger version
that Buck later made a similar version
of that was close enough that I thought
they should have paid a royalty on.

[O-mega]

Spot on, mid 80s it is, that little knife has been on a few continents and over 100 jumps, seldom used, but always present.  Can't recall how I got it, but I recall it had a pamphlet on its uses, can/bottle opener, screw driver, spear, webbing cutter. etc.  It didn't have a sheath that I recall, I sewed a length of Type VIII webbing with a velcro flap and belt loop for it in the Rigger Shop so I can attach it to my Load Bearing Equipment(LBE).

Factory sheath is pretty close, except
for the webbing
I've never used this one extensively.
It was bought back when I made lots
of money and bought whatever caught
my eye. I don't think they're that good
of a knife. Just extremely handy to
have on hand and weigh practically
nothing. Aitor made a larger version
that Buck later made a similar version
of that was close enough that I thought
they should have paid a royalty on.

Wow, that is close, never seen the original that I can recall.  The knife isn't what I would call great, but it has a decent edge and has not had one speck of rust on it, would do in a pinch I'd think.  And the mag bar, yea, its a PITA to get lit sometimes, but it never gets old or loses it's flammability. I have other fire starters but these store well and are cheap enough to have multiples, though a bic just can't be beat.

[phalanx]

Bought a Silva and it came in today. Those are very nice and accurate. This will be nice the next time i go spelunking.
This year in Texas.

[Ranger99]

Bought a Silva and it came in today. Those are very nice and accurate. This will be nice the next time i go spelunking.
This year in Texas.

It should last a lifetime with minimal care and
be an accurate tool for you

[phalanx]

Bought a Silva and it came in today. Those are very nice and accurate. This will be nice the next time i go spelunking.
This year in Texas.

It should last a lifetime with minimal care and
be an accurate tool for you

I keep it in my truck. In an under armor padded case.

[Ranger99]

I have a Silva Ranger riding around loose
in my console tray with a flashlight and
and  a mini strobe and other miscellaneous
garbage.  Probably should get some kind
of case to keep it in instead of letting it
rattle around during my travels

[phalanx]

I have a Silva Ranger riding around loose
in my console tray with a flashlight and
and  a mini strobe and other miscellaneous
garbage.  Probably should get some kind
of case to keep it in instead of letting it
rattle around during my travels

I had a cheap one sorta like this Silva. It was in the glove box with all that other junk. After awhile it quit working like it had lost all of its magnetism. That’s why i got a small case for this one, sold by under armor for compasses like this. Lost in a cave and your compass doesn’t work ? That’s a very bad situation. The national parks wont let you use cave markers anymore, there is no weather so bio degradable wont work. And bread crumbs get eaten by the critters, GPS wont work in some places.