Right it is time for a New compass.

My trusty Silva Type 4 after being lent to a group of kiddywinks have bitten the dust. The Bezzle with the markings for the line indicationg north turns so therefore it is U/S.

So what other compass's are on the market for similar cost and have the same performance and features. I'm happy with my Type 4 it has a long base plate and has the Romers for the 1:25 1:50 and 1:63 map scales. I have a need for a fairly roboust and good quality compass as the last thing i want is for it to give up the ghost, when i'm leading a group in heavy fog.

So any suggestions would be welcome and any personal testomonys too.

I have heard that the new Silva's seem to be of a lesser quality so any news of this? Or is my local shop trying to sell me their latest Sunnto offering?

Not really sure about which compasses are best but i have a silva ive had for years and its fine but my mate got a new one last year and it had loads of cracks in it so took it back and the shop said they were gettin an awful lot back like that...maybe it was a bit of a bad batch or their build quality could well be falling!

I've had one of the really basic Type 7s for over 30 years and it still works fine. But I bought another one last year and the needle doesn't rotate properly - it seems to dip permanently and catch on the case so when you move it moves - useless! It does make you wonder....

I basic Silva works well. Is it worth spending any more?

I think the Silva Type 4 is the best compass for UK Hill walking. Its lightweight and has all the features you'll need so if I was you I would replace it with another. They go for good prices on Ebay sometimes and most shops I've seen at the moment have them at £22!

I think you've just been unfortunate if the one you had broke. It only take sone bad knock to break anything really!

I've had a Silva 4 for about 2 years. Haven't had any problems with it (so far). (I got it free with my original subscription to T**** magazine!!)

I use a Silva Eclipse 99 Pro sighting compass with clinometer I've found it pretty damn accurate too.

I use a Silva Type 26 with a mirror sight, which makes up for the limitations of the smaller capsule (it's a 2 degree scale, I think...). It's probably the smallest, lightest, sighting compass in Silva's range.

Sadly, it's developed a permanent bubble, so I may have to look at a new one.

Silva Ranger 15TDCL - excellent. Sighting (& shaving & signalling) mirror in cover, declination adjustment (with tool on lanyard), clinometer, romers, scales, no magnifier. It's 25 years old, stood on, thrown, dropped down cliffs, used in -15C and +45C and still going.

Ranger 15

Eclipse 99 Pro does look the "box deluxe", though.

Silva Type 4 for me, I've had it four years and it's still going strong. It does everything you could need for UK hillwalking.

Just got a Type 4 last week. Looks the business and i hope it lasts as long as my old Suunto (model????) which is still serviceable.

Cost me £2.50 and i got a free map case(which i doubt i'll use)....

Ok, ok, I had £20 vouchers from a generous relative, 10% BMC discount.

I know two people who have the Silva 4 and they found that the fluorescent marker that holds the north line has come unstuck, renedring the thing useless.

Mine's is okay, but the markings have rubbed off a little after it went through the washing machine :-O

Silva do have a lifetime guarantee though.

Well thanks for all the input.

I have got myself another Type 4 just cause the Suunto didn't look to me what i wanted. and the romers weren't there. and it had a rolling jobby on the end to measure the distance on maps and i could see myself breaking that. :(
So hopefully this one should last more than a few years and do good service.


Good Ol Siva.

Silva type 4 compass would be my choice.

What do you need a compass for - just use your GPS.

























Joke!!!!!

Does anyone use a thumb compass?

I should add that I have just ordered a Silva NOR SPECTRA before you say that they are rubbish.

A bucket of water and a piece of magnetised iron fixed to a sliver of wood.
It was good enough for my great, great, great, great, grandfather and he never got lost.
Couldn't get out of Bedlam to go anywhere.

But seriously, my expedition 4 has never let me down.

I have a little rectum (sic) that does the job.

Actually I apologise for that smartarse!!!! comment - amused me this early in the morning.

Recta sport something or other £15, got me through almost all of ML until I thought sod it and bought a Silva type 4. Sweet Lord they're good.