 I use a bog standard Silva Expedition 4 and it works just fine down here, what is the benefit of the voyager ones with their "work wherever you are in the world thanks to their multi-zone balanced compass needle" stuff?
|
 |
 Good question Benco. I got my compass, a standard Silva Field 7 in NZ and it works fine back in the UK.....
|
|
I asked that question of a compass geek once upon a time. Apparently, in use, the needle dips slightly to follow the magnetic field....and the dip angle in the southern hemisphere is differnet to the north....so, in theory, a northern compass wont work properly in the south and vice versa..... and just to complicate matters, they make all singing and dancing needles that dont care where they are. Thats the explanation given to me.....does it make any difference....well, if you'd like to pay my fares, I'll take my northern compass to NZ or Auz or South Africa (I'm not fussy) and find out... 
|
|
Surely the answer is no. If your worried about it just take a bearing from a known location to another known location before you set off and compare to what the map says it should read? Then adjust future measurements by that amount. Just like you already do to allow for magnetic North, if you need the level of accuracy. Or am I missing somehting really obvious here?
|
|
I cant really remember...but I think the errors that can creep in arent consistant from one reading to the next
|
|
I was happy with how my UK bottom of the range Silva worked in NZ. Just needs a slight tilt maybe to stop the needle rubbing on the roof of the housing.
|
|
I have noticed the needle is at an angle, I've not noticed it get stuck yet though...Hmmm..maybe I can treat myself to a nice new compass (just noticed the voyager has magnetic variation adjustment as well, that'd save me a bit a brain ache)
|
| Edited: 14/01/09 17:12 |
Compasses are for wimps anyway. Real outdoor heros navigate by lichen patterns on rocks, the wind on their face and the flight of the raven. If you get stuck find a sheep to follow. They always know where they're going.
|
|
Dont think its a matter of getting stuck.....just not being able to swing freely..
|
|
Being lost is a state of mind. Its not you, its the rest of the world thats out of place.
|
|
Really dont think my last post should have gone in just after SL's re sheep..... 
|
|
 you'd never get out of the tower of london if you waited for the flight of a raven.
|
|
you've lost me....... 
|
|
The ravens in the Tower of London have their wings clipped, legend has it the tower will fall if there are no ravens ( or something along those lines) Best wishes, Mark
|
|
  Welcome to the forum there Mark. It was the Royal reign that would fall, not just the castle tower actually though! The White Tower, the monarchy and the entire kingdom was said by legend to fall if the ravens, as foretelling omen of impending doom, all left the place.
|
| Edited: 18/01/09 16:30 |
I am not sure how I have re-invented myself as I have posted a few times on this site  . anyway thanks for the welcome Trevor.
|
|
Right! So you're Mark Huff the original as well then are you! What folk will do to get themselves an extra entry to OM gear competitions eh! I was welcoming you newly here but based upon your post count back there of 1, you see!
|
| Edited: 18/01/09 17:26 |
Don't worry though, I'm easily fooled like that!
|
|
