Bubbles in Silva Compass

joe 65

21/07/2005 at 00:04

Has anyone else noticed a bubble appearing in their compass, when they're on the hills.

I'm now on the 2nd Silva one it's happened to and it plays havoc with the floating disk in the old model I use.

It disappears again at the end of the day and there's no sign of leakage.

Could it be an altitude thing ? It happens even at such modest altitudes as about half way up Ben Nevis.

Any ideas, or am I just going to have to buy a new one ?

joe 65

21/07/2005 at 00:19

Guess I should done a search before posting this question. I see there are already a couple of threads on it. (I'm new to this Internet thing). Is there any way I can delete this entry, so as not to be clogging up the board unnecessarily ?

Professor Pat. Pending

21/07/2005 at 23:15

Yes, I think we established in a previous thread that the expensive Silva siting compass with disc is rubbish. I think also someone said it had already been withdrawn from the UK market.

However, we also established (in my view) that it is generally accepted as normal for some compasses to develop a bubble in certain circumstances, usually in winter and/or/with altitude or air pressure circumstances etc etc etc. With a standard compass the needle wouldn't be badly impeeded by the bubble.

Some contributors said they had experienced this 'bubble' with their compasses and some said they hadn't.

I concluded that it is probably a case of potluck, but if you get a bubble it is normal and shouldn't be a problem with most compasses, unless you've got the expensive Silva siting compass with disc which appeared to develop a particularly large bubble which in turn causes problems with the disc.

My pal has just that same compass and also says it's rubbish when the dreaded bubble appears.

My advice would be to just buy a good quality standard compass, after all you only need to be really precise when the weather is bad and usually in those circumstances you can't 'sight' anything.

Paul

Professor Pat. Pending

21/07/2005 at 23:42

Joe65
The previous thread I'm refering to is "I've got Bubbles" which appears to be about the same compass as yours.

Again, I maintain that a bubble in compasses is normal in certain weather conditions, but in that particular model it's prehaps beyond an acceptable size.

Paul

ptc*

22/07/2005 at 00:04

I'll keep quiet this time :o)

Brianetta

22/07/2005 at 00:18

I have a compass from these guys:
http://www.cammenga.com/

It's a type of compass I grew up with. It's worth noting, in case you've only seen the cheap Hi-Gear clones, that the Cammenga (and the almost identical Stocker & Yale) model has no liquid inside the compass at all. It uses magnetic induction for damping, and the needle (and disk) fall still in under five seconds no matter how fast you manage to get it spinning. Bubbles are impossible!

Mal Mawr

23/07/2005 at 22:21

When I was in the RN I was always taught (by Royal Marines usually) that if you have bubbles in your compass, it's shot.

John Bailey

24/07/2005 at 09:35

Silva website says:

Bubbles
At altitude (above 500 to 1000 meters) bubbles may form in the fluid. The cause is a drop in atmospheric pressure and/or low temperature. This can occur in any compass. The bubble will disappear, when normal conditions return.

Obviously, air can get into the fluid through crack damage in the capsule. A hairline crack damage in the surface of the capsule may not cause a leak to occur for weeks or even months. Such damage is not covered by warranty.

It is not economically viable, to repair a cracked capsule, but it can be replaced by your SILVA dealer at much less then the the cost of a new compass.

Row

24/07/2005 at 20:05

Well this does clear up my worry of my compass which does get a bubble occasionally when it feels like it.

dan hoyle

27/07/2005 at 16:50

I've got loads of silva compasses and have never had a problem. If the seal is broke or the cat swings it round a lot, that may explain it. My particularly favorite model is the Ranger 3. I've had it for 4 years and use it in all kinds of orieteering events at altitudes up to 3000ft and have never had a problem. It may be a batch default.

Paul Foster

05/01/2008 at 10:31

I had this problem which was caused by a defective gasket. Silva replaced the compass free of charge as it was still under guarantee (five years).

Jester*

05/01/2008 at 20:23

Try to keep the compass in a warm place.

Ernie Simmons

05/01/2008 at 20:40

give him back to michael jackson, keeping a monkey in your compass you sickos

LotC

05/01/2008 at 20:45

Joe65,

I think it may be a temperature-related thing. I've had a Silva type 4 for many years that grows a bubble, usually in cold conditions. Doesn't affect the function (well, I ain't been lost yet).

John Armstrong 3

28/10/2008 at 09:02

I'm a balloonist and my Silva compass has been up to 10,000ft several times; we once went double that. Not only is air pressure low, but it is also very cold. It's got a whopping great bubble which is really annoying, but it seems to work OK - at present . . . . . . .

The non liquid compass mentioned above sounds the best way of not bubbling.

Stephen Leak

10/06/2010 at 09:42

I've always put them down to age and/or temperature, never having used my compass at high altitude.

I use it like a circular spirit level (I have one on my camera tripod) to keep the compass level.

David Kent 2

25/05/2012 at 15:49

This is a very normal question. The buuble has no influence on the accuracy of the compass. Its appearance and disappearance are due to changes in temperature and atmospheric pressure. You can check at haowind.cm. They produce and sell lots of different compasses.

Gareth Sear

30/05/2012 at 22:24

As a retailer - I've just had a compass with a bubble in it returned to me -a Silva Field 7 - brand new not used. I've also personally had a problem (?) with bubbles primarily down to cold and altitude and once, it was cracked and I lost the fluid, and the bubble! As a retailer I would replce anyone who has bought a Silva compass from me that develops a bubble that doesn't go away as long as it is in warranty (12 moonths from purchase). Primarily, because it isn't meant to have a bubble in it! (assuming they hadn't damaged it by dropping it etc!)

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