Great compass companion for your GPS.
Written: Mar 24 '03 (Updated Mar 24 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Easy to use dials, Magnifying map and degree viewing lens
Cons: No vial protective cover or carry case included.
The Bottom Line: The Brunton Eclipse 8097 Compass is a great companion for your GPS unit. It offers all-purpose use both in the field and around the house.
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| hpq_nighthawk's Full Review: Brunton 8097 Eclipse |
Description:
The Brunton Eclipse 8097 is a see-through mapping and navigating compass. The following features are found on this compass:
1. Smooth fluid vial - allows quick and steady acquisition of direction.
2. Needle Disk with Red circled "N" - the permanently magnetized ferrous disk orients a red circled "N" to magnetic north. The disk center also has "E", "W", and "S" marked for quick directional reference.
3. Blue orienting circle - there is an adjustable blue orienting circle on the bottom surface of the vial allowing for bearing measurement and magnetic declination adjustment. There is also a Blue line extending from the circle for accurate map alignment.
4. Graduated Dial - the dial around the vial is graduated 0 through 360 degrees in 1-degree increments for precise measurement.
5. Rotating Azimuth Ring - this is the adjustable ring that moves the graduated dial and Blue orienting circle/line.
6. Magnifying index-viewing lens - this magnifying bubble allows for precise graduated dial readings to determine the bearing.
7. Magnifying map-viewing lens - this magnifying bubble is used to magnify small writing on maps.
8. Double Prism Alignment System - the double prism alignment system is used to sight an object or destination. The alignment system is set up like gun sights to target reference objects in the distance.
9. Lanyard clip with built-in whistle - this lanyard is used to carry the compass around your neck while navigating and has a built-in whistle for rescue or animal signaling.
10. Pocket/Map clip - Detachable clip for pocket or map fastening.
11. Map scales - these are located on the clear base for use in quick map position and distance calculations.
12. Magnetic Declination Scale - adjustable magnetic declination scale ring on the bottom of the compass to account for the magnetic declination at your position.
13. Protractor - used to determine angles and map bearings.
14. Centering Template - used for accurate use of the protractor.
15. Rubber handgrip - the compass has a rounded rubber coated grip allowing for comfortable and secure holding.
Pros:
This is a great compass to use for hiking and navigation. I have used it with my Garmin Emap GPS with great success. The two magnifying bubbles make degree and map reading very easy and clear. I even used this compass to set up my satellite dish when we moved and had to re-mount the dish. The one-degree increments on the graduated dial made this compass very useful for this purpose. I also think the built-in whistle is a nice touch showing ingenuity in the Brunton product line.
Cons:
My only con would be the lack of a protecting cover over the vial or carry case. This is not a huge issue if you have a small pouch on your pack to carry it in. It does leave it unprotected when carried around your neck. I keep mine in a pouch on my GPS case.
Overall Opinion:
Overall the Brunton 8097 is an excellent all-purpose compass. I would highly recommend it for anyone looking for a compass that can serve purposes both in the field and around the house.
Related Links:
For a very detailed description of the use of this compass, view the Brunton manual at:
http://www.brunton.com/manuals/Compasses/8097.pdf
I purchased my Brunton Eclipse 8097 to go along with my Garmin Emap GPS unit. To learn more about this GPS unit, please read my review of the Garmin Emap.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
hpq_nighthawk
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Location: Georgia, USA
Reviews written: 21
Trusted by: 30 members
About Me:
Engineer who likes gadgets and the outdoors.
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