Silva Type 15 Ranger: A classic standard for any compass user.
Written: Apr 21 '02 (Updated May 14 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Everything serious outdoorsmen and women need in a compass. Very accurate, lightweight, tough, compact design.
Cons: Not fully appreciated until the chips are down.
The Bottom Line: Expensive due to its capabilities. Rapid, very accurate compass directions and map interface. Excellent for all outdoor activities, survival and those who do not want to get lost off trail.
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| zlotmachinskyr's Full Review: Silva 15 Ranger |
Silva of Sweden is a very well known compass brand in the U.S.A. They have been on the U.S. market for decades and they constantly produce new and improved designs. Their compasses are always an exercise in fine engineering, and so superbly ergonomic in design that other brands seem rather quirky and strange when side by side with a similarly featured Silva. That's just the way it is. Silva is simply outstanding, there is no other way to describe this fine compass maker. Confidence is assured when holding a Silva.
The Silva Type 15 Ranger has been in production for many many years. My first one dates back at least 20 years and was distinguished by a machined Aluminum liquid-filled capsule with blackened engraved markings. To reduce potential envy, I probably shouldn't mention the no longer produced liquid filled aluminum needle capsule, but that is the way Silva made many of their compasses in the years gone by. Today the modern Silva Type 15 Ranger is largely made of modern engineering plastics: rugged, compact and very lightweight.
I have never had any structural plastic component on any Silva Compass fail or even crack. I treat my survival equipment with care and so should you, but this pathfinder will function as intended when the chips are down. I have had to use the sighting mirror to trail blaze snow covered trails on a sunny day that ended in self-recognized hypothermia for me, related to poorly sealed boots. That is a story for another day. In retrospect, that Silva 15 Ranger saved precious time in getting me to a safe bivouac site and next day exit. This compass helped save my life. GPS didn't exist then and would not have helped in that situation. Note: I have had some models of Silva Compasses bubble (i.e. develop an air bubble) in the capsule at higher altitudes (e.g. 9000 feet and higher), annoying but not catastrophic.
Speed Saves Lives
For solo trail hikers (you know who you are) rapid and accurate compass directions are essential if the situation becomes dangerous. Exhaustion causes confusion and with the declination adjustment properly set, this compass is a reliable, rapid and accurate workhorse. No one has time to waste manually adjusting for declination of the compass bearings when the chips are down. Split seconds count when someone is hypothermic and trying to get to safety or even when lost (i.e. temporarily confused as to personal location). These situations can be rare but they do happen and speed saves lives. I am sure this is true for any adverse outdoor activity or environment.
Use your declination adjustment, Please! This is essential for automatic rapid map to field and field to map assessments. This is the key for rapid errorless pathfinding. This feature alone makes this compass a standout and a lifesaver! USE IT AT ALL TIMES!!! Note that when the sighting mirror is positioned to reflect the compass bearing and needle alignment matched up, the user can take a bearing on a distant object through the sighting notch.
Features of the Remarkable Silva Type 15 Compass: Antifreeze liquid filled capsule for the magnetic needle (it damps the magnetic needle for rapid readings); Saphire jewel bearing for the magnetic needle insures rapid smooth movement, accuracy and long product reliability; Sighting mirror for accurate trailblazing; Geared nonslip declination adjustment; Luminous marker on north end of magnet needle with luminous bars marking north on the clear floor of the needle capsule and a luminious marker on the sighting mirror; Protractor base for taking bearings directly from map to field and vice versa; Lanyard with declination adjustment screwdriver does not intefere with map use; Protective case design folds over to protect the liquid filled capsule: Metric and inch rulers are on protractor base. A few common map scale ratios are marked on the protractor base as well. My sample also has a clinometer for measuring the angle of steepness of the terrain.
Clinometer? What on the earth is that good for?
It dawned on me that clinometer is needed by ice and snow campers and outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen traveling in the snowscape. Why? Because avalanche prediction and prevention methods utilize the angle of slope of the ice and snow mass that can turn into that unstoppable runaway freight train.
This is a compass that almost everyone will enjoy using and you can grow into it as you become a more advanced pathfinder. If you own this compass then look no further as this is the one to have. It will be difficult to go wrong with the purchase of this instrument.
Note that Silva makes dedicated cases for this compass. The latest are made of light weight but well constructed nylon fabric with velcro closure. Silva has offered leather cases in past years specifically made for this model compass and they snap shut with a very rugged metal snap. I do not know if the leather case is still made. In any event these cases do help make these compasses more accessible and why not? No doubt anything that gets you using this compass will pay off in the future.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
zlotmachinskyr
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Location: California
Reviews written: 23
Trusted by: 5 members
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