Silva 15 Ranger

Pros: Durable, Simple, and Reliable
Cons: You really have to know how to use one, or it won't help you.

Many years ago when I was still serving in the army, and incidentally still had all my hair, I had another little run in with authority. I was instructing on a recce patrolman course my unit was running. For those amongst you who are militarily...

Pros: Sturdy, accurate, easy to use
Cons: Pricey; declination adjuster stripped out

I bought my Silva Ranger sometime in the late '80s, and it's been on every backcountry trip I've made since then. I'm not into orienteering, but I spend a fair bit of time in remote areas, and a good compass makes navigating on and off trail much easier....

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.

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...

Pros: Legible, fast, accurate, well constructed, no fluff, all utility
Cons: stiff bezel

I purchased this compass to use as my primary map compass. I purchased it based on it's reputation alone having never used any Silva products before. My backup map compass is a Suunto which very good. For orienteering I prefer a lensatic compass.
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Pros: Classic design
Cons: Quality suffers in my example

The Silva Ranger mirror sight compass has been around for years. Known under various type numbers, the compass was originally designed in Sweden and later manufactured in the U.S.A. Over the years it gained a good reputation for quality and accuracy, ...

Pros: Declination adjustment, accurate, durable
Cons: Price, not self illuminating

The Ranger compass is always with me when I travel afield. The sighting mirror doubles as a shaving mirror and survival signal, and the compass always works when needed.

Easier to use than a military lensatic, the Ranger is as accurate as a...