BIJIA Orienteering Map Compass -Sighting Mirror Compass with Adjustable Declination,Clinometer and LED Light for Hiking,Camping,Orienteering,Hunting,Global Mountaineering, Navigating and SAR Training

Got 3 of these as starter compasses to learn orienteering and navigation for myself and my 2 sons. I wanted something that would mimic a Suunto MC-2, but that I wouldn't be to broken up about if it got broken or lost. We're not the most careful people. So this particular unit in the $12-$15 price range more than fits the bill. We put stickers on ours to differentiate whose is who's. I have a green little alien on mine. We have yet to try starting a solar-induced fire with the magnifying circle, but the magnifier was one of the reasons this unit was shortlisted. I checked the cardinal directions on our compasses against other cheapie compasses I had on hand (you know, those whistle combo and button types, but we all know you can't fully trust those). All 3 compasses generally pointed in the same direction as well in terms of consistency in the product. I also checked and set my area's declination against the NOAA Magnetic Field Calculator (I have the link saved to the screen menu of my cellphone for always-access) as well as the little compass that comes up on Google Maps. I also for sure know where North is by my house in general and the area of my job. So this compass checks out as far as I am concerned. For any beginner who is not aware, anytime you bring up an online topo or regular directional map, the top line edge of that map or screen is always in the direction of North. Now if that's True North or just magnetic north, I have not confirmed that fact with 100% certainty so YMMV. Also, while you're certifying coordinates make sure this (or any other) ompass is not being thrown off by metal or nearby magnets that are on your person, clothing, in picnic tables, in your phone, by firearms, etc. The little flashlight attached to the lanyard is a nice bonus, but I don't have high hopes for that thing lasting. It's amazing to me how some people buy things at the most dirt cheap price possible and complain that something is deficient or eventually fails to work, but I digress. If this whole unit survives and functions for 6 mos. to a year, I would consider that a Big Win. I would personally NOT take this unit on a big, long-term thru-hike or into a serious wilderness area for an ad hoc hike either. Maybe as a backup compass. I would just go ahead and drop some cash on Suunto, Silva, or Brunton in the $35-$75 range as your main deal. Don't be a cheapskate when your life could be on the line.

Overall a good beginner compass. I got it for a class. The needle sticks a little if the compass isn’t perfectly flat which can be difficult when trying to take a reading.

We stopped for a break on our hike this morning, long enough to do a comparison of this compass with two similar models from a well-known supplier. To my amazement, all three were in total agreement right down to the degree readings! I did notice the two name-brand units seemed to settle more quickly - that is the ONLY difference we observed. This compass appears to be well made and designed. Compared to my $70.00 (+) name-brand, everything works well and functions properly. That's ALL you can ask of ANY compass! GOOD BUY and well pleased!

Basically, this reminds me of the old Silva Rangers, but with a thicker base plate. The price is tremendously lower though, and it seems like a high quality unit. I almost didn’t find the adjustment screw, but it was in a separate tiny plastic folder tucked in the box. Seriously though. A good compass is critical to my occupation and I see younger coworkers getting 80$ compasses that you can’t even adjust the declination on. I was pretty skeptical of the very low price and wasn’t expecting something with a stated lifetime warranty. Realistically, I’d be happy if it lasted two years without developing an air bubble or having all the map scales wear off. It seems like a quality item and I am recommending it to some of the new graduates on my crews who went and bought expensive compasses at REI that are basically useless for our purposes due to no declination adjustment ( or exceedingly difficult adjustment), no sighting or mirror to check your needle position, and no map scales or measuring scales. See-through base plate scale makes for expedient measurements for artifacts and a photo scale that is just as good as a ruler for smaller items.

This is basically a copy of the Silva Ranger 2.0 or Suunto MC2, at about a quarter of the price. As far as I can tell, the compass points north compared to my other compasses. The mirror cover assembly is good and shuts securely. It has some useful features, such as different scales, a magnifier and so on. However... The clinometer is sticky, sometimes it moves freely and sometimes it doesn't. Not something I would trust. It does have a declination adjustment, but the scale inside the ring doesn't line up with the outside ring (degree scale) so that could lead to incorrect settings and readings. It has glow in the dark paint on a couple of points and the degree scale glows but the needle doesn't glow, so you still need a light to use it in the dark. Why? Speaking of, it comes with a very small and flimsy led light. I'm sure it will last a few minutes at least. It comes with a whistle that doesn't work. Not a lot of thought or quality control was put into this thing. Oh, they also claim it has a global needle. I can't verify that for sure, but as I understand it a global needle should tilt more than a non global one. This one is about the same as all my other non global ones, so I wouldn't count on it being a real global compass. Bottom line, it will work for what I want which is a backup or loaner. It will work for teaching a kid, provided you check and understand its limitations. But I really wouldn't recommend it if you are inexperienced with using a compass or don't have a good one to check it against. Honestly 3 stars might be a little generous...

Nice compass, adjustable for magnetic/true north. Has glow in the dark dial & indicator lines. Silicone base pads help keep it in place on the map and avoid scratching the acrylic base. Mirror in cover aids in readings, of course they’ll show up backwards! Liquid filled bezel makes pointer move slow and steady. No air bubbles either! Easy reading markings on dial, suggest purchasing the red dial unit for best reading clarity. Ittsy-bittsy screwdriver for adjustments to mag/true north, and a tiny LED light included on neck cord. No case of any sort included, I used an old cloth eye glass case for storage of mine. Quite sensitive to metal interference nearby, that’s a good trait, so stay away from large metal objects and remain outside of anybuilding.

I had high hopes for this compass when I got it. It has all the features of the more expensive Silva and Suunto models at a fraction of the price. I couldn't find another compass model with declination adjustability, a sighting mirror, and a transparent base for less than twice what this cost. And when I first received it, I was delighted, as it did everything the higher-end models did when I tested it out on maps at home. There is one odd quirk in that they separated the 1:50k and 1:25K UTM scales, which makes both UTM scales very small and makes it tough to find precise UTM easting and northing. Also, the product title says this has a built-in clinometer, but a clinometer exists on this compass, I couldn't find it. The big issue came when I first got it out into the field, however. If this thing is anything other than absolutely level on a flat table, the needle stops pointing reliably North. Instead it turned with the bezel. Rather than "putting Fred in the shed", Fred was following the shed around like a puppy. As you know, if you're in a situation where you are using this kind of compass for navigation, finding a clean, level spot to put your map on is rare. Also, it seems incredibly sensitive to the presence of metal. Get a pen anywhere near it and it swings off North. And while keeping pens and paper clips away from the compass was easy, keeping my metal glasses frames away from it while taking a bearing was nigh-impossible. I was tempted to give this 2 stars, because it did work sometimes, and reviews indicate others didn't experience the accuracy issues I did. If you don't have metal glasses frames and tend to hike in places with a lot of flat level objects, this might work well for you. However, I think that given the nature of the work you expect from a compass, the risk to others is too great not to give it a single star. Ultimately, I had to return this. I was excited about the potential savings, but when I'm on a scramble, my compass may be the difference between a lovely day out and a satellite beacon for search and rescue, and my life is worth more than $50, so it's back to the old reliables for me.

So far the compass is working great but not sure of the clinometer - haven't really paid attention to it. I do like the fact it has adjustable Declination. I used it to verify bearing line on property and it was working well.

Got it this morning and although it points north you have to hold the compass on a tilt to it levels up and points north. Otherwise it gets stuck

Cheap knock-of of quality makes, but those are actually no different now. Azimuth ring very stiff and hard to read. Needle magentism a bit weak and slow to align. not much needle clearance to swing freely and therefore more difficult to use at night as cannot see if being held level in the dark. Has USA grid scales not uk, incorrect description. ok for light practice but not safe to use for serious navigation in hazardous areas.

The BIJIA Orienteering Map Compass is a multi-functional compass designed for a wide range of outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, orienteering, hunting, and search and rescue (SAR) training. It features several helpful components for accurate navigation and measurement. Here's what I like: Sighting Mirror: The compass includes a sighting mirror, allowing for precise bearing measurements and long-distance aiming. Adjustable Declination: The compass allows for easy adjustment of declination, ensuring accurate readings regardless of your location. Clinometer: The built-in clinometer helps measure angles and gradients, useful for terrain assessment and elevation calculations. LED Light: The LED light provides illumination for compass use in low-light conditions, enhancing visibility and accuracy. Durable Construction: The compass is made from high-quality materials, ensuring durability and reliability in various outdoor environments. Things to consider: Complexity: The compass has multiple features, which might require some learning and practice to master. Size and Weight: While compact, the compass might be slightly larger and heavier than some basic compasses, potentially affecting portability for some users. Accuracy: The compass's accuracy can be affected by factors like magnetic interference and user error. It's essential to practice and understand proper compass use. Overall, the BIJIA Orienteering Map Compass is a versatile and feature-rich tool for navigation and outdoor activities. Its sighting mirror, adjustable declination, clinometer, and LED light make it a valuable asset for hikers, campers, orienteers, hunters, and SAR professionals. However, it's important to note its complexity and potential for user error. Proper practice and understanding of compass use are essential for accurate navigation.

No soy experto en orientación, pero se ve de buena calidad y las funciones corresponden a la descripción

Very good product and useful for my studies.