A-30 SH Compass

Good compass. This is very much like the old Recta compasses, and of course Suunto bought Recta, but I wish they had kept an equivalent of the Recta DT200 which is just like this model but without the large magnifier, which I never use, and used the space for a 1:50000 romer and had a 1:25000 romer on the top and right hand edge of the baseplate instead. Romers are much more useful for UK OS maps than single scales. But it is what it is and if this is the arrangement you want, then it cannot be faulted - it works well, as it is supposed to, it is well made and 5 stars. A little stiff to move the capsule round, but that would be worth losing a half star for at most and I will give this compass the benefit of the doubt and keep the rating at 5 stars. Another peculiarity, at the time of writing, concerning this listing is that there are 2 versions - a USGS NH version for the northern hemisphere, and a metric version for the southern hemisphere. If like me you are in the northern hemisphere, which the UK is, of course, there will be a noticeable depression in the north end of the needle, meaning it points down, and needs the compass to tilt in order to move freely. It may be useful to have a choice but it would have been nice to have had the choice of a metric version for the Northern hemisphere, so buyers need to take care with the labelling - "SH means southern hemisphere and NH means northern hemisphere.

Good tool, indeed it shows magnetic north, but you have to be carefull were you use it because magnetic sources will make the needle show north in different direction. If I want to use it at work, where we build magnetometers and gradiometers, north is obviously in every direction :)) . It lights up in the dark but not like in the picture posted. My phone s24+ did it's job too well. In reality light is not that bright. I bought it as I wanted to have a better understanding of Earth's magnetic field lines and it helps. The capsule where the needle is could have been a bit deeper so the needle has more room to move. Many times the needle touches the bottom or the top and because it's not too strong it stops moving freely, so you have to hold it slightly at an angle, in line with the magnetic field lines.

Ordered took a week or so, to come from the States but worth it.Good solid bit of kit,even ordered the case to keep it in.Fits lovely in your pocket.The thing I like is you can set the compass variation and don't unless you go to a dirrent area need to compensate.

A good compass for every day map navigation

Fully met my expectations. The dial is a little stiff, but oherwise excellent.

Does what it says on the tin.