Looking for the Best Budget Compass for Hiking? In this post, we go through the best, their features, pros, and what to consider when choosing one.
If you love hiking and traveling to unfamiliar areas, a compass is an important item to have. This tool will help you explore new places with ease and help you determine your way back in case you get lost in the wilderness. It remains reliable in any weather condition, and it’s ideal for people of all ages.
The best hiking compass doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Today, there are a lot of hiking compasses that are budget-friendly, quality, and steadfast. In this post, we have a review of the best budget compass for hiking available on the market. Without further ado, let’s take a look.
Best Budget Compass for Hiking-Top Picks
TurnOnSport Orienteering Hiking Compass
This compass strikes a perfect balance between price and functionality. If you are a beginner, this feature-rich compass is your ideal option. It has all the features you need to learn the basic compass and map navigation skills. The hard-wearing acrylic baseplate displays a compass ruler, an adjustable bearing, and a 1:24000 compass scale. The compass is highly accurate. It has a liquid-filled magnetic needle case which gives you a swift, responsive magnetic north bearing. Besides, the compass has waterproof bearings for use in any weather conditions. The compact and ultralight design makes it a great addition to your hiking and backpacking gear. You can also slip it inside your pocket and carry it wherever you go. At this price, you have nothing to lose. Plus, you can use it for other outdoor activities besides hiking and backpacking. Features
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SUUNTO MC-2 Compass
If you are looking for a hiking compass that’s user-friendly, the SUUNTO MC-2 Compass is your ideal choice. Everything in it is legible and easy to read at first glance. The compass is designed to help you navigate the great outdoors with ease. Besides hiking, you can use it for trekking, mountain biking, trail running, and more. When it comes to construction, the compass is liquid-filled to prohibit the needle’s jerkiness. It comes with a transparent base plate, different rulers, and a precise directional scale which is balanced for northern hemisphere use with USGS UTM measurements. This compass is accurate and dependable in all weather conditions. Not to mention that it provides accurate bearings and easy readings even in low light conditions. Definitely one of the best budget compass for hiking by Suunto who are known for their craftsmanship, accuracy, and pioneering innovation. Features
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Sharp Survival Camping Survival Compass
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If you are looking for a hiking compass that’s operable during the day and at night, the Sharp Survival Best Camping Survival Compass suits you. It glows in the dark making it easy to read regardless of the lighting condition. The compass is ideal for family use. The user-friendly design makes it ideal for both adults and kids. Besides, the 360-degree bezel ensures simple navigation and orientation Weighing just 0.01 pounds, this compact is ultralight, compact, and portable. You can easily slide it inside your pocket and take it with you whenever you want. With this compass, you can never get lost. It’s accurate and reliable. You’ll never have to guess which way is north when stuck in the woods or lost in the wilderness. Features
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COSTIN Multifunctional Compass
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This COSTIN Multifunctional Compass offers the best value for the price. It is crafted with high-strength materials for the ultimate strength and durability. The compass is operable in low light conditions. It has a fluorescent design that lights the dial for easy data reading in dismal environments. This compass is waterproof to ensure reliable performance in extreme weather conditions. The solid construction makes it shockproof, so it can resistant to harsh impacts and accidental falls. When it comes to accuracy, the compass has a built-in bubble which improves its accuracy and minimizes errors. You can trust it to give you the right direction. Overall, this is a great compass for all outdoor enthusiasts. It’s compact, lightweight, and portable. Features
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Coleman Company Pocket Compass with Plastic Case
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Choosing the Best Budget Compass for Hiking
Here are some of the key features you should put into consideration when buying a compass for hiking.
- Rotating Bezel
Rotating bezels are used in taking bearings in the field. Most hiking compasses have a 360-degree bezel. If you want to navigate more accurately, try to look for a compass with smaller intervals from one degree to the other. Additionally, the bezel should be simple to turn.
- Night Visibility
The other important feature that your hiking compass should have is night visibility. At one point in time, you might find yourself stuck in woods or wilderness at night or in dismal environments. A compass that’s operable in low light conditions comes in handy in such situations.
Look for a compass that has a luminous dot on the needle. The orienting arrow should also be clearly visible at night. That way, you are able to follow the direction without the need to use a flashlight.
- Durability
When hiking, the compass is bound to deal with some accidental falls, bumps, and scrapes. To ensure many years of field use, look for a hiking compass that’s made of the highest quality materials. The compass should also be waterproof to withstand extreme weather conditions and impact-resistant for added durability.
- Declination Adjustment
The declination adjustment scale helps you adjust the magnetic north of the compass to the true north. Some compasses have this feature while others don’t. Make sure that the compass you choose has this feature if you want to have accurate direction readings.
Best Budget Compass for Hiking FAQs
- How much does a good compass cost?
Simple compasses with basic orientation features aren’t expensive. They can cost anywhere between $10 to $20. However, if you are looking for a compass that has more advanced navigation features, it will cost you $100 and above.
- What does declination mean?
The orienting arrow on a compass normally points to the magnetic north. Declination refers to the angle between the magnetic north and true north. Generally, declination varies depending on your location on the earth.
- Do I need a compass for hiking?
Yes. A compass for hiking has four cardinal directions for navigation. So regardless of where you go for your hiking trips, you can always return to your starting point and not get lost.
Conclusion
Hopefully, the information provided in this post has helped you make the right buying decision. Any of these compasses will help you determine your location wherever you go. They are easy to use, compact, and easy to carry around. Grab any one of them and use it to navigate the great outdoors.
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