Looking for the Best Compass Watches for Men,Women, Military, and more? Read on as we comprehensively cover the best.
Advantages of Compass Watches
- Ease of use. Most compass watches have an easy compass to read. Others are also bright which makes them very useful even during nighttime.
- Lightweight. Unlike GPS watches which are heavier and more bulky, compass watches are light in weight.
- Fewer breakage risks. The best compass watches on the market are made with simple and robust technology with a very low risk of breakage.
- Most compass watches are made with durable materials that are able to withstand different weather elements. These watches are mostly water-resistant.
- Compass watches are ideal for different outdoor activities such as hiking and camping. Compass watches with heart rate monitors are useful for athletes who want to keep track of their fitness levels. They are also used by people with heart conditions to ensure that their hearts are working well without being over-stressed.
Best Compass Watches
| Product | Image | Price |
| Casio Men’s Pathfinder Triple Sensor Multi-Function Sport Watch |  |
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Suunto Core All Black Military Outdoor Watch |
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| POLAR Grit X – Rugged Outdoor Watch |  |
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| X-Plore Gear Emergency Paracord Bracelets |  |
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| Casio Men’s SGW100 Twin Sensor Digital Watch |  |
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| Gosasa Men’s Military Sports Digital Watch |  |
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| G-Shock Mudman Compass G9300 |  |
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| Casio Men’s SGW-1000-2BCF Triple Sensor Digital Display Quartz Black Watch |  |
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| G-Shock GG-1000 |  |
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Nowadays, the best compass watches do more than just tell time. There are certain types of watches that also provide a person with the luxury of showing direction.
With the best compass watches, you are able to tell the time and direction using only one device. Compass watches available in the market are quite many. In the world of advanced technology and a consistent internet connection, the compass watch is becoming a common item for hikers, campers, and those who actually want that look that compass watch gives.
Knowing the time when hiking or camping is very important. It lets the hikers know what time of the day it is avoiding them from being caught up in the dark unaware of where they are.
The best compass watches provide hikers and campers with ease in route navigation to ensure that they never get lost when out there in the woods. The best compass watches will keep you moving in the correct direction and remain aware of where you left your camp behind. Certain compass watches also have the GPS feature for ease of navigation
SUUNTO Core All Black – Military
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SUUNTO Core All Black – Military
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With this compass watch, you get an Altimeter to track your vertical movement, a compass for direction, and a barometer for air pressure information.
The watch has User-removable logbook files, 1-meter Resolution, and recording intervals of 1 second, 5 seconds, 30 seconds, and 60 seconds. Another great feature is a stopwatch and Countdown Timer. The compass has a 7 days Weather memory
Features and Specifications
- This is the best Weather and explorer information watch. It comes with an altimeter, compass, and barometer.
- Has an Intelligent storm alarm which is very effective in the notification of approaching storms.
- Ability to track the sun and other weather conditions
- Stylish Designs
- Wrist-top computer watch
- Low Battery Indicator
- 2 years Warranty
- 7 days Weather Memory
- Water resistance: 100 feet
- Weight: 2.26 ounces
Pros
- As one of the best compass watches in the market, the SUUNTO compass watches provide a wide range of stylish designs for you to choose from according to your taste and preferences.
- This compass watch has a barometer, altimeter, and a compass
- Has a built-in weather trend indicator
Cons
- Has no South Indicator
Casio Men’s SGW100-1V Twin Sensor Digital Black Watch
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SUUNTO Core All Black – Military
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Features
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The Casio Men’s SGW100-1V Twin Sensor Digital Black Watch is one of the best compass watches on the market. The 200M water-resistant compass watch design is the perfect choice for sports, exploration, work, and outdoor activities.
Features and Specifications
- Sensors: Direction and Temperature
- LCD with three segments ensures there is better clarity, understanding, and better presentation of data.
- Has Innovative Technology
- This compass watch is sleek and has a sporty style.
- Has world time settings (29 times zones/48 cities) and an auto-calendar
- Declination correction
- Convenient stopwatch, four daily alarms, and one snooze alarm
- Model number EAW-SGW-100-1V
- Size of case:51.5 x 47.6 x 13.2mm
- Display range: -10 to 60 C (14 to 140 F)
- Approximate battery life: 3 years
Pros
- Long battery life: up to 3 years
- World time settings: Can be used worldwide
- A wide range of uses
Cons
- Like other top compass watches, it has no barometer nor altimeter
Timex Intelligent Quartz Tide Temp Compass Watch
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Timex Intelligent Quartz Tide Temp Compass Watch
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Features
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Features and Specifications
- Dimensions: 0.4 x 0.4 x 0.4 inches
- Model number T2N720
- Analog Display Compass with adjustable declination angle.
- Tide Tracker is very effective in telling when the next tide will occur, either high or low
- Has a Digital Thermometer able to measure temperatures even underwater
- Electroluminescent technology
Pros
- The INDIGLO Night-Light and the Electroluminescent technology helps in the illumination of the entire watch face at night and in dark conditions
- The Intelligent Quartz technology effectively displays information digitally
- The temperature sensor provides reading in Celsius or Fahrenheit
- Stainless steel case
- Exceptional style and performance
- Comfortable silicone strap
- Water resistance to 100m
Cons
- Can not be used for scuba diving
- Not water resistant above 100m
Timex Men’s T49612 Expedition Shock Digital Compass
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Timex Men’s T49612 Expedition Shock Digital Compass
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Features
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A bold and affordable compass watch that is water and shock resistant to I.S.O standards. This compass watch is light and durable to serve you for many years. The Indiglo nightlight makes it easy to use the watch at night.
Features and Specifications
- Water-resistant up to 200 meters (660 feet)
- Shock resistant to I.S.O. standards.
- Crafted nylon strap and lightweight resin for durability.
- Has the Indiglo lamp for better illumination
- Product Dimensions: 4.7 x 3.5 x 2.9 inches
- Digital Compass
Pros
- The buckle ensures the compass watch remains on the wrist even in rough conditions.
- The Indiglo nightlight gives easy viewing even in the dark and other unfavorable conditions.
- Durable Resin Case
- Water-resistant to 200m (660 ft)
- Affordable compass watch
Cons
- Not suitable for scuba diving
- Rough Exterior
Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Compass Watches
Finding the best compass watch can be a bit hectic as the compass watches available on the market are many. When selecting the best compass watch, consider the following factors which will help you to get the ideal product that will suit your needs.
The brand.
Nothing sucks like having your watch stop when you most need it. That is why it is important to stick to watches that have been in the market for a while and those that are well known. Good examples are Casio and Timex. This, however, does not mean you should limit yourself to these two brands only, furthermore, they were also once new in the market.
Sticking with the famously known brands such as Casio or Timex is the most sensible thing to do when selecting the best compass watch. However, this doesn’t mean that we totally ignore the other brands only that Timex and Casio brands are known to provide quality products.
Durability and style.
A good watch is one that can withstand the different elements. Because of this, most/all watches should be water-resistant. A good watch has the highest depth (more than 100m) up to which it can still remain water-resistant.
A good compass watch should also be stylish too. This way, you can go with it for a hiking trip, and also wear it on a casual day out.
Options.
A good watch is one that gives the users a range of options to choose from. Options, in this case, may mean the color and material of the band. The wider the range, the better it is to choose from.
Features.
The best watches are the ones that are manufactured by designers who understand that the more features a watch has, the better it is to use outdoors. The key features you need to look at are if the watch is bright and useful for the night.
Some watches have the ability to predict weather while others have a battery that lasts for months. A great watch should also offer important altitude and heart rate. Some watches even have a calorie and step counter.
If you get a compass watch with the following specs, go for it as the features come as a bonus. You should, however, consider what impact it makes on you the user.
Price and value.
No matter how good a product is, it should not cost more than what it can deliver. One important thing in rating watches is the guarantee given by the manufacturer.
A manufacturer is willing to give a generous guarantee if he knows his product is of good value. You can also check if the product is associated with good customer support after purchase. You can also look at the value by following the same product on the internet to see if it has a website that will make you understand the product better.
Go for an affordable compass watch that meets all your needs.
Quality.
Since you are getting a compass watch, it is important to know what type of compass the watch has. The two types of compass watches are 2D and 3D. a 3D watch is better than a 2D because you can view the compass from any angle. For the 2D, you will only get a view when the watch is at a perfectly horizontal angle.
Reliability
One important feature to consider when selecting your compass watch is the reliability of the compass since outdoor activities highly rely on direction.
It is important that the compass watch that you purchase will deliver supreme performance. It should be able to withstand consistent use and you need to have a watch that you are confident will not stop working when you are in dire need.
To get a reliable compass watch, select the one that is made from high-quality and durable materials. It should be resistant to scratches, heavy-duty, water, and dustproof.
In addition, its band material should strong enough to avoid any loss in case it breaks off. Another way of ensuring complete reliability is by ensuring that the watch’s battery life is long and that the replacement battery is easy to find.
Water resistance
Many compass watches are designed to be water-resistant however, the degree to which they can do so varies greatly. Normally, the deeper you are able to submerge your compass watch the costlier it will be.
This is an important feature to put into consideration if you intend to buy a compass watch that you will be using when boating or when engaged in other water sports. What you need to pay key attention to with water-resistant compass watches is how to replace the battery when the need arises.
The water resistance is normally determined by a rubber ring on the inside of the back cover. If this piece is set up incorrectly, water will end up infiltrating therefore, it is best to have this done by an expert.
A good compass watch is one that is able to withstand all weather elements. You should select a compass watch that is made of quality materials to make sure that it will last longer.
Ensure that the watch that you select has not only a tough case but also a similarly designed band. The best compass watch out there in the markets can be able to last for decades. If you want such a watch, you should also be prepared to pay the price. Also, remember about those models that are capable of surviving free falls from over 10 feet high.
Battery life
Certain compass watches are solar-powered and therefore require regular exposure to the sun to keep them fully charged. Others have replaceable batteries that are regularly replaced.
As you face these detail, you will have to consider how long of the journey you intend to venture out on. If you plan on taking long-distance journeys on a regular basis, you will require a compass watch with a battery that is able to stay the course and keep your watch performing throughout the whole journey.
Accessories
Nowadays, compass watches come with several accessory features that are very useful. A good compass watch for outdoor activities will have features way beyond what you will find in the average dress or basic sports watches. Some of these features include a thermometer, altimeter, heart rate monitor, and barometer.
- Thermometer. Compass watches with these functions enable the user to set the preferred scale- Celsius or Fahrenheit. The disadvantage of it is that for an accurate reading, you can’t wear your watch because your body temperature influences the reading. The thermometer helps you know how hot or cold the air around is. This helps prevent you from catching a cold when outdoors.
- Barometer. A barometer is used to predict the weather. This comes in very handy if you are out there in the woods and have to forewarn of the impending storms and some of the compass watches even have storm alarms that help you seek shelter in time.
- Heart rate monitors. Compass watches with heart rate monitors are useful for athletes who want to keep track of their fitness levels. They are also used by people with heart conditions to ensure that their hearts are working well without being overstressed. Heart rate monitors are found in digital compass watches only.
- Altimeter. The altimeter in your compass watch lets you know how high above sea level you are. This makes your navigation simpler. The altimeter reading can be altered by the barometer. Most of the models will not automatically read either, and you have to input the data manually.
Compass Style
Compass watches are mostly digital watches. The compass is often not the needle style, but rather a digital readout that can be accessed at the press of a button.
Compass watches are not created equally and some give a more vague readout, while others are more precise down to the accurate degree. What you should know about this feature is that you might have to have it calibrated. Certain watch models will require you to hold your hand in a certain way for an accurate reading.
Budget
When looking for a compass watch it is important to consider your planned budget. There are different compass watches with varying price ranges to suit different budgets therefore, there will always be one to fit your budget.
One important thing to look at when buying a compass watch is the guarantee offered by the manufacturer. A manufacturer offering a generous guarantee is confident in the product they are making. You should therefore select a compass watch that provides great value for your money.
Accuracy
For a compass watch to be deemed as the best, it must be able to tell the time and the directions correctly. Inaccuracy especially in the compass will render the compass watch useless.
In addition, the time on the watch must have the option of being adjusted easily. This way you will be able to always ensure that the time on your watch is always accurate.
Design and aesthetics
The design of your watch is a matter of personal preference and it should be appealing to suit your taste. The color and material used to make the watch should complement the activity and attire. Additionally, the watch should be lightweight to prevent feeling bulky as you will be wearing your watch frequently.
In summary, Choosing the Best Compass Watches requires you to know the features you want. Go to the store with the features you want in your watch in mind. This way, you will choose the best option.
- What other functions do you need the watch to perform? There is no point in getting a watch with additional functions that you will never use.
- Battery life. Some watches use solar power to charge the battery, while some batteries have to be replaced. Ensure you get the one that will suit your needs.
- Ensure your watch has functions you will actually need for example a barometer, a thermometer, and an altimeter.
- Your budget. Get an affordable compass watch
- Water resistance.
How to Clean Compass Watches Safely
Cleaning a watch might not sound like a big deal, but cleaning it safely is everything. It will determine the lifespan of your compass watch in the long run. Before you clean your watch, there are two things you need to consider:
- Water resistance. If your watch is not water-resistant, it shouldn’t come close to any water. Simply wipe the watch with a soft, dry
- Band Material. If your watch band is interchangeable, remove the watch case from the band and wash each part separately. Make sure you choose the right cleaning technique depending on your band type.
- Step 1; make sure the crown is properly screwed down to prevent water leakage into the movement. Get mild soap and add to some warm water.
- Step 2; wipe down the watch case. For a water resistance watch of up to 30m, a damp cloth is the best option. Higher resistance watches can be scrubbed by a soft-bristled toothbrush and cleaned a bit more thoroughly. For 100m+ resistance, you can soak the entire watch. However, if you’ve built up a lot of grime, you can take it to a jeweler for professional cleaning.
- Step 3: rinse the residue with the same tool used in step three. Dry with microfiber as it will not scratch your watch and will give a nice shine.
Compass Watch bands can be cleaned depending on their material. If it is metal, use the same mild soap to clean the face. Leather bands cannot be exposed to water so just wipe off with a soft dry cloth.
FAQS
- Do compass watches break easily?
The most flimsy part about compass watches are the brands, and that’s for comfort purposes. The face of most compass watches, including the glass, will always be sturdy. They are built to withstand scratches, bumps as well as light damage.
- Can I change my watch band?
All compass watches bands can be changed, it is just up to the company how hard they want to make it. Always check on the instructions for more band information to check what your option are.
- Which is the best, analog or digital for a compass?
Some argue that the compass on an analog watch is more accurate than that on a digital watch. Due to the way the compasses are implemented in compass watches, there are certainly no advantages to either. It’s purely aesthetic and nothing more.
- Are digital compass watches affected by magnetic materials?
Yes, the principle of the compass in the watch is the same as other compasses. It identifies the north using the magnetic field. If you are using your watch in an area with magnetic materials nearby, they can interfere with the watch causing distortion.
- Do compass watches work in the city?
If you check most of the instruction manuals that come with compass watches you will realize that they recommend that in order to set your compass watch, you should be in an open area away from tall buildings, vehicles, metallic objects, cars, phones, televisions and also electromagnetic radiation which are found mostly in urban areas. Compasses tend to encounter an issue called magnetic deviation, which is when your surrounding environment interferes with proper and correct compass readings. The above objects tend to interrupt the True North of the compass which causes loose calculations. The compass will still work in the city, however, you may not be getting an accurate reading.
- How accurate is a compass watch?
A compass watch applies exactly similar methods as the regular compass magnetic attraction. Therefore, a compass watch is just as accurate as any other compass out there.
- Does the compass on my watch need to be calibrated?
Yes, the compass on your watch requires to be calibrated. To maintain its accuracy, your compass will require to be calibrated frequently using the directions given in the operator’s manual.
- What is better, analog or digital? The answer to this is none. Though most people argue that an analog compass watch is better, this is purely aesthetic. The only difference is how the compasses are implemented on the watch.
- Are the readings accurate? The reading on the compass is most likely accurate. The others especially temperature is likely to be inaccurate because it measures the temperature of your body. The solution to that is removing it from your wrist.
- Can my compass give me the wrong directions? Yes, it can. Since the basic principle of a compass is a magnetic force, if there are other magnetic forces around you, it is likely you get inaccurate readings.
Using a Compass watch
For a Compass Watch Buying Guide to be very useful one needs to know how to use a compass watch.
- Compass use in the northern hemisphere requires you to hold the watch horizontally with the hour hand pointing sun, between the point and the 12 o’clock mark points to the south. Let’s have an example, if it’s 8 o’clock, point to the 8 on the watch face the sun, the south direction will be at the 10 o’clock position. At 12 noon, the hour hand points to the south. Halving the angle between the hour and 12 o’clock position is used because there is a single rotation in a day but the hour hand goes twice for a full 24 hrs day’s rotation.
- For the southern hemisphere, one is supposed to have the watch held horizontally pointing the 12 o’clock pointing to the sun’s direction.
- In the tropics, the use of compass watches proves to be such a task especially due to the fact that there are two solar maxima. Here the sun either points to the north or to the south depending on the season of the year.
Compass Watch Brands
The best Compass watches Buying Guide lists the best Brands for Compass watches. Here is a list of some of the best compass watch brands in no given order.
- SUUNTO -Suunto Oy is one of the best companies in the manufacture of watches, dive computers, compasses, and other precision instruments. The company was started by Finnish orienteer and engineer Tuomas Vohlonen when they founded the mass production of the liquid-filled compass. Compass Watches by Suunto are your companion whenever you go. Some of the Best Features of the Suunto Compass watches include: Altimeter- The altimeter is used to determine your elevation, it’s mostly used by wilderness hikers, skiers, and mountain hikers to track the progress of their outdoor activities. Barometer- a barometer is used to measure the atmospheric pressure, the barometer helps you predict possible storms and other harsh weather conditions. Compass- A compass will help you find your way even in the harshest of conditions. The compass watch has sunrise and sunset times for over 400 locations in the world.
- CASIO– Casio is also one of the leading compass watch companies and brands. There is no compass watch buying guide that goes without mentioning Casio watches. Casio is a Japanese company with a branch across borders, Casio is known for Watches, calculators, cash registers, digital cameras, and more products.
- LAD WEATHER- LAD WEATHER is an outdoor brand that manufacturers watch and a wide range of outdoor products. It has great prices and takes a keen interest in fashion.
- Timex– Timex is another leading watch manufacturer and brand. Timex is an American company with interests in Fashion, Watches among other sectors. Timex Watches are classic, advanced, and affordable. Timex does not only make compass watches but also straps and bracelets.
- DIGITAL MULTIFUNCTION – Digital Multifunction is another leading brand that specializes in compass watches.
- EZON– One of the best selling companies when it comes to watches, from compass watches, sports watches, and heart monitors among other types of watches
- SUN ROAD- enjoy outdoor activities with a wide range of SUN ROAD watches
- TEKMAGIC- TEKMAGIC has some of the best compass watches on the market
Digital and Analogue Compass Watches
Every compass watch buying guide will tell you that there are digital and analog compass watches and each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Digital compass watches are mostly electric ones using electric sensors for magnetic fields. Digitals ones have 11 degrees error while the analog ones have 1-2 degrees error.
Electric compass watches are great for direction but can’t surpass the accuracy of analog compasses. The digital ones cannot be used mostly because the batteries cannot last that long and are prone to magnetic interference. Analog compass watches are way better.
| Analogue Compass Watches
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| Digital Compass Watches
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Conclusion
Think about all the features you will be using and check to see if your preferred watch has them. If yes, check your budget and go for it. Getting a watch that meets your preference in this day and age should not be a hard task. This is your comprehensive guide on the Best compass watches on the market.
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