Is it time for a new compass? Curious about the different options available? Let us help you determine the best option for you.
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X-Compass
| Model 2 | Model 3 | Model 8 | Model 9 | Model 8* Elite | Model 11 | Model 22 | |
| Price* | $60 | $60 | $60 | $60 | $75 | $40 | $31 |
| Speed/Stability | Fast | Stable | Stable | Super stable | Super stable and fast | Good | Moderate |
| Face Display | Compass degrees | Compass degrees | Rainbow colours | Clear | Rainbow colours | Compass degrees | Compass degrees |
| Special Features | Coloured housing allows for quick rough bearings | Coloured housing allows for quick rough bearings | |||||
| Available Plates | All X-Compass Plates | ||||||
| To order | Click here | Click here | Click here | Click here | |||
| X-Compass Plates | Baseplate | Left Open | Right Open | Left Closed | Right Closed | Wrist Plate |
Str8
| Str8 Original | Str8 Kompakt | Str8 Evo | Str8 First | |
| Price* | $105 | $105 | $68 | $34 |
| Face Display | Clear | Clear | Clear | Dark, not over map |
| Special Features | Adjustable thumb angle Anti-slip map gripper Aluminum housing | Adjustable thumb angle Anti-slip map gripper Aluminum housing | Adjustable thumb angle Plastic housing | Worn on hand where |
| Available Plates | Left or right thumbplate | Left or right thumbplate | Left or right thumbplate | No plates, can be used on either hand |
| To order | Click here | Click here | Click here | Click here |
*If price on chart and price on product page are different, price on product page is taken as accurate.
Factors to Consider when Choosing your Compass
Target Audience
We offer the X-Compass Models 11 and 22 and the Str8 First as affordable options for school, cadet, scout, guide, and other groups. For recreational and competitive orienteers, we recommend X-Compass models 2, 3, 8, or 9, and any of the Silva or Str8 compasses.
Plate
Type
When selecting a compass, one of the first things to consider is the type of plate you want. We generally recommend thumb plates for orienteering. If you are more familiar with a baseplate, it may take a few tries out in the woods with a map to get comfortable with the thumb, but we think you will learn to love it relatively quickly.
The thumb plate allows you to keep map and compass together and helps you keep in contact with the map.
Left or Right
If you choose a thumb plate, you want your compass in the same hand you like to hold your map. It is not related to whether you are left- or right-handed. By the way, if you choose an X-Compass, you can watch this video to learn how to switch a compass from left to right if you ever change your mind or lend it to a friend.
Open or Closed
This is only an option for X-Compass thumb plates, and it is entirely personal preference. Some people like the open as they feel it gives their thumb a better grip on the map. Some prefer the closed as it gives them a longer red direction line to point them forward.
Silva compasses come with open thumb plates. Str8 compasses use the anti slip pad rather than the thumb to grip the map.
Adjustable Thumb Angle
If you feel that you might hold your thumb compass at a bit of angle and your direction line isn’t pointing straight ahead of you, then this feature of the Str8 compass might be right for you!
Module
Reaction Time and Stability
Consider whether you want a quick reaction time of the needle and less stability in pointing your direction, or a bit slower to get there but more stable when it is there.
Face Display
Orienteers tend to NOT look at the degrees on the compass. The “rainbow” version (available in Silva and X-Compass) allows you a quick glance at your compass for the direction you want to run.