2 X Mars Professional 555 Compass Set with Lead Part, Extension Bar, Technical Pen Adapter, Universal Adapter and Spares Box

I used to have some good technical drawing instruements but, over time, all have been lost, to be replaced by a number of designer bits and pieces that look good but are not really up to precision drawing. This compass set is a piece of good engineering, from the wieight of it to the way everything works: a knurled screw for fine measurement, two sprung press clips to release the screw and allow fast adjustment. Everything is well made and made to last. There is a small tube with 2 spare leads and a double ended point is you want to use the compass as a pair of dividers, and extension bar for large circles, a universal pen holder and a smaller one for Staedtler's own technical pen range. I tried other makes of pen in this fitting and they don't work, but the universal holder allows a wide range of fittings. In use, its weight makes for positive handling and with a sharp point, slipping off centre is unlikely. Years ago, instruments of this quality came in a velvet lined box with a leather exterior: this is comes in something much cheaper, but the money has gone into the instrument, not the packaging: all-in-all a fine compass set and well worth 5 stars and the cost.

I looked at other compasses but I wanted something that was robust and solid. There is too much plastic in many of the others for my liking, this one is solid metal and very well constructed - precision engineering. The buttons on each arm provide a quick release mechanism that allows you to extend the arms out very quickly to the approximate length, then you can fine tune it with the wheel to get it absolutely right.The needle has two ends - both VERY sharp - and you can use either end. The hinged leg joints are a bit stiff, which is quite satistying. You can use the pencil-leads or use the universal adaptor for use with an ordinary pencil or pen. The extension arm has a second adaptor which is slightly plasticy and too broad to hold a pencil or even a pen. I presume it's for use with one of their own technical drawing pens.A WORD OF WARNING. According to Staedler's website there's a "telescopic extender bar" in the needle-leg, but mine doesn't seem to have this feature. I presume it refers to a different model?Still worth five stars in terms of quality, but a bit pricey.

A great compass for a great price too, but this compass was so much better in the past, the old type was so much better with a tuning fork end which took a short mechanical pencil, all the same these are built to last, i have used these for over twenty five years and i am still using the first one i bought all those years ago and the others i have bought since, bought another two off amazon about a week ago, a hell of a lot cheaper than it was, these are built to last and are in my view one of the best out there, rotring too make a great compass.

A quality bit of kit. the compass is very firm, even when stretched out, so it draws circles perfectly, unlike a lot of cheaper compasses which expand as they're being used. The quick release buttons make it very quick to change the radius it draws, and the extender arm connects firmly without any wobble. It's a dream to use. Wish I'd got one years ago!

Staedtler Professional Compass, is really great compass set including adapters to enable other pens and pencils can be ised to great effect. I would highly recommend this set.

At last I've found a design of compasses which actually IS precise. I totally fail to comprehend why other manufacturers attempt (and fail) to produce so called precision compasses with a cheapskate marriage of plastic with metal parts with is doomed to perpetual failure.

Nice set, but couldn't quite manage a 400mm arc. If only the bar was 15mm longer...Quite an expensive set. Good quality.

This has been very disappointing- the joint on the compass has worked loose and bends whilst using meaning the compass is useless