SOL® Sighting Compass & Mirror Rotating Bezel magnify glass declination adjustable clinometer hiking hunt cycling backpacking walking pathfinder exploring geology Outdoor emergency search rescue teams

Delivered as advertised, perfect for my needs.

Some good features (based on Suunto MC-2 NH) but none of them really work as they are supposed to.Its a mirror compass, so its supposed to stay open at 45 degrees so you can sight. It doesn't, the hinge is floppy so you need to hold the mirror open to use.The capsule dial should rotate fairly freely with a pleasing action but stay where you put it. It doesn't, its VERY stiff in parts and feels like it will very soon be too loose in other parts of the rotation.Its supposed to light up in the dark so you can still see your bearing in the dark. It lights up enough to say it does on the description, just not bright enough to actually use, unless you are walking in total darkness where you can't even see your own feet! Not enough luminous paint.The lanyard is the cheapest piece of fraying rubbish I ever saw, another 2 cents would have made it perfectly acceptable!It's a pity, the compass does have some good features. The adjustable declination works well, or at least it does if you can work out how to use it. There are no instructions. Similar mechanism to the Suunto MC2.The compass does just about function, but it doesn't give you any confidence that it will continue to do so, nor does it give you any of that feeling of operating a precision instrument that you normally get from a compass.Does it feel like £22 worth? No. If it was £10 I'd probably have kept it and modified it work acceptably. Returning it today.

Received 12/29/2021, $17.65 before taxes. Currently, 02/03/2022, $17.99. The Suunto MC2 which seems to be the version modeled after is just over 41 dollars on Amazon.The MC-2 is a very well regarded compass. Another version of the MC-2 is $70. The difference seems to be in the mapping scales represented on the base plate. The one I'm using for comparison is several years old but still functioning well and hasn't gotten any bubbles.The differences I see between the SOL and the Suunto in addition to one costing twice a s much as the other, is - there were no air bubbles in the SOL compass. Very, very important. I've had the Suunto for years without a bubble forming. Time will tell for the SOL. - the directional needle of the SOL functions almost as well as the Suunto. Important feature. - I checked the North point needle reading of the SOL against the Suunto. They are the same. - a tool is provided for each to adjust the declination. The screw for the Suunto is on the underside. The SOL screw is on top. - the SOL has holes thru the baseplate where the scales join for a pencil, etc to anchor to a map. The Suunto does not. - the Suunto has markings on the outside edges of the black cover for map work. The SOL does not. - the Suunto has better luminous markings. Very important for night navigation. -.the mirror on the Suunto seems to be better and doesn't fog up as much as the SOL. Even so, not a bad mirror. - there an inch ruler and a mm ruler on different sides of the baseplate of both. - both have a magnifying lens approximately 1/2 in in diameter built in the baseplate.I'm NO expert in navigation or compasses but, for my knowledge level the SOL is a good compass and one I can rely on for everyday use. Also a backup to the Suunto. A map and compass are highly important parts of a kit. Navigation is similar to fire, always have a backup/second method with you. I know from experience, when a person is lost or disoriented in the back country the tendency is strong to distrust navigation instruments.There are cheaper compasses. But $20 is not bad for a critical piece of equipment. Putting a person's life at risk with a button compass or the battery of an electronic device doesn't seem like a good plan to me.I hope this review will help someone's decision. I bought mine with only my experience with SOL products. I have a number SOL products as basic to my kit.

The cover with sighting mirror was very loose and the compass bezel does not rotate smoothly (sticks and grinds while turning), but most at this price ($20) do not have an adjustable declination setting. The third one I ordered as a gift came with the factory packaging damaged and torn and the bezel would not rotate properly. It looked like it had gone through a war already and couldn’t be given as a gift. On the positive side Amazon shipped a replacement fast at no cost to me, the replacement was in good condition.

Picked this up a few days ago as an extra. I have an old Silva Ranger, so, I picked this one up to go in an auxiliary bag that I sometimes use. I checked it against the Silva and they read the same...that's really all I needed. The case on the SOL just feels less sturdy, more flimsy and lighter weight. Maybe not a negative, just my perception, when compared to the Silva.

Haven’t had to use this yet, but it seems reliable.I am keeping this in my get home emergency kit.Easy to read, like the fact it came with lanyard. It would be nice if it came with more detailed instructions. On the whole pleased.

It's OK for messing around in the backyard.Not for navigating in the wilderness.