M-3

This is a review of the Suunto M-3 NH, sold by DIPNDIVE, which I purchased for $31.45 in June 2018. The "NH" in the product name means "Northern Hemisphere". A map on the packaging shows that this model is not recommended for Australia, Antarctica, New Zealand, half of South America, or half of Africa. Also, since no ordinary compass will work well near the magnetic poles, the map seems to show that it is not recommended for the northernmost parts of Alaska, Canada, or Russia. Nothing on the compass itself says Northern Hemisphere. The advantage of the M-3 is its declination adjustment. In my area, the difference between true North and magnetic North is 14.3 degrees. With a regular compass, one has to remember whether the magnetic North pole is to the left or right of the geographic North pole. This gives a lot of opportunity for error. But with the M-3, the user can easily set the declination and all will be well for use in that area. The declination is set by turning a tiny screw. It is on the bottom of the compass at eight O'Clock in the attached image. The scale that shows 14 degree west declination is seen at four O'Clock in the same image. The compass comes with a small non-magnetic screwdriver attached to its lanyard. Adjusting the declination only moves the orienting arrow. The orienting lines do not move. The result is that the compass needle points to magnetic North as always, but the dial indicates true North. I have attached an image of the M-3 sitting on the compass rose of a nautical chart. The chart is "oriented"; meaning that I carefully turned it so that its vertical lines run North and South. Note how the dial is set to North, the baseplate points to true North, and the needle points to magnetic North, which is 14.3 degrees to the left. A negative review of the M-3 described getting a fake Suunto. The compass that I received did not have any of the problems that he described. The needle on my compass is fluid dampened and works nicely. It definitely has a jewel bearing in the center. (Putting a flashlight under the compass shows that the center of the needle is not just metal.) There is no bubble in the fluid. The whole compass is high quality and well made. The luminescent parts of the compass work fine. I suppose this could be useful in moonlight on open ground, where there might be enough light to walk around without a flashlight. But if the night is so dark that you need a flashlight, wouldn't you just use the flashlight to read your compass? The compass comes with a strong plastic clip to connect the lanyard. But it is not needed. It is just as easy to connect the lanyard with a catspaw knot as shown in the attached images. The M-3 is known as a "baseplate" or "Silva System" compass. I find this design much easier to use than a lensatic compass. The Cammenga military compass is more complicated and can be very hard to read. In my opinion, baseplate is the way to go. The size of the M-3 is about 4 5/8" by 2 3/8". The M-3 perfectly agrees with my old Boy Scout compass. I do not see even one degree of difference between them. The reason to buy a Suunto M-3 instead of a $5.00 compass from a big box store is the declination adjustment, and the confidence of having a high quality device that will be sure to work when you really need it.

The Suunto M-3G Global Baseplate Compass is "the" item for anyone who hikes and explores the wilderness. The art of navigation using a paper map and a mechanical (but reliable) device like compass, is fast disappearing, thanks to the ubiquitous GPS systems, which everyone seems to be carrying around these days. While, the modern digital technology does give us far more accurate and far too much information than needed, it has made us totally dependent upon it, that we just take what it tells us. Now, consider a situation, where you have run out of battery or you not catching GPS signals because of the inclement weather has made it difficult to zero down on your position or a solar storm has disrupted satellites and you are still not out of the woods (literally!). Here is where your map reading skills and compass skills come in handy and it is no exaggeration to say that, this is what may make a difference between a hard and easy situation. That being said, this is a well made, aesthetically designed handy instrument. The M-3 Global compass can be used in both the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere, though chances of me going for a hike in a southern hemisphere country is quite remote, still this compass can work in both parts of the world. The compass bearing has illuminated dial and the bearing can be read in the dark. The compass can be adjusted for local magnetic declination for more accurate determination of the directions as well as the direction of travel. The compass also has various scales of 1:50000, 1:25000 and 1:24000. It has a magnifying glass to aid read finer print in the maps and it comes with a lanyard that can be tied to the compass and you can either hand it around your neck or your wrist. The compass also has a clinometer to gauge the altitude, height of tall objects or land marks. This product is worth the money spent on it.

This compass has a declination adjustment (with a supplied tool--a tiny screwdriver), luminescent markings, an inch- and centimeter ruler, a scale for using 1:50,000 topographic maps, a lanyard and a global needle that is very forgiving as to how level you hold the compass. It lacks a "sighting aperture" and mirror---but as you get older, you discover it's really hard to read the small numbers reflected from the compass dial to the mirror. You can take surprisingly accurate bearings by just holding the compass at waist level and pointing it at the desired terrain feature. In fact, this is how the Army teaches soldiers to use the lensatic compass. This one is easier to use in conjunction with a map. You can measure distances with it on a map, and then quickly orient your map with the terrain. There's a magnifying lens built in so you can see certain map details better. There is also a lanyard for wearing the compass around your neck or securing it to your belt or other piece of gear. Once you determine the grid-magnetic angle for your particular locality, you can use the supplied declination tool to adjust your compass for your local magnetic declination---once set, you can forget having to convert magnetic azimuths to grid azimuths and vice-versa. If you want to travel at night, just charge up the luminescent markings with a light source, and you're good for about four hours. You can rotate the bezel to line up the compass needle with the "dog house" and you will stay on track (I don't particularly recommend traveling at night--due to snakes in summer and holes you can fall into year 'round!). I'd recommend carrying this compass in a pouch, or compass case so it doesn't get banged up. This is a precision instrument which should last you many years with just a little bit of care. GPS devices are great, but they can fail and their batteries can drain. This compass will always point north, and if you know how to use a map and compass, you should not get lost. Suunto offers a limited lifetime guarantee, which is better than any of the other compass makers out there. That means Suunto will repair or replace the compass over its normal life. It's made in Finland, a country which still cares about quality and it shows in the way this compass is made. Highly recommended!

This is a very high quality compass that sadly, has been discontinued. The needle moves smoothly and settles quickly. The markings are clear and sharp. The bezel moves with just the perfect amount of resistance--not too loose and not too tight. The night time illumation is very strong. The declinaation is pretty easy to adjust (but the markings are a bit small). I do wish it had romer scales, but I can live without them. I considered the MC-2 Global, but this is a lot less bulky and otherwise pretty much the same plus, this was less expensive. I am unhappy to see that it has been discontinued. This looks like it leaves a gap in their compass line as there is nothing between the A-30 and the MC-2. I looked at the Bruntons which have a lot of very nice features, but the quality is iffy (and they are expensive for what you get) and some parts are cheap (like the declination adjustment markings being just a sticker). I was tempted by the Silva, but their reviews were not as high as the Suuntos.

This is definitely the best compass I've purchased, and having the adjustable declination is essential when you are going off-trail or traveling far from home. The plastic baseplate is super solid, the fluorescent markings are bright, and there are no bubbles inside to mess with the needle. That said, I do agree with some of the complaints in other reviews. The needle rattles pretty loudly, though luckily not so much when it's carried vertically hanging from your neck. Also, the lanyard that comes with it seems kind of flimsy, as does the tiny flathead 'screwdriver' that comes attached to it. It's already bent and I've only used it once. I'm tossing it out and just taking an eyeglass screwdriver with me when I know I will need to. BUT it does the job, it's accurate, and apart from the accessories, it feels like it will hold up for a long time. I don't think I'd trust any other brand in this price range.

This is with a question one of the very best quality and value combination a compass you could buy. I teach wilderness navigation classes to 150+ students annually, and this is the one compass I recommend for all of them. Other brands such as Brunton and Silva have had some definite quality control issues recently, and I presently cannot recommend these two brands. But Suunto has been producing quality compasses for a long time, and this is a great one. Here's why it's terrific. - ergonomic design. The curved and of the compass is a reminder to always hold this in your hand when taking a bearing, or have that on your current location when you're plotting a bearing on a map. This greatly minimize is the most common mistake when using a compass, which is holding it backwards with the direction of travel arrow pointing it yourself. - adjustable declination, the most important feature. Once your compass is adjusted for your local declination, (which you can easily find with a web search for "magnetic–declination" all bearings are then taken to true north, which eliminates all the confusing backcountry arithmetic. - luminous dial, in two degree increments - well balanced needle that quickly settles on North in a liquid dampened housing - easy to read direction of travel arrow - clear long baseplate, good for using as a straight edged to plot lines. - for those of you wondering if you need a mirrored compass, the answers probably no. A mirror can be handy for backcountry grooming and putting in contact lenses and things like that, but most users will find the tiny bit of extra accuracy and buy a mirror is not needed in most backcountry navigation. A mirror also adds cost, weight, and is one more thing that can break. All in all, this is currently the best compass available at this price point. (and you definitely want to buy this compass on Amazon, at REI I think it is presently $43).

A great compass, with a smooth turning action. I used it for 10 days backpacking and have zero complaints. The declination adjustment can be tricky when first using it, but was easy once I figured out I should insert the included mini-screwdriver into the slot, then turn the compass over to look at the faceplate while turning the screwdriver blindly from the back. The best part is it never runs out of power and never needs charging. It just works. And with minimal care I think it will keep working.

I got the global compass and i would recommend that you get one as well. I watched a video on the difference between a global Suunto and Norther Hemisphere Suunto and the global is better. The compass is great. I now own this MC-3G an MC-2 Northern Hemisphere and the Mini Clipper. When I check these 3 against my iphone and garmin tactix 7 and they all are perfectly in sync. Suunto makes great compasses that's why i own 3. One for every bag (the clipper is to have a back up just in case garmin tactix battery dies.

Super Qualität

Superbe instrument.

Brilliant Compass that eliminates all the troubles that you have ever had with a cheap compass. Global needle can be used anywhere in the world. You can set declination which means not having to faff around adding or subtracting a few degrees for each bearing. Easy view clear to see degrees. Dial has raised points so you can turn the bezel easily and accurately even with thick gloves on and the whole thing lights up like a christmas tree in the dark after shining your torch on the illuminous markings. Stays glowing for hours. Good tilt angle on the needle doesnt get jammed easy and the liquid inside prevents the needle from wobblying in inclimate and freezing weather. I was a bit weary about paying more than what I thought for a compass but this is well worth the money. Well thought out piece of kit.

ほぼ同じのシルバとどちらにしようかと思いましたが、 中国製とフィンランド製で、あっさりスントに決めました。 それ以外は甲乙つけがたいと思います。

Simple but adequate for most short distance navigation. It doesn't have a hinged cover and mirror which seem to break often. It has a magnifying glass, measurements to scale, a declination adjustment, and luminescent markings. We are using this for short distances at slow speeds, either hiking or canoeing. So it does not need to be super precise. It is not waterproof but will be kept in a waterproof map case except when it is being used. For our purposes, it has the durability and ease of use that we require.