Orienteering Compass for Underwater?

[Cold_Under_Here]

I have one of those classic orienteering compasses used for map work. It is liquid filled and it therefore may be able to withstand pressure underwater.
I was wondering: has anybody out there used a regular compass when diving?... Or is a dive compass needed? Thanks... :06:

[Charlie99]

The only drawback is the smaller tilt angle. Be careful to make sure it's level enough that the needle swings freely and it'll work fine.

I've used both the standard Silva flat compass, and the little mini-ball compasses at depth below 100'.

[Tassie_Rohan]

Hi there and welcome to the Board! I use to do a lot of orienteering in a previous life...

Just make sure that there are no air bubbles in the compass - otherwise should work fine.

Cheers,
Rohan.

[Cold_Under_Here]

Excellent, I'll give it a try on my dive next week.

[miketsp]

I have one of those classic orienteering compasses used for map work. It is liquid filled and it therefore may be able to withstand pressure underwater.
I was wondering: has anybody out there used a regular compass when diving?... Or is a dive compass needed? Thanks... :06:

As Charlie99 already stated the small tilt tolerance will make it a pain to use.
Also most orienteering compasses have a spring loaded bezel - a very fine lateral spring - and these are not normally inox.
So many types will develop rust stains and the bezel will start to rotate freely once corrosion sets in.

[ChillyWilly]

Do you guys know what angle a Diving compass wil handle versus a hicking compass.

Thanks,

[Monkey Knife-fight]

Suunto compass i have is supposed to have one of the largest margin for tilt and i think it's something like 30 degrees.

[Web Monkey]

Speaking of compases, I['m not very happy with the one in my SmartCom, since it's very sensitive to the angle you hold it at (it won't swing freely if it's tilted).

Is there any reason I couldn't use one of those liquid-filled ball compasses sold as keychains? It would seem to be ideal, since it's liquid filled and rotates freely in all planes.

Terry



I have one of those classic orienteering compasses used for map work. It is liquid filled and it therefore may be able to withstand pressure underwater.
I was wondering: has anybody out there used a regular compass when diving?... Or is a dive compass needed? Thanks... :06:

[xiSkiGuy]

Speaking of compases, I['m not very happy with the one in my SmartCom, since it's very sensitive to the angle you hold it at (it won't swing freely if it's tilted). Good computer, crappy compass. I highly recommend the Sunnto SK7. Not cheap, but SO much better than the SmartCOM compass!

http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/SQTSK7.html

[Web Monkey]

Good computer, crappy compass. I highly recommend the Sunnto SK7. Not cheap, but SO much better than the SmartCOM compass!

http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/SQTSK7.html

Think I could fit it into my SmartCom, or would I need to wear it as-is?

Terry

[The Kraken]

Yes, orienteering compasses will work just fine under water.

But for a dedicated diving compass, the Suunto SK7 in unbeatable.

I keep mine on a retractor so I can have it out in front of me.

If you're looking down and reading your compass, you just may bonk your head on the side of the ship you're trying to find.

the K