Compass balancing/zone question

*Floater* · Mar 3, 2006

For vacation divers, do you buy a separate compass for each zone, or is there a compass that will work decently everywhere? Other solutions?

Motivation:

"Compass Balancing
The horizontal and vertical components of the earth's magnetic field vary considerably in different locations. For this reason Suunto compasses are balanced for 5 different zones. If the compass is used in an adjacent balancing zone, many compass pointers will tilt only slightly. However, the farther a compass is used from its correct zone, the more its pointer tilts. In extreme cases, the pointer will stick. For this reason, it is extremely important to know in which country a compass will be used."

spectrum · Mar 3, 2006

Gee you would think the internet merechants would offer you a choice, huh?

I wonder if there are other designs that negate the problem without region specific units?

Pete

oly5050user · Mar 3, 2006

*Floater*:
For vacation divers, do you buy a separate compass for each zone, or is there a compass that will work decently everywhere? Other solutions?

Motivation:

"Compass Balancing
The horizontal and vertical components of the earth's magnetic field vary considerably in different locations. For this reason Suunto compasses are balanced for 5 different zones. If the compass is used in an adjacent balancing zone, many compass pointers will tilt only slightly. However, the farther a compass is used from its correct zone, the more its pointer tilts. In extreme cases, the pointer will stick. For this reason, it is extremely important to know in which country a compass will be used."

the distance you navigate in the water is very short..variation will not be a problem..

Notso_Ken · Mar 3, 2006

oly5050user:
the distance you navigate in the water is very short..variation will not be a problem..

It does not appear they are referring to the variation - it appears they are referring to the local horizontal dip of the magnetic field. If so, as long as as you are at least 45 degrees from the north or south magnetic pole, this should be minimal enough to not present a problem. For those that normally dive in northern Canada, and want to go dive in Northern Finland, such a compass could be of value.

For those in Florida, don't waste your money. Just buy a good normal compass.

Ken

Compass balancing/zone question

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Floater

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spectrum

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oly5050user

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Notso_Ken

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