If navigation is actually an important part of your diving, i.e., you use the compass a lot to navigate or learn a site (ie, navigating multiple bearings around an area to reach specific things, including your return to a specific starting point), then the SK 7 just has no equal, whether you wrist mount in the DSS bungie (my way) or use it on a retractor, or hand-hold it. and I think you might be able to put it in a console (not sure about that, though). Big numbers, big side window, smooth and good damping, well-marked bezel, can be used at a tilt, no need for hyper-precise holding techniques. It makes navigating a pleasure.
If a compass is not something you use much, or just for an occasional glance for a very general bearing or direction (ie, "towards shore" "away from shore" etc), then you can go cheap, why not?
I care nothing about "high profile" versus "low profile" in a compass. You are talking 1/2" difference, overall height of the SK-7 is the same or less than my computer. The SK-7's so-called high profile allows it to have probably the biggest and best side view window available.
If 1/2" of "profile" is going to matter, it would be inside a tight wreck and using lines, and then I have no need for a compass anyway and it would be in my pockets.
As for cost, Northeast Scuba had the SK-7 WITH the DSS mount and bungie included for around $70.00. I lost mine and had to replace it. Best deal anywhere and I had it in two days. My first purchase from them, but it won't be my last, and I live in Florida!
