Ranger 2.0 Compass

This used to be standard issue in the Teams.... probably still is. It's the best around. I was a navigator so I got pretty intimate with the earlier version (25 yrs ago, middle pic). Highlights: Global compass, declination can be set to anywhere in the world. This is important if you don't want to have to make calculations in your head while you're tired and hot and dealing with bugs etc. Make the adjustments before you leave home and be done with it. It also has a 1:25K / 1:250K scale (remember, the rest of the world is metric) which as far as I can tell, is the only major brand that does this. It's especially important to me since I make survival maps at the 1:250K scale. Has all the other standard features, scales (1:24K, 1:25K, 1:50K), magnifier, clinometer for measuring steepness, aiming sights, glow in the dark markings etc. The 2.0 version has a couple upgrades: breakaway lanyard (with declination key inside clasp), and scale markers for making map measurements (1:24, 1:25, 1:50 and 1:62.5 for Alaskans), different colored bezels. Also comes with a card for calculating avalanche risks. Best bang for your buck. I just wish they were American made but hey, the Swedes are cool.

After taking this on a backpacking trip in the wilderness of northwestern Montana, my overall impression is: this is an excellent piece of equipment. After my Suunto A-10 baseplate compass started losing its markings (they are beginning to rub off from being in my pack for a few years, making the baseplate essentially useless), I started looking for a better compass with etched or hot stamped markings. I spent hours looking for this information, and no product listings or even packaging mention this important feature. I took a chance on this Silva, and am glad I did. In the user manual (which you can download from their website, see photo of package for that info) it specifically states that most Silva compasses have “hot stamped” markings. I can verify this one does, as you can feel the texture of the markings. It also has little rubber feet to reduce friction contact with the actual baseplate. The declination adjustment is easy to use (with the included tiny screwdriver tip cleverly concealed in the lanyard breakaway joint), the Clinometer is intuitive, and the overall feel is sturdy but not heavy. (86g/3oz)

I recently began teaching map and compass navigation class, and I needed to replace my 1990s Silva Ranger. I have other brands and models of compasses, and I've tried yet others at navigation class in the field, but for me, this is the gold standard. My other recent purchase of another top quality (made in Finland) brand left me disappointed because the needle would often stick, leaving me with a false reading. I sent that one back and bought this Silva instead. I am glad I did! The mirror on this is much larger than other models, and you can virtually eliminate parallax error, getting a perfect reading every time. That's a real upgrade from just about every other mirrored sighting compass I've used. It looks to me like the Orange model has glow-in-the-dark bits, but the Black model does not. It seems like a no-brainer to add that to a compass, but on the other hand, if you've ever used these at night, you might agree that it's pointless. Everyone has an LED headlamp these days, and if you really need the glow-in-the-dark bits to travel cross-country in the woods, you're gonna trip on something in the woods. Use your headlamp and don't worry about it. If this thing lasts 30 years like my old Silva, I'll be dead before I need another one!

It's a pretty decent compass. No comment on the luminous thing cos my old butt is in bed at night. It does what it's supposed to do. I've always found the inclinometer kinda cludgy at low angles. And, yes some of use the inclinometer at LOT (geology thing). I've tested it against my old Silva Ranger (which this is replacing). The Silva Ranger is still the standard for navigation compasses that won't break the bank. I'm very pleased with it. I have more compasses and transits (Bruntons) than anyone should ever own. I'm old, they just seemed to grow because I'm a gearhead. If I don't really, really need the inclinometer this is what I carry. Just works. Take not of caveats about night use ... seems like a lot of folks have issues with that one.

It looks cool. I have several Sunto, Silva and other brand compasses. This is my first Mirror compass. Upon opening, the packaging is marked "Night Use Luminous Markings". After charging up the luminous markings under a bright light, I went into a darkened room. You can see the marks on the base plate ok, not great, but the marks on the needle itself are undetectable, so it's useless in a really dark situation. If you can't see the needle, you probably won't be able to see the luminous marks either. The luminosity is weak, so it's not really adding anything to the compass. Also there is a luminous mark on the top, or maybe it's called the front of the black plastic mirror cover that has a sighting line of luminous paint. Upon closing and opening it for the first time, the line of luminous paint just came off. See the image (compass is on it's side on a mouse pad). The next thing I noticed is the feel of the black plastic lid. There is a sort of "cheapness" to the quality of the plastic. I can't describe it, but I can say that things across the board on most gear these days shows a noticeable lowering of standards. The compass itself seems ok. It's level and the dampening seems fine. The hinge feels good and the lid stays in place with a good hold. The degree ring has got a rubber grip which feels kind of nice. There is a positive grip to it when turning the dial, but we shall see if that lasts. It has 3 grippy feet, I guess if you are using the compass on a flat surface that would aid in holding it in place, the scales are all standard, magnifier ok. Lanyard needs beefing up for sure. I think it will work fine for the most part. The luminous markings are certainly the worst thing about this compass that I see after first unpackaging it. I will update this later after field testing. 4 stars for the crappy luminous paint.

great for helping with map reading

i love this compass. LOVE IT. and the glow in the dark feature is handy- not least of all when you're in a pit toilet and you can't see what you're doing and you don't want to accidentally drop said compass. trust me, if you use this regularly, it'll come up. compass is sturdy, easy to read, fits in your pocket but can be strung to wear around the neck and the mirror site is a godsend for staying on transepts. at first i was annoyed to be paying $40 for a compass, but after a month out in the field with this gal, i take it back. worth every penny. the transepts we were working on were full of deadfall and giant felled fir trees- not easy to stay on a straight line (photo for reference). this compass really helped when we had to go around impassable objects! definitely recommend! the only thing- I had to get my own string to wear it around my neck. not a big deal at all, but something to keep in mind when you order!

I really like this compass it has everything you need! Set the declination with the set screw and you don’t have to worry about it in the field! I would recommend this compass to anyone looking for one. You won’t be disappointed!