help selecting compass to buy

[NY700]

Hey guys I'm looking to add a lensatic compass to my kit. I was looking at Cammenga for its precision and durability. Was debating between the phospharus and tritium version. I love the idea of tritium and hve several watches with it but liked the idea of longer life with the phosphers model. I than saw they have a third option listed as the 3HJP JP for Japan that appears to have both tritium and phospherus. Was wondering if anyone has any additional info on this third model and specifically is it a redundant luminouse system or just certain pieces like my Marathon watch which has H3 for the numbers and hands but luminouse paint for the bezel and second hand.
Thanks

 

[camocorvette]

Re: help selecting compass to buy

I used the tritium cammenga. Got it at the PX for like 74 bucks. Worked for me on land nav, night and day. Its been tossed around, dropped, and beat up and I still have it after about 5 years and would not hesitate to use it. Now I'm sure there's more expensive ones out there. I say go with the tritium one. We had people on land nav courses that bought the cheap one and you couldnt see it unless you shined a light on it. So at the very least get the tritium cammenga. Good luck and dont get lost...

 

[Fatorangecat]

Re: help selecting compass to buy

Cammenga compasses are tanks. I prefer the phosphorous for night navigation. The tritium is too bright for me. Either way you will have a very nice compass.

 

[Fatorangecat]

Re: help selecting compass to buy

I avoid artificial light for night navigation and let my eyes adjust to the dark.

 

[NY700]

Re: help selecting compass to buy

Thanks for the input guys. I think I'm lockedin with the cammenga line. Everything I have heard and read leads me to believe they are solid and accurate. But does anyone have any info on the 3HJP modal. Like I said I like tritium. But if this is a dual lume option it sounds like a winner so in 10-12 years its not cooked like the tritium version. It would than make a perfect backup of secondary pack compass.

 

[Fatorangecat]

Re: help selecting compass to buy

I don't know anything about that model if you find a review post it.

 

[NY700]

Re: help selecting compass to buy

This is the modal I have questions about. I sent an email to cammenga but I have not heard back yet
http://www.cammenga.com/product_p/3hjp.htm

I'm thinking it has lower tritium levels to comply with ether a export restriction or a Japanese import restriction and it appears to also have phospherus based on the description.

 

[ofelas]

Re: help selecting compass to buy

You won't be left short with either the phos or the tritium version; the platform is bulletproof.
I've used the same tritium piece for over 12 years, the tritium still glows.

 

[scotharr]

Re: help selecting compass to buy

This has been my compass my entire adult life to include Ranger school, 25th ID, hunting, etc.: http://www.amazon.com/Silva-Ranger-515-CL-Compass/dp/B003XOU28K

Regardless of what you pick, make sure it has adjustable declination. some nice things about this particular one:
-distance measuring for common scales.
-ability to set your compass readings directly off the map.
-nice mirror/notch for accurate readings. I still have my original compass: over 20 years old and still the best:scratches and all

 

[Fatorangecat]

Re: help selecting compass to buy

I have a Silva Ranger as well and they are very nice.

 

[ewoaf]

Re: help selecting compass to buy

cammenga hands down

 

[canman]

Re: help selecting compass to buy

I have always used a Cammenga and I'm to the point of familiaization that I was reluctant to try the Silva Ranger a friend suggested. I glad I did the Ranger is a great tool. I carry both and I'm still learning the Ranger but it's a great compass.

 

[plong]

Re: help selecting compass to buy

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Scooter-PIE</div><div class="ubbcode-body">This has been my compass my entire adult life to include Ranger school, 25th ID, hunting, etc.: http://www.amazon.com/Silva-Ranger-515-CL-Compass/dp/B003XOU28K

Regardless of what you pick, make sure it has adjustable declination. some nice things about this particular one:
-distance measuring for common scales.
<span style="font-weight: bold">-ability to set your compass readings directly off the map.</span>
-nice mirror/notch for accurate readings. I still have my original compass: over 20 years old and still the best:scratches and all

</div></div>

^^^ This! Do yourself a favor: at least take a look and consider the Silva. I've done a fair bit of land nav and while I'm not sure if it was equipment or practice but I was pretty much always faster with my Silva than the guys with Cammengas.

 

[PaulStafford]

Re: help selecting compass to buy

you might research Orienteering compasses. Those guys need something robust and easy to use.

 

[NY700]

Re: help selecting compass to buy

I have considered the sila ranger. I have a basic silva explorer that has served me well. Just read an interesting artice regarding the silva ranger.
I just received a response from Commenga. Looks like the 3HJP has a lower amount of tritium to comply with eiterUS export or Japanese import laws. To increase the effective brightness they doubled it up and added phosphoresent paint to it as well. So you get a bright output at night but not as bright as the standard 3H model which some have commented my actuallybe too bright. You get 10+ years of tritium use which for me works well because often times its in a pack not getting charged in daylight and if I needed it at night and didn't have a light source it would be usuable plus you get the longer lasting lume paint.