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Suunto MC-2G Navigator Compass

$62.99
$84.00^*

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Item # 652898

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This full-featured compass lets you take accurate bearings with a sighting notch and mirror, plus its patented Global needle works anywhere on earth.

Baseplate features magnifying lens, straight edge and inch markings for accurate map reading
Declination scale is adjustable to account for the difference between magnetic and true North; adjustment key is included on lanyard
Easy-grip bezel reads in 2-degree increments and features luminous outer ring for low-light reading

There has never been a compass that could function flawlessly in all zones of the world--until now! Compass accuracy outside of limited latitudes can be flawed as changes in the magnetic field affect the position of the needle. Suunto's Global compass needle solves this problem with a patented structural innovation. The needle and magnet are built as separate units functioning independently from each other, so that the inclination of the magnetic field cannot tilt the needle.

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Item 652898

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Suunto MC-2G Navigator Compass Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Suunto MC-2G Navigator Compass

4.2

(based on 9 reviews)

78%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Accurate (6)
Reliable (5)
Strong construction (5)

Cons

Best Uses

Backcountry camping (8)
Survival (6)
Day trip (4)
Kayak / canoe / rafting (3)

- Reviewer Profile:
- Outdoor enthusiast (5), Professional (4), Outdoor professional (3)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (5)

Reviewed by 9 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-9

Apr

2012

(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

3.0

Good but not great

By Fred 1234

from Idaho

About Me Outdoor Enthusiast, Search and rescue

See all my reviews

Pros

Luminous marks
Strong Construction

Cons

Lack of precision
Sloppy fit of bezel

Best Uses

Backcountry Camping

Comments about Suunto MC-2G Navigator Compass:

I have owned a number of Silva compasses over the years but wanted to try the Suunto MC2G last year. It is good, but not great. My biggest complaint is that the round black ring assembly is a very loose fit in the baseplate and you can push it side to side so much that it allows about a 2 degree error in measurements.

The second problem is that the markings on the round black ring are hard to read, compared to the Silva Ranger. They are fat and do not precisely align with either the top or bottom index marks, so you can't get precision closer than about 2 or 3 degrees: okay but not what i expect for a top of the line compass.

There is a little bit of parallax error when trying to align the needle with the baseplate arrow. With practice you can overcome this, but the Brunton OSS 70M circle in circle system seems better to me.

The global needle does seem more tolerant of holding the compass out of level, but it is better just to develop good habits of holding your compass level.

This compass has a nice luminous ring and luminous marks for night work; better than most others.

At this point, i like the Silva Ranger or the Brunton OSS 70M better, unless you do a lot of night work.

Comment on this review

Jan

2012

(5 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

MC-2G The Best

By ridgehunter

from Vancouver, WA

About Me 30 Years of Experience

See all my reviews

Pros

Best while moving

Cons

Best Uses

Backcountry Navigation

Comments about Suunto MC-2G Navigator Compass:

When you're navigating in the backcountry you usually want to keep moving. This compass's unique needle design allows for more accurate on the go travel via a compass bearing. With practice it is just as fast as a GPS. Also, the needle housing is not liquid filled so air bubbles can't be a factor in the needle movement. One feature this compass has that is not unique, but is a feature every mirrored sighting compass should have is a black line running down the middle of the mirror. This is important for when the line goes through the center of the needle's reflection in the mirror you can be assured your bearing is straight and true.

Comment on this review

Jan

2012

(7 of 7 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Global needle is a plus

By DrewTheEngineer

from SoCal

About Me Outdoor Enthusiast

See all my reviews

Pros

Accurate
Multi use
Reliable Performance
Strong Construction

Cons

Best Uses

Backcountry Camping
Survival

Comments about Suunto MC-2G Navigator Compass:

Works as advertised. Much better than the MC-2 compass which had sticky needle problems (maybe a batch of southern hemisphere balanced compasses got shipped to the US?)

One advantage to the global needle is that it doesn't have the sticking problem even if the capsule isn't held perfectly level, as on a regular needle.

One complaint is that there isn't enough contrast between the light orange north end of the needle to the white south end, they are nearly indistiguishable under red light.

Comment on this review

Feb

2011

(8 of 57 customers found this review helpful)

1.0

Worse Compass EVER!

By sardog

from Keller, TX

About Me Outdoor Enthusiast, Professional, SAR Professional

See all my reviews

Pros

None

Cons

Difficult To Read
Inaccurate

Best Uses

Backcountry Camping
Day Trips
Survival

Comments about Suunto MC-2G Navigator Compass:

I bought this compass based on reviews and a recommendation. And thought maybe something so expensive had to be great.It is absolutely the worse compass I've ever owned. You can get a better compass at [...].Go demo this at REI, don't just buy online like I did.In fact I've had 5 of the top national compass instructors in SAR demo this compass, because I thought it could not really be this bad. They cold not believe how terrible this compass is. In fact its very frustrating when everyone was getting different readings.The numbers are hard to read. In fact 60 looks like 80, 160 looks like 180.The lines are not clear if your eye site troubles you in the least bit, you'll get confused.Try this compass instead: Brunton 15TDCL Please save your money, I've tried this compass now on 5 certified courses. I'm so disappointed in this product its not even funny.

Comment on this review

Jan

2011

(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

perfect for travel

By g-mac

from Everywhere

About Me Professional

See all my reviews

Pros

Accurate
Reliable Performance

Cons

Best Uses

Backcountry Camping
Campgrounds
Day Trips
River Trips
Road Trips
Survival

Comments about Suunto MC-2G Navigator Compass:

If you travel internationally and want only one compass, this is it.

Made in finland. Backed by lifetime warranty. Global needle technology.

The MC-2 Global compass allows for someone to have a compass that works anywhere in the world.

It is also constructed well and has luminous markings in more places than other compasses allowing for easy use in low light situations. A compass is a very important piece of equipment. If you are going to be traveling in the wilderness get this high quality compass.

Comment on this review

Aug

2009

(23 of 25 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Would not leave home without it....

By Gizmo

from Cornelius, Oregon

About Me SAR Professional

See all my reviews

Pros

Accurate
Adjustable declination
Compact
Easy To Set Up
Reliable Performance
Strong Construction
Waterproof

Cons

Best Uses

Backcountry Camping
Day Trips
River Trips
Search and Rescue
Survival

Comments about Suunto MC-2G Navigator Compass:

Ok,
Let's get down to it... most outdoor enthusiast usually will buy a GPS not a Compass. Which is one reason people get lost and we are called to find them. So I urge people that are doing any type of outdoor adventure to buy a compass along with their GPS. GPS's can fail they are electronics devices that require electrical power. Know to get down to the review. This is a very accurate compass, it has an adjustable declination, and incline indicator, easy to read back azimuth, glow in the dark bezel and some rulers as well. The small size is very affective for storage anywhere on one's person. Remember to print out a map on were your going and keep it on you just in case.

Comment on this review

Jun

2009

(30 of 30 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Good compass

By Anthroman

from Tacoma, WA

About Me Professional

See all my reviews

Pros

Accurate

Cons

Use wear

Best Uses

Backcountry Camping

Comments about Suunto MC-2G Navigator Compass:

Great compass... I highly recommend it. Far better than the others in same price class. It is definitely worth paying the extra couple of bucks.

I use this compass everyday for work and have been very happy with it. Tried a couple of others and ended up returning them because they just didn't cut it.

The only issue I have with it so far is that after a month of frequent use the numbers on the dial and edges have started to rub off. A quick and easy solution to this problem is to put a layer of clear nail polish on when you first get it. Most people probably won't have this problem, but then again I use it for work and it gets a lot more wear and tear than the average user would put on it.

Still the best compass for the price.

Comment on this review

Nov

2007

(40 of 43 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Quality leads

By Senior Trekker

from Santa Rosa, California

About Me Avid Adventurer, Outdoor Enthusiast

See all my reviews

Pros

Accurate
Reliable Performance
Strong Construction

Cons

Best Uses

Backcountry Camping
Bushwacking
Survival

Comments about Suunto MC-2G Navigator Compass:

This is a very well made tool, far superior to other compasses in its class with which I am familiar.Quality is what counts, not advertising. Spend the extra 15 bucks

Comment on this review

Oct

2007

(76 of 76 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Great compass

By bender

from Vancouver

About Me Gearhead, Outdoor Enthusiast, Professional

See all my reviews

Pros

Accurate
Reliable Performance
Simple Controls
Strong Construction

Cons

Best Uses

Backcountry Camping
Day Trips
River Trips
Survival

Comments about Suunto MC-2G Navigator Compass:

As a geologist and outdoorsperson, I've used many compasses over the years, Brunton, Nexus, Silva and Suunto. The MC 2G is the only baseplate compass I've used that has the same sighting hole at the base of the mirror that geologist's pocket transits have. This is a brilliant feature. It makes it far easier to obtain an azimuth.

I don't use a compass at night but I do find the black on white of the luminous bezel easier to read than the usual white on black.

Easily the best baseplate compass available.