Suunto M-3D Leader Compass
This product is not available. Good news: we have a newer version.
A great all-around compass sized to slip in your pocket or hang from your neck.
Shop newer version- Adjustable declination scale accounts for the difference between magnetic and true north; lanyard key adjusts the scale to match your location
- Scales, rulers, and magnifying lens help in orienteering and mapping
- Rubber feet keep compass in place while working with maps
- Large, notched bezel is easy to turn; 0-360 degree scale is divided into 2 degree increments
Imported.
| Best Use | Backpacking |
|---|---|
| Analog or Digital | Analog |
| Increments | 2 degrees |
| Scale 1:24,000 | Yes |
| Declination Adjustment | Yes |
| Declination Scale | Yes |
| Liquid-Filled | Yes |
| Ruler | Yes |
| Magnifying Lens | Yes |
| Lanyard | Yes |
| Dimensions | 4.9 x 2.4 inches |
| Weight | 1.6 ounces |
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Nearly the perfect compass
This is a great compass. The other reviews hits all the finer points so I will point out that I prefer to get gear that has multiple functions. Example many compass's do not come with a magnifying lens. The lens can be used to read smaller detail on maps but also can be used to start a fire with sunlight. This compass magnifier works to start fires if needed. My only con is I wish they would devise a system to hold the compass declination tool. Currently you can place the key around the lanyard but then it sticks out. A better design would be for the key to attach to the bottom of the compass.
Outstanding compass
Great compass. First thing I did was replace the included cord with a paracord strap. Included declination adjustment tool I just tied to the paracord so it would not be lost. I love the glowing indicators at night. Also a main reason I got this compass is the magnifying lens set in the base. Does it help on the map, yes! Does it also work to light tinder yes! Makes this compass a great survival addition.
Don't leave home without it
In some ways this seems like a silly review, after all it's a compass, right? Well, not so fast. The point here is, it's very durable and includes all the basics you need, such as the most common scales. The most important feature is the ability to set the regional declination, using a small screw underneath. Set it and forget it, not withstanding the declination does change over time. So many people get themselves in trouble because, "we were just out on a day hike and we had a map." It is VERY common that not all the trails are on your map. I can tell you from personal experience how quickly an innocent little day hike can go wrong. I also use a GPS, this combined with a reliable non electronic compass is a must. This is a simple quality product. The minute you find yourself saying "which way is the trail head, wish I had a compass," is a minute too late.
I would buy this product again
I had a Silva compass and it was junk. Big air bubbles with higher elevations. This compass gives me confidence, adjustable declination was easy but don't lose the key, red lanyard makes it easy to find if you drop it (once so far), and has all the features one might want except angle of terrain. I personally do not like the fragile mirror sighting option on other models since I used those n the military. Magnifier is useful as well.
Suunto M-3D Compass
I have always used a military compass but hated dealing with the declination. The Suunto M-3D has an adjustment for the declination which makes this compass ideal to use with topographical maps. I find this best for making routes where I can use the compass on the map as well. The construction is of high quality and the price is reasonable.
I teach map, compass and GPS together
I have taught basic to advanced mountain climbing skills for 40 years. Comments: The Suunto M-3D Leader Compass simply meets my detailed traditional requirements! Here is why: 1. A reasonably long, transparent plastic base-plate for pointing the compass at objects in the field and for joining points on the map and it has a prominent index mark indicating the direction of travel. (The three little rubber feet help you use the edge of the compass to find and draw your bearing on the paper map.) 2. A big rotating compass needle housing marked in two degree increments. The housing has a transparent base which is marked with true north-south meridian lines which, together with the long compass edge, form a protractor for use on the map. (With one exception, the base plate compass is a protractor when it lies on the map - the needle is disregarded. The one exception is when the housing is dialed in to true north and the compass is placed on the edge of the map to orient the map in the outdoors, to north and south using the magnetic needle. 3. An adjustable "north indicator arrow" (the red shed), which is set independent of the true north-south indicator lines. Your compass can be adjusted for the magnetic declination in your area! You make your adjustment by turning a "micrometer" screw on the bezel, accurately setting you current declination to one degree using a separate scale marked on the reverse side of the bezel. This virtually eliminates dangerous math in the field. (The 30 year old Silva Ranger was, for many years, the only compass to have this special feature.) 4. The compass needle is designed for specific locations of the globe (M3D is designed for North America) and liquid dampened to slow oscillations and allow fast accurate readings. (Compasses designed for other areas of the globe may suffer drag from "needle dip".) 5. The big rotating compass housing dial is marked in 2 degree increments, from 0 to 360 degrees, clockwise (an azimuth compass). (Beware the engineer's "quadrant" compass marked in 90 degree increments which requires lots of dangerous math in the field) 6. The base plate edges are marked with mile (and meter) scales based on the USGS 1:24,000 quad map scale. 7. It has a base plate graphic marked with a scale for the 1:24,000 UTM/UPS (military) 1,000 meter grid system squares. 8. It has a magnifying spot for your bad eye. 9. The base plate is ergonomically rounded at the back end that is held in the hand (to discourage attempts to hold the compass backwards) and an adequate hole provided for a waist length lanyard to go around the neck (beware of choking!) The lanyard should also hold your loud plastic whistle, near your mouth. Lose the shorty red cord! 10. The Suunto M-3D Leader Compass compass is simple, well designed and made and light weight.
good quality and well designed compass
This is a great compass for use on and off of the trail. The declination adjustment is a great asset and it is very easy to use once set. I can toss it into a pocket before going onto a hike and forget about it until I need to check my bearings. The glow in the dark markings are very useful for when it starts to get dark and you aren't quite were you want to be.
Easy to use and effective
This compass lived up to Suunto's slogan on the packaging, "Replacing Luck." I was four-wheeling in Southeast Utah with six other friends not long ago. After setting up camp one afternoon, we had decided to hike up to a nearby ridge line that ran parallel to the dirt road heading past our site. We had flashlights and understood that it would be dark by the time we came down, but I was apparently the only one who realized that it might not be so easy to find our way back to camp. We would have hit the dirt road on our way down at some point, but there was at least a mile of dense brush to traverse with no moonlight; I took a bearing towards camp from the top before it got too dark, trusting that it would at least save us some time returning to camp. I led the group down and after a while most of my friends became skeptical, some of them saying how sure they were that I was somehow taking them off course. They reluctantly kept following, and eventually we hit the road. My friends were expecting another long hike along the road to get to where they thought camp was. Much to their surprise, we went only 15 yards down the road and arrived at camp. My friends apologized and were ultimately glad that I had led the way with the compass. The compass worked when I needed it, didn't require much effort, and made my trip safer and more successful. There's no reason I wouldn't recommend it.
Almost perfect
I love this compass. It has everything you need: declination adjustment, glow in the dark dials, scale, and rulers.... except a mirror. I should have gotten one with a sighting mirror though. Now I carry a separate mirror as part of my emergency kit. The dial has gotten some sand and debris and isn't turning as smoothly as it once did. After the abuse I've given this instrument, I am very pleased with its performance.
Works well.
For our 1st adventure race(provide map with lattitude/longitudes) must plot destinations then orienteer to them while hiking/running, biking, canoeing. During the day and night. It worked well in all conditions. Was easy to read.