BOS carries compasses from Suunto, Silva, and Moscow, from Boy Scout type to high-end competition compasses.
There are three basic types of orienteering compass: The first type, usually called a "baseplate" or "protractor" compass, has a (more or less) rectangular plate on which the the capsule containing the needle is mounted. The capsule has a ring, or bezel, around it with compass bearings etched into it. The capsule is rotatable, and using guidelines etched into the capsule and base, the user can set a bearing on the compass and easily follow it. The other type is called a "thumb" compass. It is attached to the thumb by an elastic band, and is held directly on the map at all times; its purpose is to keep the map oriented correctly to the terrain. A pure thumb compass has no provision for setting a bearing, but some models do have a rotatable bezel, either with or without the compass headings, and can have a bearing set on them - sort of "combo" models. The third type is a wrist compass, worn like a wristwatch; these are useful when your hands are otherwise occupied, such as in ski-O or mountain-bike-O
All the compasses with compass bearings have 2° gradations, except as noted
There are 2 different lines of compasses bearing the name "Silva". One is from Johnson Outdoors, a US company that makes basic compasses, and the other is from Silva AB, a Swedish company that makes competition compasses.
Baseplate compasses
Silva (Johnson) Starter. Baseplate 2.2" x 3.1", with inch and mm scales 5° gradations. Cat# 16001 $11.40/$11.00
Suunto A-10 Baseplate 2.2" x 4.0" with rounded heel and lanyard Cat 14002 $20.50/$20.00
Silva (Johnson) Polaris. with inch and mm scales. Cat# 16002 $13.50/$13.00
Silva (Johnson) Explorer. Baseplate 2.1" x 3.9" with .75" diam magnifier; inch, 1:24000 and 1:62500 scales, luminous points, lanyard. Cat# 16003 $21.00/$20.50
Suunto A-30. Baseplate 2.2" x 4.3" with 1.1" diam magnifier, inch, mm, and 1:24000 scales, lanyard, luminous needle, bezel and guides. Cat# 14008 $25.75/$25.00
Wristband compasses
Suunto M-9 Wrist compass, worn like a wristwatch. Capsule is rotatable to set a bearing but no compass ring to read actual heading. Cat# 14011 $25.75/$25.00
MOSCOW COMPASS: Moscow compasses are unique in that the capsules and baseplates are all interchangeable. You can, for example get a baseplate model and an extra thumb plate, and switch the capsule back and forth to try out each style. When you order, you specify the capsule and plate, for example 11L, 2C, etc. Guaranteed for 3 years.
TAKE A LOOK AT THE MOSCOW LINE OF COMPASSES HERE
Model 11: Good basic competition compass, settling time 1.5 - 2.0 sec, wide needle, yellow compass ring.
Complete Model 11 compass Cat# 1011 $38.75/$37.50, Model 11 capsule Cat# 1011X $29.00/$28.00
Model 11-0: Similar to the Model 11, but with no compass ring.
Complete Model 11 compass Cat# 1012 $38.75/$37.50, Model 11-0 capsule Cat# 1012X $29.00/$28.00
Model 2: Moscow's fastest needle, settling time 0.5 - 1 sec, narrow needle, white compass ring.
Complete Model 2 compass Cat# 1002 $57.75/$56.00, Model 2 capsule Cat# 1002X $48.00/$46.50
Model 3: Not quite as fast as the Model 2, settling time 1 - 1.5 sec, but more stable, narrow needle, black compass ring.
Complete Model 3 compass Cat# 1003 $57.75/$56.00, Model 3 capsule Cat# 1003X $48.00/$46.50
Model 8: Uses the same needle system as Model 3, but instead of the usual degree readings around the compass ring, it is divided into colored sectors.
Complete Model 8 compass Cat# 1008 $57.75/$56.00, Model 8 capsule Cat# 1008X $48.00/$46.50
Model 9: Needle is more stable than the Model 3/8, settling time 1.5 - 2 sec. Has a full size capsule with no compass ring around it. Although a bearing can be set, the actual heading cannot be read.
Complete Model 9 compass Cat# 1009 $57.75/$56.00, Model 9 capsule Cat# 1009X $48.00/$46.50
Model 8*: A version of the Model 8 with a new damping system, hence even greater stability. Performance rivals any compass on the market.
Complete Model 8* compass Cat# 1013 $80.25/$78.00, Model 8* capsule Cat# 1013X $70.50/$68.50
Model 9*: A version of the Model 9 with a new damping system, hence even greater stability. Performance rivals any compass on the market.
Complete Model 9* compass Cat# 1014 $80.25/$7800, Model 9* capsule Cat# 1014X $70.50/$68.50
The plates are (Prices shown are for just the plate):
C: Classic baseplate, 2.0" x 4.2", mm scale, lanyard. Separate plate, with lanyard and retainer spring Cat# 10PC $9.75/$9.50
LR: The thumb plates are reversible, to use for either hand, 1:10000 scale, with elastic band; thumb squeezes through hole in the plate to hold the map against the compass. Separate plate with elastic band and retainer spring Cat# 10PLR $9.75/$9.50
XLR: A shortened version of the LR plate, with the end of the hole cut off to allow longer thumbs to extend beyond the plate, 1:10000 scale. Separate plate with elastic band and retainer spring Cat# 10XLR $9.75/$9.50
B: A wrist band and mount for a wrist compass. Separate mount and wrist band Cat# 10PB $9.75/$9.50
MAGNIFIER: Moscow Compass has a magnifier, with the newer 50 mm lens, that attaches to the thumb plates, and can be rotated out of the way when not needed. To include this on a compass, add an "M" to your model., such as 2LM. The magnifier price is Cat# 10MAG $20.50/$20.00
BROKE YOUR MAGNIFIER? If the post is still ok, we can replace just the lens. Cat# 10LEN $12.25/$12.00
SUUNTO:Imported from Finland, and guaranteed for life against defects in material and workmanship. The Arrow line high-performance compasses have a two-point needle suspension, so they less affected by tilting the capsule or by latitude.
AIM 6: Replacement for the Arrow 6 with faster performance. Cat# 14011 $68.00/$66.00
AIM 30: Same high performance capsule as the AIM 6 on a baseplate with a magnifier Cat# 14007 $68.00/$66.00
SILVA AB: High performance compasses from Sweden.
Norcompass: Pure thumb compass, no compass ring, maximizing map visibility, and no mechanism to set a bearing. Cat#1601L (Left hand only) $43.00/$42.00
Nor Spectra: Similar to the Norcompass, except that it has a "rainbow" ring around the capsule. Cat# 1602L (Left hand only) $47.50//$46.00
5/18/24