M-3 Compass: Quality, Precision Compass for demanding Conditions

This is a review of the Suunto M-3 NH, sold by DIPNDIVE, which I purchased for $31.45 in June 2018. The "NH" in the product name means "Northern Hemisphere". A map on the packaging shows that this model is not recommended for Australia, Antarctica, New Zealand, half of South America, or half of Africa. Also, since no ordinary compass will work well near the magnetic poles, the map seems to show that it is not recommended for the northernmost parts of Alaska, Canada, or Russia. Nothing on the compass itself says Northern Hemisphere. The advantage of the M-3 is its declination adjustment. In my area, the difference between true North and magnetic North is 14.3 degrees. With a regular compass, one has to remember whether the magnetic North pole is to the left or right of the geographic North pole. This gives a lot of opportunity for error. But with the M-3, the user can easily set the declination and all will be well for use in that area. The declination is set by turning a tiny screw. It is on the bottom of the compass at eight O'Clock in the attached image. The scale that shows 14 degree west declination is seen at four O'Clock in the same image. The compass comes with a small non-magnetic screwdriver attached to its lanyard. Adjusting the declination only moves the orienting arrow. The orienting lines do not move. The result is that the compass needle points to magnetic North as always, but the dial indicates true North. I have attached an image of the M-3 sitting on the compass rose of a nautical chart. The chart is "oriented"; meaning that I carefully turned it so that its vertical lines run North and South. Note how the dial is set to North, the baseplate points to true North, and the needle points to magnetic North, which is 14.3 degrees to the left. A negative review of the M-3 described getting a fake Suunto. The compass that I received did not have any of the problems that he described. The needle on my compass is fluid dampened and works nicely. It definitely has a jewel bearing in the center. (Putting a flashlight under the compass shows that the center of the needle is not just metal.) There is no bubble in the fluid. The whole compass is high quality and well made. The luminescent parts of the compass work fine. I suppose this could be useful in moonlight on open ground, where there might be enough light to walk around without a flashlight. But if the night is so dark that you need a flashlight, wouldn't you just use the flashlight to read your compass? The compass comes with a strong plastic clip to connect the lanyard. But it is not needed. It is just as easy to connect the lanyard with a catspaw knot as shown in the attached images. The M-3 is known as a "baseplate" or "Silva System" compass. I find this design much easier to use than a lensatic compass. The Cammenga military compass is more complicated and can be very hard to read. In my opinion, baseplate is the way to go. The size of the M-3 is about 4 5/8" by 2 3/8". The M-3 perfectly agrees with my old Boy Scout compass. I do not see even one degree of difference between them. The reason to buy a Suunto M-3 instead of a $5.00 compass from a big box store is the declination adjustment, and the confidence of having a high quality device that will be sure to work when you really need it.

This compass has a declination adjustment (with a supplied tool--a tiny screwdriver), luminescent markings, an inch- and centimeter ruler, a scale for using 1:50,000 topographic maps, a lanyard and a global needle that is very forgiving as to how level you hold the compass. It lacks a "sighting aperture" and mirror---but as you get older, you discover it's really hard to read the small numbers reflected from the compass dial to the mirror. You can take surprisingly accurate bearings by just holding the compass at waist level and pointing it at the desired terrain feature. In fact, this is how the Army teaches soldiers to use the lensatic compass. This one is easier to use in conjunction with a map. You can measure distances with it on a map, and then quickly orient your map with the terrain. There's a magnifying lens built in so you can see certain map details better. There is also a lanyard for wearing the compass around your neck or securing it to your belt or other piece of gear. Once you determine the grid-magnetic angle for your particular locality, you can use the supplied declination tool to adjust your compass for your local magnetic declination---once set, you can forget having to convert magnetic azimuths to grid azimuths and vice-versa. If you want to travel at night, just charge up the luminescent markings with a light source, and you're good for about four hours. You can rotate the bezel to line up the compass needle with the "dog house" and you will stay on track (I don't particularly recommend traveling at night--due to snakes in summer and holes you can fall into year 'round!). I'd recommend carrying this compass in a pouch, or compass case so it doesn't get banged up. This is a precision instrument which should last you many years with just a little bit of care. GPS devices are great, but they can fail and their batteries can drain. This compass will always point north, and if you know how to use a map and compass, you should not get lost. Suunto offers a limited lifetime guarantee, which is better than any of the other compass makers out there. That means Suunto will repair or replace the compass over its normal life. It's made in Finland, a country which still cares about quality and it shows in the way this compass is made. Highly recommended!

This is a very high quality compass that sadly, has been discontinued. The needle moves smoothly and settles quickly. The markings are clear and sharp. The bezel moves with just the perfect amount of resistance--not too loose and not too tight. The night time illumation is very strong. The declinaation is pretty easy to adjust (but the markings are a bit small). I do wish it had romer scales, but I can live without them. I considered the MC-2 Global, but this is a lot less bulky and otherwise pretty much the same plus, this was less expensive. I am unhappy to see that it has been discontinued. This looks like it leaves a gap in their compass line as there is nothing between the A-30 and the MC-2. I looked at the Bruntons which have a lot of very nice features, but the quality is iffy (and they are expensive for what you get) and some parts are cheap (like the declination adjustment markings being just a sticker). I was tempted by the Silva, but their reviews were not as high as the Suuntos.

Superbe instrument.

ほぼ同じのシルバとどちらにしようかと思いましたが、 中国製とフィンランド製で、あっさりスントに決めました。 それ以外は甲乙つけがたいと思います。

Simple but adequate for most short distance navigation. It doesn't have a hinged cover and mirror which seem to break often. It has a magnifying glass, measurements to scale, a declination adjustment, and luminescent markings. We are using this for short distances at slow speeds, either hiking or canoeing. So it does not need to be super precise. It is not waterproof but will be kept in a waterproof map case except when it is being used. For our purposes, it has the durability and ease of use that we require.

Eu adorei chegou direitinho e rápido

It is stated that this compass is the Suunto M-3 G. This is wrong. The M-3 G is a global compass. The compass you actually buy is M 3 NH. This compass is only to be used in the northern hemisphere. I bought the compass for my trip to Australia and I cannot use it. Very disappointed!