Brunton Lensatic Military Style Sighting Compass

I'm very pleased with the quality and accuracy of my Brunton Lensatic Compass. The metallic case is nicely finished and the compass card is easy to read. The case cover, thumb hook and the lense frame pivot nicely. Accuracy is good and coincides with the bearings I read on my electronic compass. I live where magnetic deviation is 6.4 degrees east, and I can adjust for that with 2 clicks of the rotating bezel on the compass. The compass card is nicely dampened by the spirit fluid and settles in just a second or two. I bought the compass to take transit sightings and for hiking trips. The only difference I can tell between this compass and the more expensive Commenga lensatic compass models is that there is no self-illumination on this model for night use and when the lense frame is closed, it doesn't lock down to immobilize the compass card. I would have paid another $60 for those features on the Commenga models. Realisticly if I was going to take night readings, I would have on my red headlamp anyway to read my map and read the compass. The compass doesn't have a lanyard or a belt case, so I'll have to add them myself if I find they are needed.I was originally hesitant to order this compass after reading some of the negative reviews regarding quality, but ordering through Prime, I knew returning it would be easy if I needed to. It turns out that I received a good one and that I have no regrets ordering it. I'm looking forward to using the compass.

Seems well made and rugged, time will tell.

I really like compasses. I collect them and appreciate that they are a tool requiring skills.

This is a very disappointing compass, and it is surprising that Brunton would even put their name on it -- but it's molded right into the cover. The dial is not luminous, contrary to what the description says. There are two glow-in-the-dark points at the ends of the sighting wire, but that's useless if you can't even see the dial. The card is liquid damped, but it moves VERY slowly, and even then it requires jiggling the compass body to settle on north. I know this because I know where north is relative to my house -- which means I cannot trust this compass anywhere that I don't already know where north is. It's a cast metal case, so it feels solid, but what counts for a compass is accuracy, and I don't feel that this one can be trusted.

I bought this to see if it would be adequate for someone (nephews, etc.) to learn how to properly use a military compass. I checked it against my Cammenga lensatic unit and found that the one I received is accurate. Unlike the Cammenga, this light weight Brunton model would not stand up to rough treatment for long, but with proper care it will serve its owner well. It is made of metal and certainly adequate for light day hikes of a few miles or so and would be good way to learn how to use a military compass without spending a small fortune (only about $15). Even so, if you're going deep into the woods for several days, don't hesitate to spend the extra money for the Cammenga. Cammenga supplies the U.S. Military and the durability of their compasses is worth the additional cost.

This little Brunton isn't bad. I have had it a week now and have put it through the test. I have noticed that the markings are off by 1.2 degrees. I figured this out by matching it up with a GPS. Thats not bad if you always keep in your mind to adjust for the manufacturer's error. No matter what the markings say, the magnet will always point MN as long as there is no interference. March a mile or 2 and check your location. Calculate the error and write it on the back of the compass. I also write my pace count on the back as well. Challenge yourself in a 5 kilometer grid somewhere in the woods. You will probably make a mistake or two but in a 5 kilometer grid 1.2 degrees wont get you lost and after that you will remember to adjust for the error as long as you stay fresh at it. Just looking at the compass on a weekly basis and fiddling with its functions will keep you fresh. I would recommend this product for navigating small areas but I WOULD NOT recommend this product for a 1000 square kilometers of national forest or desert. Life is worth a lot more than $11.I'm no expert but I do consider myself a pro. Navigation has been like an addiction to me since I got my first compass at the dime store in the early 70's. My job in the military was navigation. For large areas such as national forest and parks I use a Cammenga that cost me $80. I also use a Brunton Clinometer that cost $140, I shouldn't have to mention 2 types of protractors at $4 each. That's $228 vs $11. Forests are easy with so many things to shoot azimuth's at. Dont think I would ever need the clinometer to navigate a forest. The desert is another story! everything looks the same, even the color! I would use a clinometer to find my location and check it every 5 kilometers. I use it to find elevation of hills and mountains in the desert to pinpoint position. The desert is HUGE and it all looks the same! The declination in Barstow alone is 12° 4' E... When dealing with this I dont want to also adjust for manufacture's errors! For this kind of navigating SPEND THE MONEY! $230 is a small price to pay for something your life depends on. ALWAYS BRING A BUDDY! You can use each other for at the least to shoot azimuth's at for heading.Durability is not good. After 1 day of use the hinging started to get sloppy and I was disappointed that it doesn't have a lanyard ring. Only N,S,E & W indicators illuminate. The 45° grad lines on the bezel do not. THOSE ARE IMPORTANT!!I would recommend this product for casual use. Why get the expensive stuff out if you dont have too?

Great value for a lensatic, military-style compass