Gotta have a compass???

[bcaderunr]

I bought a Suunto Wrist model, replaced the strap with a pair of 3/16" bungees and clipped those to a Gear Keeper - Retractable Gear Attachment Systems retractor. This way, I don't have to put it on my wrist. When I want to use it, I just clip it onto one of my BCD rings where it stays handy, but out of the way.

It's funny, the more I dive (even in the gin clear waters of the Caribe), the more I use it -- especially on a Liveaboard in low current conditions. At least then me and my buddy can go exploring more on our own beyond sight of the anchor line. And, with a little bit of practice, everyone thinks you're a genius at navigation! Heck something as simple as taking a quick reading off the "pin" can make life so much easier down below.

 

[underwasser bolt]

you not only need one, but you need to be proficient using it and other navigation techniques.

 

[nereas]

Friends,

I have spent a good chunk of change and now have 98% of my own gear. I love gear.....heck....I'd marry it if I could!

Of everything I have.....I do not own a compass. My dive console does not have a ready place to add a compass and my wallet and VISA have just about had enough use for one year (read: wife is looking at me sternly for taking such liberty with our expenses...).

How vital do you think having a compass is? If I am with a dive buddy...does his/her compass serve us both? Is showing up at the boat without a compass a major no no??

G.

Consoles are a great idea for rental gear, but a bad idea for gear that is owned.

Your left wrist is your best place to wear your compass.

If you are stuck under a large kelp canopy, you may not be able easily to surface right away, and if the sea bottom is flat, you won't know which direction is back to the beach, if you do not have a compass. Therefore there are times when a compass is critical to have. If there is no kelp in your local quarry or lake, then it probably does not matter for you, however.

For me, I use my compass on every dive. On a beach dive, I set the compass to read outbound, to the sea. Then I use the reverse azimuth to get back to shore.

On a boat dive, I set my compass after I descend the anchor line, to point into the current. Then if I cannot tell what the current is doing, I can look at my compass and know it is pointing into the current. It then becomes helpful in navigating cross-current, or even down-current.

In my own experience, a boat captain will not check for your compass. He/she will instead normally check for (1) a Dive Alert or whistle, (2) a surface marker buoy, (3) a dive computer, and she/he will offer you (4) nitrox, if the boat has it.

 

[Grimloc]

OK....I favor a wrist compass. Which one? Made by whom?

G.

 

[MBH]

One of the slickest set ups is a Suunto SK7 compass, mounted in one of Tobin's wrist bungee mounts. I believe he now makes a wrist mount for the Sucbapro compass but IMO the Suunto is much easier to read and use.

 

[dschonbrun]

I happen to like the SUUNTo compass's and used them for orienteering before starting scuba. They are liquid filled, have a clear lubber line, and have a wide tilt angle.

 

[TSandM]

Any time this has ever been asked, the overwhelming consensus is the SK-7. It's easy to read, and fairly tolerant of not being perfectly flat, which some other compasses are not. Put it in one of DSS's wrist boots, and you've got a nifty setup.

 

[Alex777]

<< How vital do you think having a compass is? >>

Pretty vital. Even in the clear (150' viz) waters around Grand Cayman. "Reading" the underwater landscape can be disorienting, even in clear conditions. Ascending to the surface to get a bearing on the boat is definitely unsafe; we have had diver fatalities when divers ascend away from the boat and are run over by Jet-Skiers. Without a compass, you are condemning yourself to a life of dives guided by DMs.

 

[Matt S.]

You'll get a million votes for the Suunto SK-7, for good reason.

I am using the Suunto wrist mount, which is merely OK. I plan to get the DSS mount everyone likes. In fact, I will order one right now.

 

[redacted]

Until your wife gives you the OK on the SK-7 or even one of the cheap $40 scuba compasses (they all point north once you get them level) you could check out the sportijng goods section of Walmart or similar stores. You need a compass that is liquid filled for UW use but any liquid filled one will work until the Visa is healed. Another option is a trip to ebay.

Something like this: 9020G Baseplate Compass