Bubbles in the compass

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I just bought a nice console for my wife and dive buddy. We noticed that the compass has some air bubbles in it. We thought of returning this simply because of the aesthetics of it. I then noticed that my compass has bubbles also. Is it important that the compass have an air bubble? Does this keep it from breaking at depth? Just curious.
 
There is really no need for concern unless the bubble gets bigger.
Often times the bubble is caused by microbubbles in the fluid that combine to make a bigger bubble at a later time.

Pressure differences between the altitude at which it was manufactured and sea level can cause bubbles.

Once again, it's pretty much a non-issue.

I use a Silva hand-held compass for laying out grids underwater and for surveying sites. It has a bubble in it about the size of a pea - no problems.

Besides, a small bubble in your compass will let you know if you're holding it level while you're diving! Put the bubble in the center of the lens and you're good to go!
 
Besides, a small bubble in your compass will let you know if you're holding it level while you're diving! Put the bubble in the center of the lens and you're good to go!
That about sums it up from my point of view, too.
Now get thee wet!!! :crafty:
 
The downside to bubbles in your compass is that if they get under the rotating compass card, that they will reduce the usable tilt angle. This happened to a Genesis compass module that was about 5 years old, about 250 dives and probably 25 plane rides. Every once in a while I'd get screwy readings. Then I noticed that the compass card was tilted and locked up, even when holding the compass level. Turning the compass to one side and moving the bubble to the top restored most of the functionality for the rest of that dive. The bubble that caused the problems was about 1/2" diameter.

Play around with your compass a bit so that the bubble gets trapped under the card. Then see how much it tilts the card. That will tell you if it's time for a new compass module.
 
Dupe:
I just bought a nice console for my wife and dive buddy.

Do they have to share it? :)

Pete
 
Did you get on an airplane with the compass in the cargo compartment? Your compass could be suffering from Decompression Sickness.
 
:lol:

Toooooooo Funny !!!!
That's a good one, Chongming!
 

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