How long should a compass last?

Used mine this morning and the needle is all over the place and very rarely pointing anywhere near north!
I’d say it had to be at least 10 years old – not kept near anything magnetic as far as I know.

Time for a new one (good job I found out now as in Lakes in 2 weeks) – any must haves/must avoids?
Go Outdoors is my only realistic go-and-touchy-feely option in that timeframe.

never had even the most basic silva go tits on me.

Well 800,000 years ago what we now call north (with a magnetic compass in your hand) was “south”. So at least once every 800,000 years I would say 🙂

whatever silva thing is in your budget.

Mine are > 20 years old and still work fine.

kismet.

the Dash4it, DHS-style OS map sale email arrived in the inbox. This time a proper 40% off. (40MAY)

Also

http://dash4it.co.uk/accessories/accessory-type/compasses/shopby/silva.html

I have one of these in front of me on the desk now, and it seems very well behaved

http://dash4it.co.uk/accessories/accessory-type/compasses/silva-field-compass.html?

Well 800,000 years ago what we now call north (with a magnetic compass in your hand) was “south”. So at least once every 800,000 years I would say

Just swap the meaning of the red pointy bit over and you’re set for another 800,000 years!

were you standing next to a microwave or a CRT telly? Other than that you’ve a big lump of iron somewhere nearby?

Well 800,000 years ago what we now call north (with a magnetic compass in your hand) was “south”. So at least once every 800,000 years I would say

Surely it’s still north (magnetic north), just that you’re going to have some pretty big compass-to-map corrections to make!

Just swap the meaning of the red pointy bit over and you’re set for another 800,000 years!

Personally I would prefer to get a new compass in case I forgot that the North Pole was no longer negative and had become positive. After all the cost of a new compass spread over 800,000 years makes it well worthwhile imo.

Never

Buy

A

Cheap

Compass

Could possibly be something you’ve stored it next to, rather than its age.

Never

Buy

A

Cheap

Compass

Yeah cos cheap iron doesn’t follow the laws of physics as well as the real proper expensive stuff..

Yeah cos cheap iron doesn’t follow the laws of physics as well as the real proper expensive stuff..

to be fair, if ever there was a case for “wooooo” directional metal it’s probably here

The most simple Silva’s here in OAB packs. Never had an issue.

A cheap batch of Vango compasses (£1.80 trade) for the outdoor centre, I should have know better….needles fell off and more than a few ‘lost thier way’.

If it’s a Silva, they’ll put new dilithium sulphide in it for you for postage.

They usually get dropped or lost before going wonky though car speaker magnets and mobile phones have killed a couple of mine.

Mobile phones kill them to death.

To be fair, I’ve had a really, really expensive (a lot more than most of you would have ever paid for one) compass leak the fluid out so it no longer works well. There is a difference with the expensive ones I have, they have stronger magnets, lighter needles, better bearings and I think different fluid, which makes them set faster and stay steady when you’re running with one – though I don’t think any of those affects how long they last.

D you live near an electrical sub station ?

Usually a storage problem. Mate of mine used to hang his rucksack in the hall cupboard and forgot that the electric meter was also in there
..

Seems to be doing alright (yes, that’s 64, and yes I’ve checked it)

for it’s age:

Where were you using it when you noticed? Local geology has a big impact. Like red tarn.

the degree markings wear off mine well before I’ve had a needle go Squiffy.

Ive got a bubble in my old silva, which is a tad annoying as it can push the needle about a bit. is there any way of getting bubbles out or is it time for a new compass?

Thanks for all the replies.

It’s a half-decent Silva one not stored near anything that will obviously affect it.

I’ve worked out what the ‘problem’ was – it was me being a massive nobber 😳

I wasn’t using it for strictly navigation purposes.
I was in a well known Leicestershire park this morning taking some recce shots for a work photoshoot.
Every time I took a shoot I’d do a repeat shot with the compass clearly in view so the photographer can plan the day better (helps him knowing where the sun’s likely to be).
Only thing was the compass was vertical and not lying flat…did think twice about not fessing up to that but it is quite funny in stoopid dumbass way 🙂