SUNNTO MB-6 Compass: A rugged sighting compass in a protective matchbox case

I need to preface this by saying I'm no expert in land navigation. I know enough to get by. However I did do a ton of research in selecting a compass and was surprised to find how many available models these days have annoying defects or other drawbacks. This model however seemed to stand out as not only lacking those annoyances, but it has several features that are, far as I can tell, fairly unique. -The sliding matchbox design is a plus for me as it means it closes up into a tidy rectangle with rounded corners, so it fits in a pocket without pointy bits. I'm not necessarily a fan of the fact that the only way to open it is to pull the lanyard, because I'm afraid it may eventually snap with time. However it shows no signs of doing so. -The case has a groove in the top with two glow-in-the-dark pieces you can aim much like the iron signs of a firearm when sighting. -The mirror is polished steel (non-magnetic, I checked) which is nice for durability and is also very clear. But what makes it very unique is that it drops down below the compass rather than above, which allows you to use the sights on the top without having to look through a hole, either when sighting a bearing or using the inclinometer to measure a height angle. The mirror can be a little fiddly as it slides freely when the compass is open. You can retract the mirror into the body when the compass is open by just tilting it. A final note is that this is the global version of this compass, and it appears that at least according to the map on the package (see photo), it is a *true* global compass. I saw another review from 5-6 months ago with a photo showing a different map on the package which showed it would not work in the farther parts of the southern hemisphere. I guess they made some small improvement to design?

Quality, light weight compact compass. Slick design...thin metal mirror drops down for eye level bearing sights, or can stay put away for hand held use. Small size may limit the precision of user's readings. Durability TBD.

Confession: After doing a painstaking amount of research, I was minutes away from ordering the Suunto MC-2 compass. But then I got a ruler and drew-out the size of the thing. I realized that even if it's the best compass in the world, it won't do me any good when I leave it at home because it's too big to easily carry in my pocket. Or maybe I bring it, but I still don't use it because it's down in my pack instead of in my pocket. So I looked for a more practical choice (for me), and this MB-6 is what I liked. I think I made a good choice: I got a well-made, thoughtfully designed compass that works well, easily fits in my pocket, and can be carried unobtrusively. MB-6 versus the MC-2: if you really need a compass that must do e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g, then the MC-2 may be it. But the thing is, you don't. This little compass is superior in terms of portability, and it's better for taking bearings. The MC-2 has a larger compass capsule & bezel, so theoretically, it will more precise. But in real world use, I think the MB-6 will be precise enough... you won't be using it to survey property, afterall. You may be thinking, "But what about needing scales and straight edges for map work"? All the MB-6 offers is a very basic centimeter scale along one side. But the thing is, your compass doesn't really need more than that. You can do better/easier map work if you go to the Map Tools website, and for a few bucks you can get any kind of grid, ruler, protractor in any scale you need for use with your maps (some of their products are also sold here). All of which will work well in combination with your MB-6, to do quality map work... and you'll have a better experience than if you tried to do it all with just an MC-2. A few things about MB-6 construction: I find the compass solidly constructed and well made. No air bubble in the capsule. The drawer opens firmly and snaps firmly in place; there's no wobble in it when open. The compass bezel turns with the right amount of firmness: it will stay in place, yet turn smoothly as you rotate the bezel. The drop-down mirror hangs at a good angle and makes it easy to align compass with needle. I haven't used the declination, yet. I know there are some reviews that say differently about the MB-6's construction quality. I've examined two MB-6's, and they both matched my description, above. I know it's frustrating to see such discrepancies when trying to make a purchase, especially when doing so online. FWIW, I think your chances are good that you'll like this little compass.

The lanyard is already installed (unlike for a Suunto MC-2G), and you’re ready to go out-of-the box. The declination adjustment is easy, and the tool for it is attached to the lanyard. The metal mirror that slides and flips down is a bit unusual, but workable. The sights are a bit chunky, but well visible in low-light conditions, and good-enough for picking a landmark on your chosen heading. Overall, a good tool for sighting headings, even though it’s not quite as comfortable for map work as an MC-2G.

Broke within five minutes of first use. Good design engineered with utility and function in mind. However, the unit is in a cheap, rickety plastic box that binds when opening and closing. Worse, the compass component is held in place by a thin, weak brass clip. The clip failed to hold my compass in the box. It gave way when rotating the compass using normal, gentle pressure. Too bad Suunto didn't make this more robust. What they advertised as "The rugged compass" is anything but rugged. Overpriced for what turned out to be a decent little compass inside of a crappy housing. I like the concept enough that I'd happily pay twice as much if it was made out of better, stronger, more durable material and the compass was reliably held in place with rigid materials. But I have no use for it as it's currently manufactured - a cobbled together piece of junk.

Incredible design. Light weight, compact and versatile. I would not recommend this for someone starting out. If you don’t know the definition of the terms: grid magnetic angle, dip error, and avoiding an obstruction using an equilateral triangle, then don’t buy this. I absolutely love it.

The compass itself is good quality, really easy to take a bearing and adjust for declination. The box drawer mechanism is sticky though, which I found a bit shoddy for an expensive compass.

Boussole de la grande marque suunto, équilibrée pour l'hémisphère nord, sur le même principe que la très célèbre recta de l'armée suisse. J'imagine que suunto a simplement racheté recta. Précision, qualité, robustesse, légèreté, utilisation de nuit, déclinaison, clinomètre… tout y est. Il faut prendre la global 35€ plus chère pour pouvoir aller dans les deux hémisphères. Robustesse: il suffit de fermer la boîte et c'est à l'abri. Les encoches pour bloquer fermé ou ouvert sont bien fortes (presque trop dures au début). La boussole peut se manipuler à une seule main: en passant le fil autour du coup, il suffit de tirer pour que ça s'ouvre. Pour fermer, en pressant sur sa poitrine. Le phosphore est vraiment très lumineux, mais je n'ai pas encore testé la durée de la luminosité. Le clinomètre fonctionne très bien, à la condition évidente de ne pas pencher la boussole (ce qui le fait coller au fond). La déclinaison se règle facilement avec le petit tourne-vis; vis et tourne-vis sont en laiton et pas en plastique: on est vraiment dans du costaud. J'avais un léger doute que j'avais difficilement levé sur internet: le miroir peut évidemment être poussé, de sorte de voir la carte au travers de la boussole lorsqu'elle est posée à plat. C'est pas donné, mais c'est complet et c'est à vie…

Sehr gut gemachte Kompass. Das Kompass mit Schutz Box Design ist gut durchdacht. Gibt es seit Jahrzehnten von Recta, jetzt von Suunto. Leider jetzt ohne das coole Schweizerkreuz. Hatte in der Vergangenheit einen Recta Kompass im gleichen Design. Ist zwar wasserdicht, aber in der Box kann sich Feuchtigkeit ansammeln. Man kann eine Victorinox Gürteltasche als Aufbewarung verwenden.

well made and clever design, compass.

Brújula de excelente calidad y precisión. Imprescincible para las salidas al campo y a la montaña con la seguridad de tener un instrumento de medición de extrema precisión que nos guiará al rumbo correcto. Tiene un tornillo para fijar la declinación magnética.

Ottima bussola, precisa e comoda da usare sia per traguardare sia per il carteggio/orientamento. Ovviamente non è una bussola professionale e non ha, ad esempio, l'attacco per il treppiede ne la bolla. Un po' scomodo l'inclinometro perché la lettura non è agevole e la tabella di conversione è posta dietro lo specchio. Tuttavia anche questo strumento è molto utile e valido. IL peso leggero è un altro plus non indifferente per un uso "sportivo" dello strumento. Infine il guscio di protezione sembra robusto.