Silva Starter 1.2.3. - Compass

We purchased five of the Silva Starter 1-2-3 Compasses for an orienteering course that we run with 5th graders who have the attention span of a block of wood. The compasses are easy to use, accurate, and durable. After each event, we line them up to see if they all read the same and they always so do. It would have been nice for Silva to include a simple lanyard. Make sure you look at all of your buying options; Go2 Outfitters charges over $2 more than a direct from Amazon purchase.

Great compass. Stabilizes quickly and has always been accurate. Meets all my needs. I always keep it in my backpack.

Large air bubble in the compass.

Works like a charm

Everyone should have a compass and it should be a good, viscous damped compass like this one - sure there are cheaper ones without damping but these will drive you nuts as they swing back and forth before settling down a minute or two later which will be the last time you use the thing - when I hear otherwise intelligent people say they don't know how to use a compass I am stunned and immediately buy one of these for them - when push comes to shove your cell/pad/GPS/etc. will not get you out of the woods gracefully as knowing how to use a compass will - even lack of sun will get you so lost you will find yourself somewhere the Deliverance movie cast looks like the intelligentsia - just remember to always carry this with you even if in the emergency compartment of your backpack or whatever.

North seeking needle points south. Okay if you know to orient your compass 180 degrees out. Needle sticks, too.Wanted this as a back up for a small survival kit. Not sure I trust it in that role.

This seems to be a well built little compass. It's the type you can slide easily across a map, set a course, plot and hold the course on a hike. I'd recommend it. The only reason I didn't give five stars is because it doesn't come with a carrying case. I happen to have an old suede iPod sleeve that it fits into perfectly, so I'm good there. But seriously, that would be a good value to add to this product. It's still worth the money though even though shipping to California costed me a fortune. Why's that?

I bought this as a Christmas gift for my 7-year-old son. It's scale is nice for his hand, and it is a serious enough instrument to be able to learn well and to trust.