Timex Expedition Compass

Advantages: Exceptional accuracy, reliable easy-read, well made
Disadvantages: At first sight it might appear a tad expensive

...RANGER 15. Although hidden away at the back of the display, this compass immediately caught my eye – then (as I recall), the price tag made me cough! A week later I took the plunge, and never looked back. Thanks to some inept or more likely thieving Guyanese security, who managed to misplace my rucksack, in 1994 I had to replace my compass. What else could I get but another mirrored compass which was excellent for both steering and bearing on water and routing and orientation on land. Duty free saved the day! So I obtained another Ranger 15. Today’s sales blurb suggests: “Probably the most used compass on expeditions all over the world! RANGER 15 has been on the top of Mount Everest as well as in rain-soaked tropical jungles. It is a partner that can be trusted in the worst conditions!”. Sounds good, well based on my... Read review

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Advantages: Robust and reliable
Disadvantages: not cheap

...When camping and I have been feeling more adventurous, I would decide to avoid the usual commercial camp sites and head off into the wilderness, armed with a compass and a map or two. Well not the wilderness more off of the beaten track. It can be fun, but you really do need to have the best of equipment with you. With that in mind the maps I use are ordinance survey maps and the compass I prefer are the ones made by Silva. Why choose a Silva compass? The company that manufactures these compasses arguably Europe’s most reliable compasses, have been making them for 70 years, they are sold to armed forces around the world Silva compasses are liquid filled and have a sapphire bearing, this results in a compass whose needle rotates smoothly and never has the needle wobble that some compasses suffer from. Who are Silva... Read review

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Advantages: Lightweight, robust, colour coded poles, reflective guy ropes
Disadvantages: It's not true 4-season, small cooking area, lack of headroom

...of your rucksack (it you're not a purist!) Because it is primarily designed as a lightweight expedition tent, there isn't much room left once there of two of you in it with all your kit - it's not designed for luxury living! The groundsheet raises off the floor in a bowl shape, which is good when there is surface water around after a particulary wet night. However, it isn't good when you spill your hot drink over yourself! At night, if your mate/girlfriend/wife turns over, you kind of have to turn over as well. Getting ready for bed and getting up in the morning is tricky and (at 6'4") I find it a struggle to get over-the-head tops on. The cooking/storage area is small and you need to do quite a bit of kit management to cook safely when its pouring with rain. During hot weather, it is nice to sleep with the fly-sheet removed... Read review

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