Silva Ranger 2.0 Compass

This used to be standard issue in the Teams.... probably still is. It's the best around. I was a navigator so I got pretty intimate with the earlier version (25 yrs ago, middle pic). Highlights: Global compass, declination can be set to anywhere in the world. This is important if you don't want to have to make calculations in your head while you're tired and hot and dealing with bugs etc. Make the adjustments before you leave home and be done with it. It also has a 1:25K / 1:250K scale (remember, the rest of the world is metric) which as far as I can tell, is the only major brand that does this. It's especially important to me since I make survival maps at the 1:250K scale. Has all the other standard features, scales (1:24K, 1:25K, 1:50K), magnifier, clinometer for measuring steepness, aiming sights, glow in the dark markings etc. The 2.0 version has a couple upgrades: breakaway lanyard (with declination key inside clasp), and scale markers for making map measurements (1:24, 1:25, 1:50 and 1:62.5 for Alaskans), different colored bezels. Also comes with a card for calculating avalanche risks. Best bang for your buck. I just wish they were American made but hey, the Swedes are cool.

After taking this on a backpacking trip in the wilderness of northwestern Montana, my overall impression is: this is an excellent piece of equipment. After my Suunto A-10 baseplate compass started losing its markings (they are beginning to rub off from being in my pack for a few years, making the baseplate essentially useless), I started looking for a better compass with etched or hot stamped markings. I spent hours looking for this information, and no product listings or even packaging mention this important feature. I took a chance on this Silva, and am glad I did.In the user manual (which you can download from their website, see photo of package for that info) it specifically states that most Silva compasses have “hot stamped” markings. I can verify this one does, as you can feel the texture of the markings. It also has little rubber feet to reduce friction contact with the actual baseplate.The declination adjustment is easy to use (with the included tiny screwdriver tip cleverly concealed in the lanyard breakaway joint), the Clinometer is intuitive, and the overall feel is sturdy but not heavy. (86g/3oz)

I recently began teaching map and compass navigation class, and I needed to replace my 1990s Silva Ranger. I have other brands and models of compasses, and I've tried yet others at navigation class in the field, but for me, this is the gold standard. My other recent purchase of another top quality (made in Finland) brand left me disappointed because the needle would often stick, leaving me with a false reading. I sent that one back and bought this Silva instead. I am glad I did! The mirror on this is much larger than other models, and you can virtually eliminate parallax error, getting a perfect reading every time. That's a real upgrade from just about every other mirrored sighting compass I've used. It looks to me like the Orange model has glow-in-the-dark bits, but the Black model does not. It seems like a no-brainer to add that to a compass, but on the other hand, if you've ever used these at night, you might agree that it's pointless. Everyone has an LED headlamp these days, and if you really need the glow-in-the-dark bits to travel cross-country in the woods, you're gonna trip on something in the woods. Use your headlamp and don't worry about it. If this thing lasts 30 years like my old Silva, I'll be dead before I need another one!

The picture shown on Amazon included a lanyard. This lanyard is marked in increments and has a bit at the end to adjust declination, but it was not included in the blister package. **Update: a simple email to Silva customer support and a lanyard has been shipped, no questions asked. ** Excellent product and excellent support behind the product.

Overall the compass is a good product and functional. The only issue that affects its use is the hinge isn’t tight enough to hold the top up while shooting an azimuth. I have to hold it up in the correct position. That makes it a little awkward to use, but it still gets the job done.

It's a pretty decent compass. No comment on the luminous thing cos my old butt is in bed at night. It does what it's supposed to do. I've always found the inclinometer kinda cludgy at low angles. And, yes some of use the inclinometer at LOT (geology thing). I've tested it against my old Silva Ranger (which this is replacing). The Silva Ranger is still the standard for navigation compasses that won't break the bank. I'm very pleased with it. I have more compasses and transits (Bruntons) than anyone should ever own. I'm old, they just seemed to grow because I'm a gearhead. If I don't really, really need the inclinometer this is what I carry. Just works. Take not of caveats about night use ... seems like a lot of folks have issues with that one.

Why did you pick this product vs others?:very handy, sturdy, with good compass functionality along with map reading and measuring tools; laso has little magnifying lenses to read small prints. slide markers can be used as a ruler. very convenient

Had one years ago. Still great quality.