- Sighting mirror for increased accuracy
- Global needle for use around the world
- Declination adjustment function
- Clinometer to measure slope angle
Introduction
These days it’s so easy to pull out your smartphone to track where you are or need to be, what with the invention of GPS tracking and navigation, making it easier for us to get around.
However, when faced with an emergency, say, in the wilderness, you can’t always rely on a smartphone for the best chances of survival. When batteries die, and signals disappear, what will you do?
Luckily for the world, we had a way of navigating the Earth long before smartphones and GPS tracking and navigation. That’s right; I’m talking about compasses.
Today we’ll be exploring the SUUNTO MC-2 Compass that has been one of the go-to emergency navigation tools for survivalists for many years.
Let’s find out if this compass has what it takes to elevate your survival performance to higher peaks.
Pros
- Compact size
- Sighting mirror for increased accuracy
- Global needle for use around the world
- Declination adjustment function
- Clinometer to measure slope angle
Cons
- Not budget-friendly
SUUNTO MC-2 Compass Product Review
The Suunto MC-2 Compass falls on the more expensive side of the price spectrum, but it offers survivalists with an impressive amount of technical features, as well as being compact and easy to use.
- Dimensions: 65 x 101 x 18 mm
- Weight: 2.5 oz
It has a standard size and weight for a compass and is ideal to fit either in your survival backpack or apparel, and offers top-of-the-line features for accurate directional measurements.
Unlike many of its competitors, this compass contains a sighting mirror. This feature enables you to gain a more accurate bearing reading, as you can position the compass at eye level and arm’s length, increasing precision. The use of a sighting mirror provides you with greater accuracy than compasses that possess a standard base-plate style body.
Another significant feature is the compass fully opens up against a map, so you can plot locations and your journey efficiently, without the need to fold your map or make estimations. This saves time during your experience and space in your survival kit.
With a compass, you should want it to be as accurate as possible with your readings, especially in survival mode. The body is invisible, and the orienteering lines are easy to read under the bezel so that you can see measurements clearer from any north-south lines on the map.
When looking for the best compasses on the market, you should check to see if it has a clinometer. A clinometer allows you to measure the elevation of slopes, which is essential if you find yourself hiking up avalanches or mountainous terrain.
A compass with this instrument checks the stability of the slope and protects you from potentially hazardous situations.
Some survival experts would argue that a compass that has an adjustable declination is one of the more essential features of a compass, and is, in fact, a requirement for the compass to serve you and your encounter with the wilderness. Not to brag, but the Suunto MC-2 does just that.
It is rare to find a product that exceeds all consumer expectations, and this compass definitely has its flaws.
One major flaw is the reflectivity of the sighting mirror, with some consumers reporting that the mirror is far less reflective than they needed it to be. This is worth considering as it is a higher-priced piece of equipment.
That said, the sighting mirror is known for its excellent performance, and Suunto is an established and reliable company that will communicate and resolve the matter, should you experience any issues with this product.
Suunto was established in Finland more than 80-years ago, first inventing the mass production method for the liquid-filled compass. Since then, they have achieved an iconic status for producing world-renowned compasses and precision instruments.
Summary
A compass may seem like one of the more straightforward survival pieces, but, as the Suunto MC-2 has shown, there are many aspects to consider when deciding what compass to acquire for the best chances of survival.
As mentioned previously, we can’t always rely on technology to better our survival chances, that’s why to challenge you further, you should aim to practice your survival skills as much as possible so when you’re faced with an emergency, you’re prepared for the encounter.
We believe that this compass has proven it has what it takes to be added to any survival kit. It contains all the necessary features for optimal survival and offers high-quality materials and construction which is built to last.
Although it isn’t the most budget-friendly option on the market, it would make for a worthy longterm investment and will have you covered for a range of survival situations.
We hope you see what we see with the Suunto MC-2, but we hope you’ve been enlightened to the importance of compasses in general and why you should have one in your survival kit wherever you go.
Thanks for reading! If you have any thoughts about this compass please share them in the comment section below. We’d love to hear from you!
You’ve got this survivor, happy prepping!
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