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Main Boards => Gear => Topic started by: whitehorse on 21:45:48, 06/02/18

Title: which model of silva compass should I get?
Post by: whitehorse on 21:45:48, 06/02/18



I've decided it's about time I bought myself a decent compass (i.e. not the sort you'd get in a cracker which is what my current one is a bit like!) and re-learn how to use it. Since I've lived in Yorkshire I've got lazy as there's generally a stone wall or other feature to navigate by, and I haven't done much open fell walking.


As a teenager I used to have a silva compass and I went onto the internet thinking I'd get another one, to be met by a bit of a baffling selection of different models!


Can anyone please recommend one? I'm happy to pay more if there are going to be features I'd use, but it's pointless wasting money if one of the more basic models would do.


Basically, I just need one that I can use to get me off the moor in the right direction in the fog, and that sort of thing.


Many thanks  :)
Title: Re: which model of silva compass should I get?
Post by: sussamb on 22:08:55, 06/02/18
Silva Expedition 4 model is probably adequate for you.
Title: Re: which model of silva compass should I get?
Post by: Skip on 22:50:57, 06/02/18
Yup, the Expedition 4 fits your bill. Shop around.
Title: Re: which model of silva compass should I get?
Post by: pilgrimgp7 on 22:56:37, 06/02/18

Ay up Whitehorse, i'm in Yorkshire pal. If you want it I've got a Silva Ranger S you can have for nowt because i'm a nice chap. Check it out first & see if you think it's suitable for you & if so we can meet up & you can have it. It's 100% unblemished as I bought it as a backup to check against my main compass which is an Expedition 4 Militaire & there is nothing wrong with the Ranger S but it's got a sighting mirror on it which I find a pain to keep opening & closing even though you can read the North pointer upside down off the mirror perfectly fine.


I'm not trying to do it down at all, it's a perfectly fine compass but I'm getting another baseplate model for my backup so if you're interested message me & I'll forward you my phone number. I'm in South Yorks but travelling is not a problem.


I'll drop it off to you if you haven't got transport. I can't abide knowing a man hasn't got a compass.
Title: Re: which model of silva compass should I get?
Post by: April on 06:58:48, 07/02/18
I can't abide knowing a man hasn't got a compass.

You may want to change your mind about your very kind offer.

Whitehorse is a woman  ;)  :D
Title: Re: which model of silva compass should I get?
Post by: sussamb on 07:21:53, 07/02/18
And lives quite a way from Yorkshire  O0
Title: Re: which model of silva compass should I get?
Post by: Lakeland Lorry on 08:13:30, 07/02/18
Sports Pursuit have a really good deal on the Silva Expedition Compass.

This is the compass that usually sells for £45, but I think that Silva must have updated it and so Sports Pursuit are now selling the old model for £14.99.   I've just bought two of them, to replace my Silva Expedition 4 compass.

https://www.sportpursuit.com/catalog/product/view/id/892672

Title: Re: which model of silva compass should I get?
Post by: April on 08:29:31, 07/02/18
And lives quite a way from Yorkshire  O0

Sussamb, I think you are thinking of Whitehorse Walker  ;D

Title: Re: which model of silva compass should I get?
Post by: bricam2096 on 08:33:08, 07/02/18
Sussamb, I think you are thinking of Whitehorse Walker  ;D

...

Title: Re: which model of silva compass should I get?
Post by: sussamb on 09:10:14, 07/02/18
Sussamb, I think you are thinking of Whitehorse Walker  ;D


Cold here. Brains not working as well as normal  ;D
Title: Re: which model of silva compass should I get?
Post by: pilgrimgp7 on 10:43:26, 07/02/18

April & sussamb thanks for the update.


Apologies forwarded to you whitehorse if you are woman, female, lady. it's sometimes difficult to tell with names like Whitehorse although I do often call women mate. Just a figure of speech although I don't mean to annoy anybody if I have done..


Maybe I also read the whole thing completely incorrectly & whitehorse also isn't in Yorkshire in which case my excuse is my brain isn't working properly either because of the cold.


If I hear back then whitehorse there is a free compass Silva Ranger S for you. In a box. Free delivery within 75 of South Yorks & if you're further away i'll meet you half way.


And if I don't hear from Whitehorse there is a Silva Ranger S compass going free, brand new condition in a box for any of you good walking folk who might want a new compass for nowt.


Just trying to do somebody a favour & I don't see why it should always be about money. The equipment is too expensive as it is.
Title: Re: which model of silva compass should I get?
Post by: pilgrimgp7 on 10:47:42, 07/02/18

Free delivery within 75 miles, to clarify. I missed off miles. Cold brain syndrome again.
Title: Re: which model of silva compass should I get?
Post by: April on 12:06:57, 07/02/18
Pilgrim you didn't cause any annoyance, only amusement  :)

Whitehorse is listed as female and from Yorkshire on her profile. You may find a good home for your compass and it is a very kind offer  O0
Title: Re: which model of silva compass should I get?
Post by: Hillhiker1 on 21:01:06, 07/02/18

Sports Pursuit have a really good deal on the Silva Expedition Compass.

This is the compass that usually sells for £45, but I think that Silva must have updated it and so Sports Pursuit are now selling the old model for £14.99.   I've just bought two of them, to replace my Silva Expedition 4 compass.

https://www.sportpursuit.com/catalog/product/view/id/892672 (https://www.sportpursuit.com/catalog/product/view/id/892672)


Great find there Lakeland Lorry, I've also just ordered 2. What a bargain!! Cheers O0
Title: Re: which model of silva compass should I get?
Post by: whitehorse on 22:41:00, 08/02/18



Many thanks for the replies!


And sorry for the confusion with usernames....I didn't realise there was a Whitehorse walker when I registered! I might bump into her one day when I finally do my ridgeway walk :-)


Pilgrim, many thanks for your offer, that's very generous of you. However I did see Lakeland lorry's fantastic weblink and the huge discount on the compass so have ordered one on there, plus a pair of very cheap walking trousers. Bargain website :-D 


But thank you- and I hope that doesn't seem ungrateful. I live about as far north in north Yorkshire as you can get so it probably would have cost a fair bit in fuel. Hope you find a good home for it.
Title: Re: which model of silva compass should I get?
Post by: Ridge on 09:27:22, 09/02/18
Would people mind reporting back on their experience with Sportpursuit  when their compasses arrive.
It looks a good site and they have things which I may be interested in but I am always a bit dubious of sites which have hundreds of products but don't have an address.
Title: Re: which model of silva compass should I get?
Post by: Lakeland Lorry on 11:31:01, 09/02/18
I've had no trouble buying things from Sports Pursuit.   I've bought quite a bit from them over the past year or so, and all have arrived.

Title: Re: which model of silva compass should I get?
Post by: pilgrimgp7 on 14:45:29, 09/02/18

Pilgrim you didn't cause any annoyance, only amusement  :)

Whitehorse is listed as female and from Yorkshire on her profile. You may find a good home for your compass and it is a very kind offer  O0




Thankyou April for the detail, much appreciated. I haven't even looked at any profiles & if I can do somebody a favour I just make the offer & if it gets accepted then great, if not no problem, no hard feelings & exactly as you said it will get a good home somewhere.


I posted an introduction at the end of last year & never looked back at it so I don't know who said hello to me or anything & one day I was looking at some photos by sunnydale & a reply to my intro flashed up from sunnydale & gunwharfman so I sent them both a message saying sorry for the late reply about a month after so they probably think i'm barmy which i'm not. Totally sane. Honest.


Cheers for telling me about the profile thing I didn't even think about it, i'll have a look.


I've got about 100,000 photos & i'd like to put some up so I've had to join that flickr thing so I can put them on here. That's taken me about 10 hours to make an hours progress but i'll get there eventually.



Title: Re: which model of silva compass should I get?
Post by: pilgrimgp7 on 15:09:31, 09/02/18



Many thanks for the replies!


And sorry for the confusion with usernames....I didn't realise there was a Whitehorse walker when I registered! I might bump into her one day when I finally do my ridgeway walk :-)


Pilgrim, many thanks for your offer, that's very generous of you. However I did see Lakeland lorry's fantastic weblink and the huge discount on the compass so have ordered one on there, plus a pair of very cheap walking trousers. Bargain website :-D 


But thank you- and I hope that doesn't seem ungrateful. I live about as far north in north Yorkshire as you can get so it probably would have cost a fair bit in fuel. Hope you find a good home for it.




Hello Whitehorse, found you eventually, glad you got the message & received the offer & i'm very happy you have found what you need. It's not an issue now obviously anyway but the fuel cost would not be a problem for me & should you have taken up the offer i would have been more than happy to drop it off.


I did realise after i posted the message on the forum the British Postal Service also delivers packages as well as letters so that could have been an option.


Whitehorse is a womans name now i look at it. Your parents chose well. If you were a man they'd have called you Sitting Bull or Big Chief Tomahawk or something wouldn't they.


I hope your new compass does you well & you get out there & get marching with it. Enjoy.


Thankyou for the reply Whitehorse.
Title: Re: which model of silva compass should I get?
Post by: Ridge on 16:53:27, 09/02/18
I've had no trouble buying things from Sports Pursuit.   I've bought quite a bit from them over the past year or so, and all have arrived.
Thanks for the reassurance, I'll give them a try.  O0
Title: Re: which model of silva compass should I get?
Post by: Addingham on 04:06:53, 10/02/18


I've decided it's about time I bought myself a decent compass (i.e. not the sort you'd get in a cracker which is what my current one is a bit like!) and re-learn how to use it. Since I've lived in Yorkshire I've got lazy as there's generally a stone wall or other feature to navigate by, and I haven't done much open fell walking.


Can anyone please recommend one? I'm happy to pay more if there are going to be features I'd use, but it's pointless wasting money if one of the more basic models would do.


Basically, I just need one that I can use to get me off the moor in the right direction in the fog, and that sort of thing.


Many thanks  :)


Any quality compass should be fine. not just Silva. ;D


What does a compass actually do except point MN in the N Hemisphere. ???
Title: Re: which model of silva compass should I get?
Post by: Hillhiker1 on 13:25:41, 10/02/18
Well, My compass arrived  today in good order as advertised. It also came with a geographical return address.  O0
Title: Re: which model of silva compass should I get?
Post by: Skip on 11:59:36, 11/02/18
What does a compass actually do except point MN ...

Quite a few uses spring to mind including:
* setting the map
* studying map detail with the magnifying glass
* using as a protractor
* measuring distances on the ground from a map (using various Romer scales)
* measuring on a map at same scale (using the mm scale)
* confirming which direction you are travelling
* telling what direction an object is from your position
* helping you to walk in straight line

 ;)
Title: Re: which model of silva compass should I get?
Post by: Jim Parkin on 13:32:21, 11/02/18
Quite a few uses spring to mind including:
* setting the map
* studying map detail with the magnifying glass
* using as a protractor
* measuring distances on the ground from a map (using various Romer scales)
* measuring on a map at same scale (using the mm scale)
* confirming which direction you are travelling
* telling what direction an object is from your position
* helping you to walk in straight line

 ;)

Yes, but apart from helping with navigation? 

I suppose you could try to start a fire with the magnifying glass if it was sunny  O0
Title: Re: which model of silva compass should I get?
Post by: Addingham on 16:12:00, 11/02/18
Quite a few uses spring to mind including:
* setting the map
* studying map detail with the magnifying glass
* using as a protractor
* measuring distances on the ground from a map (using various Romer scales)
* measuring on a map at same scale (using the mm scale)
* confirming which direction you are travelling
* telling what direction an object is from your position
* helping you to walk in straight line

 ;)





And only Silva compasses do this? ::)  As to measuring distance on the ground and the rest you need a MAP not just a compass. I can walk in a straight line except when sloshed. :P
Title: Re: which model of silva compass should I get?
Post by: Jim Parkin on 16:24:35, 11/02/18

And only Silva compasses do this? ::)  As to measuring distance on the ground and the rest you need a MAP not just a compass. I can walk in a straight line except when sloshed. :P

Well if you want to take bearings or walk on bearings, then you need some type of protractor for reasonable accuracy.  And the definition of reasonable depends on the use.  For seeing whether you should turn left or right on a path, then it's probably overkill. 

If you want to locate yourself on the map without GPS, and you can see landmarks, but are not near them yourself, then a baseplate compass is probably a good idea.  You could use a prismatic compass, but often they are slower to use. 

I admit that I did get a Recta compass instead of a Silva one as my main compass, but it's equivalent - I find the mirror useful as a mirror and it folds out longer than a normal baseplate compass, but most of the time I use it as a baseplate compass. 


As for the "walking in a straight line unless sloshed" bit.  Are you sure?  What about in fog over rough ground? 
Title: Re: which model of silva compass should I get?
Post by: Mel on 16:42:43, 11/02/18
My compass is just a fashion accessory I have dangling from my rucksack.


... didn't know I can do all that other stuff with it as well  ;)


(maybe I can't.  It's not a Silva compass  :-\     ::)  )  
Title: Re: which model of silva compass should I get?
Post by: Skip on 18:16:35, 11/02/18
My compass is just a fashion accessory I have dangling from my rucksack.

 ;D   Touché

And Jim's right about the magnifier - on a sunny day you can boil a small kettle.
Title: Re: which model of silva compass should I get?
Post by: Maggot on 12:38:33, 26/02/18
Sports Pursuit have a really good deal on the Silva Expedition Compass.

This is the compass that usually sells for £45, but I think that Silva must have updated it and so Sports Pursuit are now selling the old model for £14.99.   I've just bought two of them, to replace my Silva Expedition 4 compass.




Excellent spot there LL.  I nearly got a new one at an orienteering event recently but came over all weird at the thought of spending £39.99, which was considered 'quite cheap' by one friend!


Anyway, the deal ends in about 11 hours, so my order was just in time!
Title: Re: which model of silva compass should I get?
Post by: coby on 21:33:12, 26/02/18
Sports Pursuit have a really good deal on the Silva Expedition Compass.

This is the compass that usually sells for £45, but I think that Silva must have updated it and so Sports Pursuit are now selling the old model for £14.99.   I've just bought two of them, to replace my Silva Expedition 4 compass.


[/quote


Well spotted what a bargain  O0  i just bough one. Glad i joined this forum very useful info.
Title: Re: which model of silva compass should I get?
Post by: Maggot on 11:34:49, 01/03/18
Would people mind reporting back on their experience with Sportpursuit  when their compasses arrive.
It looks a good site and they have things which I may be interested in but I am always a bit dubious of sites which have hundreds of products but don't have an address.


I ordered my compass on Monday for the bargain price of £14.99, and it has just dropped through my letter box, safely packaged and just what I was expecting.  Absolutely excellent service and I would not hesitate to use them again  O0
Title: Re: which model of silva compass should I get?
Post by: coby on 19:08:02, 11/03/18

Sports Pursuit have a really good deal on the Silva Expedition Compass.

This is the compass that usually sells for £45, but I think that Silva must have updated it and so Sports Pursuit are now selling the old model for £14.99.   I've just bought two of them, to replace my Silva Expedition 4 compass.

https://www.sportpursuit.com/catalog/product/view/id/892672 (https://www.sportpursuit.com/catalog/product/view/id/892672)


Hi all,


 I ordered the Expedition Compass from Sports Pursuit. The compass arrived but one of the silicone rubber feet was missing on the base plate { not a massive deal} when i contacted the company not only have they sent a new compass, they let me keep the other one as well. Excellent customer service would definitely buy other products from them...
Title: Re: which model of silva compass should I get?
Post by: BuzyG on 23:27:12, 11/03/18
Good result. O0
Title: Re: which model of silva compass should I get?
Post by: coby on 23:29:07, 16/03/18
Yeah i was impressed would definitely buy from them again