Cammenga 417 Official U.S. Military Tritium Lensatic Compass - Model 3H

This compass is one of the best navigation tool i've ever bought... Keep in mind that GPS signals from satellites aren't available anywhere/everywhere and are always subject to being intercepted or jammed when a war begins or solar blasts erupts. When GPS batteries are going down or if you're in an area where satellites are not available, you'll be glad to have this alternative tool. U.S. Military made this compass with quality in mind when they've pass the contract to Cammenga. They didn't went with the lowest bidder and so this is one of the most expensive compass you can buy but there's a good reason for it. Frame is made from good quality aluminium and the housing is waterproof. CAMMENGA lensatic compasses slow the needle via induction dampening and avoid the problems associated with liquid fill. So it's ready for operations in our Canada's cold temperature! The lighting from the tritium is made to glow for around 10 to 15 years without being exposed to light. This is perfect for night navigation. If you're an amateur or professional hiker, survivor, police or military and need a good compass you'll keep for all your life and pass to your grandchildren, this is the best compass to buy.

Excellent quality compass. You take it in your hands and feel the quality. All markers (sighting wire, line on glass, rear sight with lense) are aligned. Nothing is loose or dangling. The compass marks are glowing in green, this is obviously due to the tritium tubes. It's made to withstand harsh conditions, aluminum and durable, you shouldn't drop it, but accidentally can sit on it without any consequences. When the compass is closed, the north arrow lifts up and is removed from the needle, which is not the case with all cheap or fake/knock off compasses. This protects the compass mechanism from damage due to shaking or falling and wear and tear. What is disappointing: 1. Its price when you pay for it, but its really worth it. Other good quality compass manufacturers also sells their products in similar price 2. Bezel could be aluminum too, it is plastic 3. Degrees markers in 5 degree step

it is waste of money buying this the numbers and markings are not readable

I had some poor quality compasses before and this time for me quality had to be very important. First of all this particular item comes in a nice army pouch . Second The needle locks , yes the price is not cheap but you pay for what you get, this unit is very solid and also very accurate , I am very pleased with my purchase could not ask for a better compass .

I was an infantry officer in the US Army for 15 years. Before that, I backpacked in my high school and college years. In both cases I was comfortable navigating with topo maps and a compass or by terrain features and a compass. This exact compass is what I'm used to so it's what I bought to get back into backpacking. What I like about these lensatic compasses vs popular map compasses with built in protractors......... 1.) Precise. Super easy to get precise readings. Map compasses are not less accurate but harder to get precise readings from. 2.) No fluid! Fluid filled housings are an accident waiting to happen. The magnetic damping in this compass won't leak and it won't form a bubble at altitude or with temperature changes. It won't leave you stranded. 3.) Tough. The aluminum housing can be tossed in a pack, a pocket, or hung around your neck. It is not delicate. 4.) Trituim. This is one of the few if not the only compasses using radioactive tritium for night illumination. Again, reliable in any conditions. So what do you give up vs a flat plastic map compass..... 1.) The flat plastic protractor. No big deal. I don't need one but if you do, buy one for a few bucks. 2.) Declination adjustment. A nice convenience but hardly a necessity. I mean we're talking addition and subtraction of whole numbers here folks, not trigonometry. I'd rather have the more reliable compass. 3.) Size and weight. This is probably a little larger and heavier than most plastic map compasses but not dramatically so. The upside is it's also a lot tougher with no fluid to get screwed up. In short, this lensatic compass is a simple device that will last a long long time and give reliable, precise readings time after time. Isn't that what you want when you're cut off from civilization?