M-3

The Suunto M-3G Global Baseplate Compass is "the" item for anyone who hikes and explores the wilderness. The art of navigation using a paper map and a mechanical (but reliable) device like compass, is fast disappearing, thanks to the ubiquitous GPS systems, which everyone seems to be carrying around these days. While, the modern digital technology does give us far more accurate and far too much information than needed, it has made us totally dependent upon it, that we just take what it tells us. Now, consider a situation, where you have run out of battery or you not catching GPS signals because of the inclement weather has made it difficult to zero down on your position or a solar storm has disrupted satellites and you are still not out of the woods (literally!). Here is where your map reading skills and compass skills come in handy and it is no exaggeration to say that, this is what may make a difference between a hard and easy situation. That being said, this is a well made, aesthetically designed handy instrument. The M-3 Global compass can be used in both the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere, though chances of me going for a hike in a southern hemisphere country is quite remote, still this compass can work in both parts of the world. The compass bearing has illuminated dial and the bearing can be read in the dark. The compass can be adjusted for local magnetic declination for more accurate determination of the directions as well as the direction of travel. The compass also has various scales of 1:50000, 1:25000 and 1:24000. It has a magnifying glass to aid read finer print in the maps and it comes with a lanyard that can be tied to the compass and you can either hand it around your neck or your wrist. The compass also has a clinometer to gauge the altitude, height of tall objects or land marks. This product is worth the money spent on it.

This is a review of the Suunto M-3 NH, sold by DIPNDIVE, which I purchased for $31.45 in June 2018. The "NH" in the product name means "Northern Hemisphere". A map on the packaging shows that this model is not recommended for Australia, Antarctica, New Zealand, half of South America, or half of Africa. Also, since no ordinary compass will work well near the magnetic poles, the map seems to show that it is not recommended for the northernmost parts of Alaska, Canada, or Russia. Nothing on the compass itself says Northern Hemisphere. The advantage of the M-3 is its declination adjustment. In my area, the difference between true North and magnetic North is 14.3 degrees. With a regular compass, one has to remember whether the magnetic North pole is to the left or right of the geographic North pole. This gives a lot of opportunity for error. But with the M-3, the user can easily set the declination and all will be well for use in that area. The declination is set by turning a tiny screw. It is on the bottom of the compass at eight O'Clock in the attached image. The scale that shows 14 degree west declination is seen at four O'Clock in the same image. The compass comes with a small non-magnetic screwdriver attached to its lanyard. Adjusting the declination only moves the orienting arrow. The orienting lines do not move. The result is that the compass needle points to magnetic North as always, but the dial indicates true North. I have attached an image of the M-3 sitting on the compass rose of a nautical chart. The chart is "oriented"; meaning that I carefully turned it so that its vertical lines run North and South. Note how the dial is set to North, the baseplate points to true North, and the needle points to magnetic North, which is 14.3 degrees to the left. A negative review of the M-3 described getting a fake Suunto. The compass that I received did not have any of the problems that he described. The needle on my compass is fluid dampened and works nicely. It definitely has a jewel bearing in the center. (Putting a flashlight under the compass shows that the center of the needle is not just metal.) There is no bubble in the fluid. The whole compass is high quality and well made. The luminescent parts of the compass work fine. I suppose this could be useful in moonlight on open ground, where there might be enough light to walk around without a flashlight. But if the night is so dark that you need a flashlight, wouldn't you just use the flashlight to read your compass? The compass comes with a strong plastic clip to connect the lanyard. But it is not needed. It is just as easy to connect the lanyard with a catspaw knot as shown in the attached images. The M-3 is known as a "baseplate" or "Silva System" compass. I find this design much easier to use than a lensatic compass. The Cammenga military compass is more complicated and can be very hard to read. In my opinion, baseplate is the way to go. The size of the M-3 is about 4 5/8" by 2 3/8". The M-3 perfectly agrees with my old Boy Scout compass. I do not see even one degree of difference between them. The reason to buy a Suunto M-3 instead of a $5.00 compass from a big box store is the declination adjustment, and the confidence of having a high quality device that will be sure to work when you really need it.

This is a very high quality compass that sadly, has been discontinued. The needle moves smoothly and settles quickly. The markings are clear and sharp. The bezel moves with just the perfect amount of resistance--not too loose and not too tight. The night time illumation is very strong. The declinaation is pretty easy to adjust (but the markings are a bit small). I do wish it had romer scales, but I can live without them. I considered the MC-2 Global, but this is a lot less bulky and otherwise pretty much the same plus, this was less expensive. I am unhappy to see that it has been discontinued. This looks like it leaves a gap in their compass line as there is nothing between the A-30 and the MC-2. I looked at the Bruntons which have a lot of very nice features, but the quality is iffy (and they are expensive for what you get) and some parts are cheap (like the declination adjustment markings being just a sticker). I was tempted by the Silva, but their reviews were not as high as the Suuntos.

Superbe instrument.

ほぼ同じのシルバとどちらにしようかと思いましたが、 中国製とフィンランド製で、あっさりスントに決めました。 それ以外は甲乙つけがたいと思います。

Simple but adequate for most short distance navigation. It doesn't have a hinged cover and mirror which seem to break often. It has a magnifying glass, measurements to scale, a declination adjustment, and luminescent markings. We are using this for short distances at slow speeds, either hiking or canoeing. So it does not need to be super precise. It is not waterproof but will be kept in a waterproof map case except when it is being used. For our purposes, it has the durability and ease of use that we require.

Eu adorei chegou direitinho e rápido

It is stated that this compass is the Suunto M-3 G. This is wrong. The M-3 G is a global compass. The compass you actually buy is M 3 NH. This compass is only to be used in the northern hemisphere. I bought the compass for my trip to Australia and I cannot use it. Very disappointed!