SUNNTO Compass: A rugged sighting compass in a protective matchbox case

Quality is excellent.

Quality, light weight compact compass. Slick design...thin metal mirror drops down for eye level bearing sights, or can stay put away for hand held use. Small size may limit the precision of user's readings. Durability TBD.

Confession: After doing a painstaking amount of research, I was minutes away from ordering the Suunto MC-2 compass. But then I got a ruler and drew-out the size of the thing. I realized that even if it's the best compass in the world, it won't do me any good when I leave it at home because it's too big to easily carry in my pocket. Or maybe I bring it, but I still don't use it because it's down in my pack instead of in my pocket. So I looked for a more practical choice (for me), and this MB-6 is what I liked. I think I made a good choice: I got a well-made, thoughtfully designed compass that works well, easily fits in my pocket, and can be carried unobtrusively. MB-6 versus the MC-2: if you really need a compass that must do e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g, then the MC-2 may be it. But the thing is, you don't. This little compass is superior in terms of portability, and it's better for taking bearings. The MC-2 has a larger compass capsule & bezel, so theoretically, it will more precise. But in real world use, I think the MB-6 will be precise enough... you won't be using it to survey property, afterall. You may be thinking, "But what about needing scales and straight edges for map work"? All the MB-6 offers is a very basic centimeter scale along one side. But the thing is, your compass doesn't really need more than that. You can do better/easier map work if you go to the Map Tools website, and for a few bucks you can get any kind of grid, ruler, protractor in any scale you need for use with your maps (some of their products are also sold here). All of which will work well in combination with your MB-6, to do quality map work... and you'll have a better experience than if you tried to do it all with just an MC-2. A few things about MB-6 construction: I find the compass solidly constructed and well made. No air bubble in the capsule. The drawer opens firmly and snaps firmly in place; there's no wobble in it when open. The compass bezel turns with the right amount of firmness: it will stay in place, yet turn smoothly as you rotate the bezel. The drop-down mirror hangs at a good angle and makes it easy to align compass with needle. I haven't used the declination, yet. I know there are some reviews that say differently about the MB-6's construction quality. I've examined two MB-6's, and they both matched my description, above. I know it's frustrating to see such discrepancies when trying to make a purchase, especially when doing so online. FWIW, I think your chances are good that you'll like this little compass.

Great quality

Coming from lensatic Army compasses, the MB-6 feels way faster, but only during the day. Pros: Faster at shooting an azimuth, pre-declination adjustment, so you don't have to do the mental math for GM angles, the drop-down mirror lets you see the whole compass while aiming, and has an inner compass rose as well as azimuth marking on the bezel, very accurate. The compass weighs about a quarter of what the lensatic issue compass weighs. Cons: The nighttime performance/capabilities are subpar. While the aiming notches, orienting arrows, and compass needle have fluorescent/glow marks, the actual degrees aren't visible like in an H3 cammenga lensatic compass. Also, those fluorescent marks need to be charged with white light (or a UV lamp) and will fade within minutes, but remain usable. To shoot an azimuth at night, you need to shine a light at the bezel to see what azimuth you are lining up. Once you do this, you only have to line up the orienting marks with the needle until you get to your next point. Another con is that the "ruler" on the side is not usable on the map. I recommend printing out and cutting out map scales to glue on the side of the box with glow paper for actual functionality with the map. Otherwise, you still have to use a protractor on the map. The plastic isn't bad, but I wish it were made of something higher grade.

Broke within five minutes of first use. Good design engineered with utility and function in mind. However, the unit is in a cheap, rickety plastic box that binds when opening and closing. Worse, the compass component is held in place by a thin, weak brass clip. The clip failed to hold my compass in the box. It gave way when rotating the compass using normal, gentle pressure. Too bad Suunto didn't make this more robust. What they advertised as "The rugged compass" is anything but rugged. Overpriced for what turned out to be a decent little compass inside of a crappy housing. I like the concept enough that I'd happily pay twice as much if it was made out of better, stronger, more durable material and the compass was reliably held in place with rigid materials. But I have no use for it as it's currently manufactured - a cobbled together piece of junk.

After receiving this product today, I decided to test it out and I noticed that at times, the mirror would get stuck and wouldn't let the box close properly. I also noticed while turning the compass dial that I would hear strange popping noises. Tonight I decided to experiment with it some more and noticed that when I was turning the dial, the compass portion was lifting out of the box. I lifted on it and it just came out, and underneath I find this bent up copper wire. Now the compass won't even stay inside of the box, it just falls right out. If this was meant to be a rugged compass, I can't see how that would be the case. Simply by opening and closing the box, and turning the dial, I've somehow managed to break it. I'll be sending it in for a return, but I'm not sure I want another one if they are all going to be like this.

This product is made from cheap plastic and not as durable aluminum as it was in years past.

Boussole de la grande marque suunto, équilibrée pour l'hémisphère nord, sur le même principe que la très célèbre recta de l'armée suisse. J'imagine que suunto a simplement racheté recta. Précision, qualité, robustesse, légèreté, utilisation de nuit, déclinaison, clinomètre… tout y est. Il faut prendre la global 35€ plus chère pour pouvoir aller dans les deux hémisphères. Robustesse: il suffit de fermer la boîte et c'est à l'abri. Les encoches pour bloquer fermé ou ouvert sont bien fortes (presque trop dures au début). La boussole peut se manipuler à une seule main: en passant le fil autour du coup, il suffit de tirer pour que ça s'ouvre. Pour fermer, en pressant sur sa poitrine. Le phosphore est vraiment très lumineux, mais je n'ai pas encore testé la durée de la luminosité. Le clinomètre fonctionne très bien, à la condition évidente de ne pas pencher la boussole (ce qui le fait coller au fond). La déclinaison se règle facilement avec le petit tourne-vis; vis et tourne-vis sont en laiton et pas en plastique: on est vraiment dans du costaud. J'avais un léger doute que j'avais difficilement levé sur internet: le miroir peut évidemment être poussé, de sorte de voir la carte au travers de la boussole lorsqu'elle est posée à plat. C'est pas donné, mais c'est complet et c'est à vie…

Great piece of kit, works really well and functional. Great value for money

Brújula de excelente calidad y precisión. Imprescincible para las salidas al campo y a la montaña con la seguridad de tener un instrumento de medición de extrema precisión que nos guiará al rumbo correcto. Tiene un tornillo para fijar la declinación magnética.

Ottima bussola, precisa e comoda da usare sia per traguardare sia per il carteggio/orientamento. Ovviamente non è una bussola professionale e non ha, ad esempio, l'attacco per il treppiede ne la bolla. Un po' scomodo l'inclinometro perché la lettura non è agevole e la tabella di conversione è posta dietro lo specchio. Tuttavia anche questo strumento è molto utile e valido. IL peso leggero è un altro plus non indifferente per un uso "sportivo" dello strumento. Infine il guscio di protezione sembra robusto.

レクタコンパスのＯＥＭだと思うが、レクタコンパスがSUUNTOに買収されてしまったのでＯＥＭではないのかな？ コンパスとしての機能はもちろん、クリノメータもきちんとはかれるのでGOOD！ 携帯性もよいです。