Might seem a daft question? I mean a compass, is a compass, is a compass.... right?

Did a search and couldn't see any obvious thread.

Thought I'd ask as during a recent trip to Wales I dropped into Llanberis. Whilst there I HAD to go to the Joe Brown shops .

I bought a compass years ago. Can't remember where from. Its a typical perspex rectangle with scales on the outer edge a 'direction of travel' arrow and a bevel round the compass itself. Probably cost me a fiver from Millets.

So there I am in the shop with a wall display of various instruments with no blatantly obvious differences apart from the price tags, which ranged from about £10 to £30+

Is there any great discernable difference between a £5 or a £30 compass? Is it down to features or just quality of build?