Silva Compass Bubbles

Recently, all three of my Silva compasses have developed small air bubbles, effectively simultaneously. They range in age from about 10 years to a couple of years old. They've been kept in rucksacks and bumbags hanging in my garage, which doesn't get particularly cold or hot, so I'm a bit flummoxed (and peed off) as to why this has happened. They're still usable for now, but if the bubbles get worse (and I've no idea what caused the air to enter the needle housing) there's the expense of replacement. We'll see.

Does anyone else have experience of this? Quick internet search doesn't suggest any real remedies either.

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Originally Posted by Mossdog

Recently, all three of my Silva compasses have developed small air bubbles, effectively simultaneously. They range in age from about 10 years to a couple of years old. They've been kept in rucksacks and bumbags hanging in my garage, which doesn't get particularly cold or hot, so I'm a bit flummoxed (and peed off) as to why this has happened. They're still usable for now, but if the bubbles get worse (and I've no idea what caused the air to enter the needle housing) there's the expense of replacement. We'll see.

Does anyone else have experience of this? Quick internet search doesn't suggest any real remedies either.

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I have one that I bought 4 years ago, which developed a bubble this year. Still works OK (but it hasn't had much use this year).

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Originally Posted by anthonykay

I have one that I bought 4 years ago, which developed a bubble this year. Still works OK (but it hasn't had much use this year).

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So mine have got bubbles this year. Yours has got a bubble this year.....I don't want to start any scary spooky apocalyptic theories but C'MON!!!!....

My Silva compass also developed a large bubble this year, and i eventually had to get rid... although i must have had it for over decade.

Replaced it with..... another Silva

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Originally Posted by Travs

My Silva compass also developed a large bubble this year, and i eventually had to get rid... although i must have had it for over decade.

Replaced it with..... another Silva

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Geezzz! That proves it. There's definitely something massively sinister going on here, while the World has been preoccupied with COVID.

THEY'RE HERE ALREADY! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuL2QwsNeM8

More on compass bubbles and how to fix them :-

https://goneoutdoors.com/bubble-out-...s-8568883.html

https://www.all4o.com/orienteering-b...ompass-bubbles


It`s worked for me in the past

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Originally Posted by JohnK

More on compass bubbles and how to fix them :-

https://goneoutdoors.com/bubble-out-...s-8568883.html

https://www.all4o.com/orienteering-b...ompass-bubbles


It`s worked for me in the past

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I like the last link especially.

So, if the bubble gets bigger or smaller depending on altitude, with the use of a micrometer and a set of logarithmic tables or slide rule, you could use it out on the mountain side as a makeshift altimeter - cool :) (to avoid any misconstruing, I'm only joking!).

One compass resting and warming on the Aga top now, we'll see if we can bash a bubble...

I’ve just checked on my compass collection (3 Silva, 1 Moscow) and they are bubble-free.
I’m surprised as the Silvas are 10, 35 and 45ish years old, dating back to my ML, my first cub hike and my Dad’s ML respectively. They all work absolutely fine. Just a little corrosion on the 35yo Silva Starter needle South.
The Moscow is a thumb compass and a thing of beauty, especially as it also a SI dibber. (No bubbles there neither).

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Originally Posted by felltrumpet

IÂ’ve just checked on my compass collection (3 Silva, 1 Moscow) and they are bubble-free.
IÂ’m surprised as the Silvas are 10, 35 and 45ish years old, dating back to my ML, my first cub hike and my DadÂ’s ML respectively. They all work absolutely fine. Just a little corrosion on the 35yo Silva Starter needle South.
The Moscow is a thumb compass and a thing of beauty, especially as it also a SI dibber. (No bubbles there neither).

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Thanks for the feedback Felltrumpet and glad to hear yours are fine. Yes, mine are of various ages too, and I was just surprised they all seem to develop a bubble together. I'm thinking it was something to do with the garage environment they were stored in, perhaps. I also have one kept in my office that's fine. Fortunately the bubbles aren't large and if they do become a problem I'll have a ready excuse to buy a brand new Silva :)

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Originally Posted by Mossdog

...I'll have a ready excuse to buy a brand new Silva :)

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Why not? One just can't have too many compasses.:)

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Originally Posted by Graham Breeze

Why not? One just can't have too many compasses.:)

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Ahhh but sadly, perhaps it's the bubble in my moral one that causes most grief :(

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Originally Posted by Mossdog

Ahhh but sadly, perhaps it's the bubble in my moral one that causes most grief :(

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Using a dibber thumb compass makes me feel like a wizard on mm-type events as it just floats above the control and makes it beep.

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Originally Posted by Mossdog

Ahhh but sadly, perhaps it's the bubble in my moral one that causes most grief :(

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Ha ha. Oh yes. That is very good. :D

Important compass bubble news...

my Silva compass has a bubble.

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Originally Posted by mr brightside

Important compass bubble news...

my Silva compass has a bubble.

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and no one believed me...at first! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYbHpXca7U0

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Originally Posted by Mossdog

Recently, all three of my Silva compasses have developed small air bubbles, effectively simultaneously. They range in age from about 10 years to a couple of years old. They've been kept in rucksacks and bumbags hanging in my garage, which doesn't get particularly cold or hot, so I'm a bit flummoxed (and peed off) as to why this has happened. They're still usable for now, but if the bubbles get worse (and I've no idea what caused the air to enter the needle housing) there's the expense of replacement. We'll see.

Does anyone else have experience of this? Quick internet search doesn't suggest any real remedies either.

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no remedy..they are dead and will get more so.. they are a sealed unit so once air gets in it will only get worse. its usually caused by the main housing being compressed in a rucksack or pocket, when released air is sucked in.
when you get higher the bubble will expand, small bubbles you can get away with but it will soon effect the needle stability.

bite the bullet and go to Dash4it.co.uk...

I had bemusedly watched this thread from afar thinking I was unaffected. However, I've just emptied the campervan and noticed my 6-7 year old Silva classic now has a bubble. Not so my 40 year old Silva expedition which apparently is still as airtight as the day it was bought and has seen far more abuse than the classic which basically sits in my bumbag all the time awaiting the next kit check.

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Originally Posted by IanDarkpeak

no remedy..they are dead and will get more so.. they are a sealed unit so once air gets in it will only get worse.

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Agreed.

I blame climate change. Or should that be Covid?

Er...Brexit?

:)

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Originally Posted by IanDarkpeak

no remedy..they are dead and will get more so.. they are a sealed unit so once air gets in it will only get worse. its usually caused by the main housing being compressed in a rucksack or pocket, when released air is sucked in.
when you get higher the bubble will expand, small bubbles you can get away with but it will soon effect the needle stability.

bite the bullet and go to Dash4it.co.uk...

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Thanks for that link Ian, I'd not come across that site before. You're correct about compressed compasses too, and I think I might rig up a small bubble wrap pouch or some sort of thing so I can cherish my new 'precious' properly.

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Originally Posted by Mossdog

Thanks for that link Ian, I'd not come across that site before. You're correct about compressed compasses too, and I think I might rig up a small bubble wrap pouch or some sort of thing so I can cherish my new 'precious' properly.

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My pleasure, thats what the forum is about.:D

Go outdoors usually will give 10% discount on a price match so you are even better off