Quote Originally Posted by damienpearson View Post
Don’t mean to hijack this thread, but without starting a new one about a compass, now that I know how to uses my basic compass (with the worst needle in the world) it’s now time to upgrade.
Does it matter about having scales on the baseplate? I’m assuming most of the time while racing, the compass is used mostly to get adirection etc. I’ve not had to use one in racing yet so I’m not sure.
The majority I’ve looked at have mm as standard if they don’t have any scales on. Thinking about the Silva Field Compass or the Expedition 4 as it has the new 1:40k scale, does this scale matter?



Any advice appreciated.
I use a type 7 for racing and a type 4 for teaching/instructing.
the 1:40,000 is good if you are doing MM's as thats the scale they use. This has replaced the old 1inch mile scale erm which was.....erm some thing like 1:36,630.

The roamers scales are very useful not only for working out how far you need to go but also for giving an accurate grid ref. If you are inexperienced then I would get one with roamers. the more practiced you are the less you need these. if you have poor eye sight or in complicated terrain then the magnifyer can help.