Compasses
Why a Quality Compass Still Matters on the Water and the Road
In an age of GPS chartplotters and smartphone navigation apps, it is tempting to think of the traditional compass as a relic. In reality, a reliable compass is one of the most important pieces of safety equipment any boater or RV traveler can carry. Electronics fail — batteries die, signals drop, and screens crack — but a well-made magnetic compass requires no power source and provides an instant, accurate heading at any moment. Experienced mariners and overlanders know that GPS should be treated as a convenient supplement, while a compass remains the foundation of confident navigation.
Types of Compasses to Consider
The compass category spans a wide range of designs, each suited to a specific purpose. Helm-mounted compasses are permanently installed at the boat's steering station and give the helmsman a continuous, easy-to-read heading. They come in flush-mount, bracket-mount, bulkhead, and binnacle configurations to suit everything from small skiffs to offshore cruisers. Hand-bearing compasses are handheld instruments used to take precise magnetic bearings on landmarks, channel markers, or other vessels — invaluable for piloting, collision avoidance, and race-start tactics. Dash-mount and surface-mount compasses are a popular choice for RVs, trucks, and automotive use, offering a quick glance at cardinal direction without any additional hardware or power.
When choosing a compass, several factors come into play:
- Dial size and readability: Larger dials are easier to read from a distance and in rough conditions; match dial diameter to your boat's length and helm layout.
- Liquid damping: A liquid-filled compass card settles quickly and smoothly, reducing the needle bounce caused by wave action or road vibration.
- Mounting style: Consider whether flush-mount, bracket-mount, or handheld best fits your helm setup and use case.
- Lighting: Built-in LED or incandescent illumination is essential for night passages or driving after dark.
- Magnetic interference: Mount any compass away from speakers, electronics wiring, and metal hardware that could introduce deviation errors.
Top Brands in Compasses
Davis Instruments is a well-established name in precision marine navigation tools. Their hand-bearing compasses feature liquid-damped compass cards graduated in 5° segments with ergonomic contoured handles, making it easy to obtain quick magnetic bearings on shore objects or floating targets — whether you are plotting a line of position, checking distance offshore, or tracking wind shifts during a race.
Custom Accessories brings practical, affordable compass solutions designed primarily for automotive, RV, and light marine use. Their dash-mount and surface-mount compasses offer easy installation and LED-lighted dials, making them a smart choice for drivers and RV travelers who want reliable directional awareness without a complex installation.
Compasses as Part of a Complete Navigation System
Whether you are offshore passagemaking, cruising coastal waterways, or navigating mountain highways in your RV, integrating a compass alongside your GPS and chart plotter creates a complete, redundant navigation system. A compass gives you an immediate, independent cross-check on your electronic data — and it is the one instrument that will never run out of battery power when you need it most.