Davis Instruments Compasses
Precision Navigation with Davis Instruments Compasses
When GPS fails and the sky closes in, a reliable compass is the navigator's last line of defense. Davis Instruments has long been a trusted name in marine navigation, and their compass offerings reflect the same philosophy that runs through their entire product line: practical, well-engineered tools that solve real problems on the water.
The Davis Instruments Hand Bearing Compass
Davis Instruments' flagship compass offering is the Hand Bearing Compass (SKU 215), available in both standard and illuminated versions. This hand bearing compass is designed for accurate navigation in all conditions, featuring a pistol grip handle, liquid-damped compass card, and built-in LED lighting for clear readings by day or night. The ergonomic pistol grip and large contoured handle make it easy to hold steady even in choppy conditions, while the design includes a lanyard and front and rear sights alongside a liquid-damped direct-reading compass card with 5° graduations.
The illuminated version features a solid-state LED and a positive push-on switch, making it especially useful during pre-dawn departures or after-dark passages when reading a compass card without backlighting becomes difficult or dangerous.
What Can You Do with a Hand Bearing Compass?
A hand bearing compass is far more versatile than it might appear at first glance. Uses include quick bearing or position set, determination of angular gain or loss on the competition while racing, checking distance offshore, establishing lee-bow set while cruising or racing in currents, drift vectoring, and plotting a line of position. Whether you're a cruiser making coastal passages, a racer looking for a tactical edge, or a powerboater wanting a reliable backup to your chartplotter, the Davis compass earns its place aboard.
Built to Float, Designed to Last
Constructed of impact-resistant plastic, the Davis hand bearing compass is light enough to float — a small but critical detail for any piece of gear that might end up over the side. The compass card is liquid-dampened and LED illuminated, and while bubbles have been known to form in the liquid at high altitude, they do not adversely affect operation. This durability and buoyancy make the Davis compass a sensible choice for everything from dinghy racing to offshore blue-water passages.
A Part of Davis Instruments' Broader Navigation Ecosystem
Davis Instruments manufactures two distinct lines of products: one focused on weather monitoring stations for homes, schools, industry, and agriculture, and a marine line comprising over a hundred unique products for boaters, fishermen, and outdoor enthusiasts. The hand bearing compass fits naturally within this broader navigation ecosystem, which also includes sextants, piloting reference cards, and charting tools — all designed to keep mariners oriented when it matters most.
For sailors and powerboaters who take navigation seriously, a Davis Instruments compass is a compact, affordable, and battle-tested tool that deserves a permanent home in the nav bag. Browse the full range of marine compasses or explore everything Davis Instruments has to offer.