i am struggling to find some wom boxes i have been given with my old silva type3 and recon it may be easier with a proper sighting compass
also i am going to be siting a few boxes of my own and recon i will need a better compass for that if i ever expect anyone to be able find them
what is the best budget compass out there for letterboxing they seem to vary a lot pricewise
budget sighting compass
Moderator: Moderators
budget sighting compass
70 to go
- Sowerby Streaker
- Site Admin
- Posts: 713
- Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2007 9:15 pm
- Location: Brixham
Agree - you really have to be very accurate with the bearings when siting boxes. If you try and sight them with a hand held compass, then it will make it very difficult for other boxers with the proper sighting compass to find the box. You can find the '54' on ebay sometimes, or even Amazon. A good price is between £40 - 50. If you are going to get into boxing as a real hobby this compass is essential.
- Sowerby Streaker
- Site Admin
- Posts: 713
- Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2007 9:15 pm
- Location: Brixham
-
- Hiker
- Posts: 103
- Joined: Sun Jul 31, 2011 8:56 am
- Location: cornwall
I would suggest if you are going to spend £40 - £50 on a compass you throw an extra £10 at it and get yourself a GPS off of ebay?
I have tried all sorts of things but sometimes it boils down to "LUCK?" You have to trust that the people sighting the box are 100% accurate and what is 100% really? I used to think "some people" are having a laugh, but maybe it is down to re-siteing of boxes or even the LBT? (what is 100%?)
Failing all that PM me your address and I will send you my compass, as I don't use it, and have two I don't use! (you did say "budget")
Now I just go for a walk. If I find one, I find one, if not? Hay Ho! I still find as many by chance as looked for........ Or is it just me? Am I just crap at it?
I have tried all sorts of things but sometimes it boils down to "LUCK?" You have to trust that the people sighting the box are 100% accurate and what is 100% really? I used to think "some people" are having a laugh, but maybe it is down to re-siteing of boxes or even the LBT? (what is 100%?)
Failing all that PM me your address and I will send you my compass, as I don't use it, and have two I don't use! (you did say "budget")
Now I just go for a walk. If I find one, I find one, if not? Hay Ho! I still find as many by chance as looked for........ Or is it just me? Am I just crap at it?
i recon its probably within 5degrees with my ordinary compass but i have to line it up then try to bring the compass down to chest height to see the dial while keeping the direction right its not accurate at all realy and nowhere near correct
i have sent you a pm anyway if you have a sighting compass spare that would be amazing then i can as you say put the cash towards a gps and have both
i have sent you a pm anyway if you have a sighting compass spare that would be amazing then i can as you say put the cash towards a gps and have both
70 to go
-
- Site Admin
- Posts: 2615
- Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2005 9:21 pm
- Location: Somewhere over the rainbow
- devon steamer
- Ambler
- Posts: 41
- Joined: Mon Oct 11, 2010 7:19 pm
- Location: lee mill
- The Sly Fox
- Trekker
- Posts: 439
- Joined: Sun Jul 16, 2006 6:52 pm
- Location: Plymouth
That is the funniest thing I've read on here in agesreg the bullmastiff wrote:Now I just go for a walk. If I find one, I find one, if not? Hay Ho! I still find as many by chance as looked for........ Or is it just me? Am I just crap at it?
This fox is the hunter, not the hunted !!
1,578 and counting ...
1,578 and counting ...
-
- Hiker
- Posts: 103
- Joined: Sun Jul 31, 2011 8:56 am
- Location: cornwall
AH I take it it's me, I must be crap?
Went to the moor over the weekend and found a few, no map, compass or book. Just a dog (can anyone guess what sort of dog I have?) ANYWAY I digress I went and checked on our box that has been out since 2009-2010 ..................... I'VE BEEN ROBBED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So what is the answer??????????????
STICK OUT A "LOAD" MORE!
Went to the moor over the weekend and found a few, no map, compass or book. Just a dog (can anyone guess what sort of dog I have?) ANYWAY I digress I went and checked on our box that has been out since 2009-2010 ..................... I'VE BEEN ROBBED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So what is the answer??????????????
STICK OUT A "LOAD" MORE!
-
- Site Admin
- Posts: 2615
- Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2005 9:21 pm
- Location: Somewhere over the rainbow
The mention of a GPS is a good one. Not to everyone's tastes, and if you're asking to this detail of a sighting compass, it's clear you've got a good idea of what you want, but I find a GPS very useful for navigating as well as keeping track of where I've been. "Where's my car" is always a quick answer with an exact distance too - I don't even need to waymark it as the path I've walked is shown on the map.
And yes, magnetic compasses are often built in too, as well as true bearings.
A true, good, sighting compass will last a lifetime, is lighter, less easily damaged and never runs out of batteries. Just mentioning the alternatives!
And yes, magnetic compasses are often built in too, as well as true bearings.
A true, good, sighting compass will last a lifetime, is lighter, less easily damaged and never runs out of batteries. Just mentioning the alternatives!
-
- Site Admin
- Posts: 2615
- Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2005 9:21 pm
- Location: Somewhere over the rainbow
Anyone who relies upon a GPS is a fool, IMHO. I like to use a GPS as an aid, but secondary to the compass and good preparation.Dartymoor wrote: A true, good, sighting compass will last a lifetime, is lighter, less easily damaged and never runs out of batteries. Just mentioning the alternatives!
Using a GPS certainly blinkers anyone as to what is going on around you, as the user follows their course blindly.
A compass shows the way a GPS takes you there.... does that make sense?