Thread: Compass Brands

Don't quote me ...

There are I believe six magnetic fields/zones on earth. Bluntly put, the amount of magnetic force/pressure applied to the needle would differ at different parts of the needle depending on your location on earth. A simple example, if a compass set for the NZ magnetic field is used in the northern hemisphere the magnetic pressure acts in conjunction with the counter weight causing the needle to drag as the needle may only swivel on one plane.

The hub allows it to operate on two planes, similar to the way a large "bubble" compass would work on boat. This negates the need to apply a counter weight, the practical effect is your compass is now suitable for use in the north pole or south pole while generally being about x4-5 time the price of a normal compass.

No practical application if you are your average punter hunting in NZ.

IMO, buy a smaller backup compass and keep two compasses on your while hunting. I actually had a compass where the needle needed to be repolarized ... "needless" to say a very disconcerting experience.

Also for those of you learning to use a compass the add/subtract method is old school. Bearing off is the preferred method these days.