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The Suunto MC-2 compass features a globally balanced needle for accurate navigation in any hemisphere. Additional features like liquid-filled housing, declination correction, and luminous markings enhance its practicality.
Suunto says:
When venturing out into new territory, MC-2 sighting compasses offer precision navigation with a variety of carefully engineered and dependable features for challenging conditions. Depending on the variant, MC-2 comes with Metric UTM scales and inch ruler or USGS UTM scales.
The Earth’s magnetic field does not flow evenly between the magnetic poles along the surface of the planet. To compensate for the natural tilt in the magnetic field, Suunto compasses use one of two balancing systems and you should choose the variant best serving your needs.
One is a two-zone system with needles balanced for either the northern or southern hemisphere. The second is a unique globally balanced system. A single needle is balanced to work anywhere in the world. This is achieved by a breakthrough construction allowing the needle and magnet to tilt independently.
Our Verdict
For navigating confidently through unfamiliar terrain, a reliable compass is an essential piece of gear. The Suunto MC-2 compass aims to provide the accuracy and features needed for challenging navigation in a compact, thoughtfully designed package.
The highlight of the MC-2 is its precision needle system. Suunto uses a unique globally balanced needle that can tilt independently from the compass housing. This ingenious design allows the compass to compensate for abnormalities in the Earth's magnetic fields and operate accurately anywhere in the world. For adventures spanning different hemispheres, this global balancing is a major advantage over traditional compasses balanced for just the northern or southern hemisphere.
In addition to the high-quality needle, the MC-2 includes a slew of other navigation-boosting features. The liquid-filled housing keeps the needle stable even in rough conditions. Adjustable declination correction accounts for the difference between true north and magnetic north. A sighting mirror, notch, and hole enable precise bearings. And luminous markings ensure visibility in low light.
- Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear
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Features
- High grade steel needle with jewel bearing
- Balanced for northern hemisphere
- Adjustable declination correction
- Liquid filled capsule for stable operation
- Mirror for sighting bearings and signaling
- Sighting hole and notch for accurate bearings
- Clinometer
- Luminescent markings for working in low light
- USGS UTM scales
- Baseplate with magnifying lens
- Detachable snap-lock lanyard with wristlock. Easy to detach for working with the map
- Suunto limited lifetime warranty
- Made in Finland
Specifications
- Weight: 75g
- Dimensions: 65 x 101 x 18 mm / 2.56 x 3.98 x 0.71 "
- Declination correction: adjustable
- Water resistance: insensitive to water pressure
- Luminous markings bezel, orienting markings, direction of travel
Material & Construction
- Bezel material: Plastic
- Needle: high grade steel
- Imperial scales inch, 1:24 000 mi, 1:24 000 UTM, 1:50 000 UTM
- Compass accuracy 2.5°
- Compass resolution 2°
