New Compass Selection

[SEMIJim]

We've pretty much decided to buy a new compass, rather than repair the old. The following four models all have approximately the same mounting footprint. Wondering if anybody has any comments about their manufacturers, product quality, etc?

http://www.danforthcompass.com/produ...dual-read A140:


Ritchie Navigation SR-2 Venture:


B-116 Sail:


Plastimo Contest 130:


The ex-compass-repair-guy I talked to likes Ritchie over Suunto. He didn't mention Danforth or Plastimo.

Right now we're kind of leaning toward the Plastimo Contest 130 in black with a red card. The Contest 130 has a 5" apparent card diameter, whereas the Sunnto is 4-1/2" and the other two are 3-3/4". This is going to be mounted on the mast, so the bigger the (apparent) card, the better. Plus I'm pretty impressed with the build quality of my Plastimo Iris 50 hand-bearing compass.

Comments?

Thanks,
Jim

[sailingdog]

I'd recommend getting it with the black card rather than the red card. It will be easier to read at night, especially with a red compass light, than the one with the red card, since the contrast between the numbers and the card will be much higher.

[SEMIJim]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

I'd recommend getting it with the black card rather than the red card. It will be easier to read at night, especially with a red compass light, than the one with the red card, since the contrast between the numbers and the card will be much higher.

Hmmm... I suppose that's probably true. The other thing about the Plastimo with the red card is it's got a white light, which is not good for night vision. But still: Looking at the on-line pictures, the white-on-red seems easier to read than the white-on-black. Even Ritchie's white-on-blue looks easier on the eye. I wish the Plastimo came in black-on-white, but only Suunto seems to offer that. Never been a fan of white-on-black. My eyes don't seem to like it. Web sites with white lettering on a dark background are difficult for me to read.

Jim

[sailingdog]

SemiJim-

You're not imagining things. WHen I was a graphic designer, we had a statistic that said reverse type was about 40% harder to read than non-reverse type.... so you're not crazy—at least in this case. I have a Plastimo that has a red card with white numbers and a white light...and hate it...but can't justify replacing it yet.

[SEMIJim]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

I have a Plastimo that has a red card with white numbers and a white light...and hate it...but can't justify replacing it yet.

Exactly what we're considering, then. What do you hate about it, then: Daytime, at night, both? It's difficult to read? Degrades your night vision?

Jim

[sailingdog]

Mainly the effect on night vision. Tried to replace the white light with a red one, but then it is too hard to read from a distance.

[SEMIJim]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

Mainly the effect on night vision.

Ok. But it's easily readable, night and day? From a distance, maybe? You see: I'm not sure how much the white light will be an issue for us. The compass will be mast-mounted, just as its predecessor was, and there's currently no power for it, anyway. Even if I do get lighting power to it, it's going to be some 8-10 feet from where we're sitting in the cockpit. I'm not sure a softly-lit compass that far away will much hurt our night vision, just as I'm not sure we'll actually be able to see/read a red-lit compass that far away.

Originally Posted by sailingdog

Tried to replace the white light with a red one, but then it is too hard to read from a distance.

I imagine so.

I'm surprised it affects your night vision that much--even if it's in your cockpit or on a binnacle. You have a white compass body or a black one? The light can't be all that bright. Isn't most of the light reflected off the red card?

Jim

[Maine Sail]

Jim,

Don't overlook having your compass properly "swung" and a deviation card made once installed!

A new compass that has not been properly calibrated can be practically worthless.. I have mine adjusted every two years or if I add or change instruments close to the compass.

I've purchased boats before where the compass was off a full 30 degrees on certain points of sail. It cost me about $125.00 to have Maine Compass service come out to my boat, with the magic box, and go through the paces of adjusting it... Money very well spent!!

[sailaway21]

Jim,
With light at night it's not the quantity but the color and intensity. A small amount of white light can have a greatn effect on your night vision while you can literally bathe the area in red light to no detriment in night vision. A while light the size we're talkling about on a compass is going to not only cause loss of night vision it will hurt your eyes to view.

As Dog was getting around to saying, if he was doing more night sailing, that baby would be gone.

You can test this at home for effect. Take a flashlight that you'll be using on the boat, remove it's lens, and paint the inside of the lens red with nail polish. Reassemble, get yet another flashlight, (You can't have too many flashlights on a boat, in my opinion), and wait for dark. Turn out all lighting in a room that you can make completely dark, and sit there for 10-15 minutes until night vision is established. Have your assistant turn on the red light, say shining down at the open pages of a book. Next try to same thing with the white light flash light, having your assistant shield the lens so little light emerges onto the book. You'll notice that the red, once extinguished, did little harm to your night vision while just that tiny amount of white destroyed it.

[SEMIJim]

Originally Posted by halekai36

Jim,

Don't overlook having your compass properly "swung" and a deviation card made once installed!

I knew about that, but thanks for making the point, nonetheless.

You say you have it swung for you? This isn't something one can do for ones self?

The procedure is fairly straight-forward, I thought.

Jim