Cammenga Compass Military Grade Phosphorescent - Lensatic Compass Shock, Sand, and Waterproof, Tactical, Navigation - Made in The USA

The only difference between this Cammenga Model 27, and the military issued Cammenga model 3H, is that this one uses phosphorescence rather than tritium for the glowing parts. That means this one is "glow-in-the-dark" and needs charged up via an external light source, while the 3H uses a radioactive isotope to produce light. Having the phosphorescent version isn't a big deal for most users that aren't worried about a flashlight giving away their position when using a compass at night. The downside to paying extra for the 3H, is that tritium has a half-life of 7 years and gets pretty dim after 10 years or so; if you're like me, you probably won't be using at night often enough in the next ten years to justify the additional expense. I quickly hit it with a flashlight before taking the attached photos. Aside from that, it is the tried and true durable compass of the military. It can take a beating, works well, and features a bezel with very tactile 3 degree clicks that allow you to easily count and adjust it without looking. I suggest watching a video of proper holding and sighting technique, because it makes a big difference. The metal loop is actually to put your thumb through, with the compass sitting on top of your closed fist; with the compass held this way and your hand held tightly up against your cheek like you would press it against a rifle stock to look through a scope, you can easily sight an object in the distance and see the angle through the lense without moving your face at all. If you hold it out in front of you and try to sight an object, you have to move your head to read the angle, which results in you moving the compass away from your sighted object and inaccurate readings. When used properly, a lensatic compass like this can take more accurate readings than a mirror style map compass. The downside is that it is not as easy to transfer the azimuth you've sighted into a map with a lensatic compass like this, without a protractor. I recommend pairing it with the MapTools pocket protractor (about five bucks on their website or Amazon).

Well, as many of you know, tritium takes 12 years to go dead. So between the time of manufacture, to your hands is minus that, and in 12 years guaranteed dark. Yeah, tritium is cooler but this is far more practical. Legit peice, heavy duty and proper as expected. We got metal, we got it pointing the right direction, everything is smooth and tight. Exactly as expected. My little pouch was different, green. I bought it for the accuracy, and it seems to have it. Came in a green molle case.

Always wanted to get one of these ( have a Silva expedition baseplate) to try during my weekend hikes. As described, well made, no issues, easy to use (good pdf instructions can be found online). Opens the door to a new way of looking at land nav, very happy.

Pouch fastener broken upon arrival. Seller ignored my concerns. Cammenga customer service offered the GI version pouch for $5. Four stars because the compass is good, as well as the Cammenga customer service. One star knocked off for pouch and seller ignorance.

A great compass to have when your GPS or phone battery dies. Works as advertised. No battery power needed!

We bought this for our daughter. She is a wild thing who loves the outdoors, and I was in the Army for too many years to count. We bought this compass and the protractor at the same time. Both of the items were in excellent condition. The quality was much like my first military compass fresh from the box! It appears to be as tough as the one I've now had going toward 40+ years. Moreover, the glow on the inside is evident and will be helpful when in the dark. Definitely a must-have and will be recommended to anyone who asks where they can find one.

I read a lot of good stuff about the compass before I bought it but I didn’t know it was made like things were made back in the 80s, to outlast your heirs and their heirs. Opening the clam needed some effort, very strong joints. Tough thick metal encasing a free floating liquidless compass with phosphorescent tick mark and looking window. All you have to do is flash a flashlight on the compass for 5 seconds & you can read everything in the dark. Closing the compass - brakes stop the compass stops rotating in stow away mode. Also no need for a ruler. The ring rotates in clicks 3 clicks 1 degree. Once you take angles from a map all you have to do is count clicks left or right to set declination. Directions are to the T accurate when I compared it to iPhone compass app. Amazing stuff really. Even if you don’t use one..nice collectible.

This compass is the best of quality and is accurate. Will live and function for ever. This is the one to buy. There are a few models to review and do that first. I purchased this one for my 12 year old grand son’s birthday. I have mine in my pocket for the last 45 years. I have it for travel and boating in the Great Lakes.