Navigation instruments, compass, & GPS department

Gear Index

Navigation instruments, compass, & GPS department. Navigation instruments, compass, & GPS department. Navigation instruments, compass, & GPS department.

Handheld GPS : Digital Compasses : Map Compasses : Specialty Compasses

If you spend time outdoors in the wilderness, you know how important it is to have good tools to rely on. That's why we have chosen to represent Brunton, Recta (Suunto), Lowrance, Magellan, & Garmin...the premier names in compass & GPS navigation. Although we stock the more innovative of their respective product lines, let us know if we can help you source a particular model.

Expansion Alert...
If you see an item listed here, but no link to a product page, it's not a mistake... we are expanding our catalog, and are trying desperately to keep up.
We have most of the new items in stock already, so please call or email for price & availability...
1-888-904-9990

Handheld GPS
And more importantly, do you need one...

The Global Positioning System, or GPS, is a satellite-based navigation system made up of a network of 24 satellites placed in orbit by the U.S. Department of Defense. GPS was originally intended for military applications, but in the 1980's, it was made available for civilian use. GPS works in any weather conditions, anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day. There are no subscription fees or set-up charges to use it.

Although GPS is a wonderful tool for getting around, it is not recommended to be your sole means of navigation. Heavy cloud cover, trees & deep canyons can affect satellite reception, and these are the times when you absolutely need to know where you are going. Therefore it is always recommended, even by GPS manufacturers, that you also take along your compass & map as back-up. Use your GPS for fast bearings, logging waypoints & even tracking weather changes. Use the compass & map as back-up & to gain a better perspective of your local terrain.

Outdoor recreation models typically feature rugged body construction, mapping & communication capabilities. The Lowrance iFinder models & Brunton Atlas models are certainly leaders in this category, along with models from Garmin such as the Rinos. Since most handheld units boast an accurate 12 channel parallel receiver, other features become more important. Look for sensitive antennas & fast acquisition times so you do not waste precious battery power waiting for positioning, WAAS capability for the highest degree of accuracy (which is the reason for using GPS in the first place), large displays for the finest mapping detail, integration with 3rd party mapping software, overall battery life expectancy, & of course memory size for storing waypoints & routes. Take note of special features that each unit provides such as barometer, altimeter, or digital compass integration.

Handheld Mapping...

Triton 2000
by Magellan
Waterproof GPS with barometer, digital camera, LED flashlight, voice rec, & National Geographic maps

Triton 1500
by Magellan
Waterproof GPS with LED flashlight, voice rec & National Geographic maps

Triton 500
by Magellan
Waterproof GPS with barometer & National Gepgraphic maps

iFinder Hunt Plus
by Lowrance
We only have a few of these popular units left!

iFinder H2O
by Lowrance
Reliable & accurate waterproof GPS receiver

iFinder Explorer
by Lowrance
Absolutely affordable entry-level handheld with great features

iFinder Go
by Lowrance
The basics with basemap in a simple to use, small size

Atlas MNS
by Brunton
Fantastic entry GPS at a clearance price

Atlas
by Brunton
One of the best handhelds, clearance priced

2-Way Radio...

Rino 530HCx
by Garmin
Mini map compass for keychains

Rino 520HCx
by Garmin
Mini map compass for keychains

Rino 130
by Garmin
GPS radio with mapping, weather, & more

Rino 120
by Garmin
GPS radio with mapping features

Rino 110
by Garmin
GPS enabled FRS/GMRS radio

Rino Accessories
by Garmin
We have just about everything for your Rino

GPS-enabled...

iQue M3
by Garmin
Pocket PC with integrated GPS

GPS 10
by Garmin
Add GPS functionality to your laptop

Digital Compasses

Handheld...

Nomad V2 Pro
by Brunton
Navigation & weather at the touch of a button

Nomad V2
by Brunton
Advanced functions made easy

Outdoorsman
by Coghlans
Simple, with declination adjust, clock, & temp

Wrist top...

eCompass Titanium
by Timex
An electronic compass with analog display

Adventure Compass
by Timex
Advanced digital compass watch

Ranger Peak
by Origo
Oversize display is ideal for racers & hikers

Compass & Map Navigation
The reliable, traditional way to get around...

Magnetic fields surround the earth & come together to form the magnetic north & south poles. A magnetized needle will rotate and align itself with these magnetic fields. When a compass is held level, the red (typically) end of the needle will point towards magnetic North.

As you face North, imagine a circle marked 0^o to 360^o surrounding you, with 90^o marking East, 180^o marking South, 270^o marking West, and 360^o (or 0^o) marking North. Any one of those 360 degrees or numbers is a direction or "bearing" from North. The compass azimuth ring represents that imaginary circle with all the degrees printed on it. Rotating the azimuth ring to align it with the needle provides you with the bearing from North to the direction of travel or a landmark.

What is Declination?
Declination is the angle difference between True North (ie. the globe's North Pole), and Magnetic North. Declination is different depending on your local position on the globe. Since all maps are geographic representations, they use the physical North Pole, while compasses are bound to the Magnetic North. Therefore, compasses must be adjusted to the appropriate declination angle for the area you are travelling in (usually indicated in the legend of your map).

Declination-adjustable compasses have a declination scale printed on the azimuth ring, or may have a method of creating an offset that makes it easier to take bearings.

Choosing a compass...
There are many different compass styles & features available to suit a variety of applications.

Fixed Azimuth Ring
These compasses are the simple ones that have no moving parts - just a needle that spins to point north. Such compasses are excellent for general direction finding & are great for kids, travelers, skiers, & anyone needing a quick reference point.

Base Plate Sighting
These are usually transparent base plate style map compasses. Backpackers, hikers, campers, hunters, & adventure racers generally use this type of compass. The advantages over fixed azimuth compasses include increased accuracy, declination adjustability, & ease of use with maps.

Mirrored Sighting
This style of compass is designed for meeting the demands of more advanced users. Expedition members, outdoor skills instructors & surveyors all require the precision that this type of compass affords. Its advantages over the other systems is that the sighting mechanism allows you to simultaneously align the needle while viewing the object you are taking a bearing to. Accuracy can be up to 1 degree on some models.

Whichever compass model you choose, it is a good idea to practice map & compass skills. Proper planning for your trip takes very little time, but can make the trip far more rewarding.