It’s always good to have a scuba diving compass on hand when you go scuba diving. It can be hard to find your way around when underwater and this device is designed specifically for scuba divers. A scuba diving compass is an important piece of equipment, so it’s worth taking the time to learn how they work and what features might interest you.
In this article, we will look at the different types of compasses and their benefits, as well as where you can buy one if you are interested in learning more about them. We hope that after reading our guide, you will feel confident enough to make an informed purchase decision.
Table of Contents
Quick overview
Suunto SK8
The Suunto SK8 is an example of a high-quality and well-rounded compass. This diving compass has a tilt angle that’s up to 3 times larger than other compasses, which means you can avoid the frustration of getting readings that are not accurate when you tilt the face slightly.
The phosphorescent card provides good illumination that is easy to read even in low light or low visibility and there is an upgraded magnet to allow you use this compass in any part of the world without accuracy being lost. There are 2 different mounts, allowing for convenience and ease in terms of storage and accessibility, as well as 2 levels of brightness for reading underwater.
Cressi Compass
The Cressi Compass with Strap and Hose Mount is a device that makes finding direction in water easy while under the water. The compass is equipped with a red lubber line to help you orientate it. It can be read while looking at it from above or through a Gun-Sight Accurate special window. The compass has a rotating ratchet bezel with double pointers for easy marking of your heading, as well as reciprocal heading. This product is designed by Cressi and made in Taiwan and has been around since 1946.
Sherwood Scuba Diving Compass
Sherwood Scuba Diving Compass is the best because it has a retractable cable and two mounting connectors. It’s used for finding direction underwater in the northern hemisphere, which means you can use it anywhere.
The dial is made of two concentric circles in order to help it clearly show its orientation (for example, up or down). The inner-circle provides a luminescent background that makes the gradations between degrees easily visible. It also comes with an attachable mount so that you can access your compass quickly when necessary. While other models may fatigue and sag under pressure, this model’s spring-loaded case stays taut so you never have to adjust it again.
The high-quality magnets in the compass—because of strong penetration with low resistance and spatial distortion—ensure a highly responsive reading, while the max tilt action eliminates any need to hold the compass level.
Oceanic Wrist Mount Compass
The Oceanic Wrist Mount Compass is a proprietary design with quick response and smooth movement. It also has a lubber line which increases visibility.
But what really makes this dive compass stand out is how easy it is to see in low light. The OceanGlo luminescent floating card absorbs light 7 times better than anything else, which means no matter how dark the water you can easily find your way back.
The streamlined design of this compass means it will be responsive to each movement without any issues. You also have a status panel, which can show you the view best suited for your needs underwater on command. It sits comfortably on the wrist thanks to its adjustable rubber strap and nylon loops, or you can attach it securely to your BCD that way instead.
XS Scuba Compass Module
Dive compasses are a great invention to have on your dive excursion. A compass module is one example of this idea. This particular model has some pretty notable features like the SuperTilt feature as well as its magnetic strength and ability to stay level even at an angle (30 degrees).
The large rotating bezel combined with the clear, easy-to read card design (once illuminated!) make this navigation tool stand out. Keep in mind that it’s more affordable and well worth the price if you are on a budget.
The downside is that this compass module doesn’t come with a mount, so you’ll need to purchase this separately. However, it does fit with many standard dive consoles and wrist mounts.
What is a diving compass
A scuba diving compass is a navigational instrument designed to assist scuba divers in their underwater navigation. The compass is basically a magnetic compass used for scuba diving instead of the usual surface-water use. These compasses are an important part of scuba gear because they allow you to travel with ease while underwater, especially when you do not have a guide or any other people who can help you out.
Benefits of scuba diving compasses
Scuba diving compasses are very helpful tools that can help you navigate underwater and find your way if you need to. While they may not be necessary for some people, they can definitely come in handy when the situation calls for it. These compass models are also very affordable and convenient to use, so there really is no downside to purchasing one! If you want all of these benefits in one place, scuba diving regulators with built-in compasses or dive computers are also a good choice.
Types of diving compasses
There are three main types of scuba diving compasses that you can find: wrist compasses and directional compasses. There are also other compass types, such as those built into the scuba regulator or dive computer.
Digital compasses
A dive computer has its own built-in compass that is used for navigation. This type of compass may be more convenient than a wrist compass or digital compass because it is already built into the regulator or dive computer. This makes it easier to perform all of your navigational duties without having to refer to a separate device. A compass may not be available on every regulator, so it’s good to check with the manufacturer before purchasing one if you need one that is built right into the scuba diving gear.
Wrist compasses
Wrist scuba diving compasses are typically designed to fit on a diver’s wrist, so they are easy to access while underwater. You have more freedom with this type of scuba compass because it’s not attached to any gear, so you can easily remove it from your wrist and continue doing what you need to be doing without worrying about losing your navigation equipment. In addition, these compasses will often have the option to be attached to other scuba equipment, such as scuba diving tanks.
The downside to wrist compasses is that they can be inconvenient when you need your hands for something else. You may also find them difficult to attach and detach quickly, especially if it needs a lot of pressure or special care. However, these compass models are very affordable and normally come with many helpful accessories like quick-release strap buckles and fasteners.
Directional compass
Directional diving compasses are instruments that can point you in a specific direction, making it easier for you to navigate underwater without getting lost. This type of compass is designed to be fixed on scuba diving equipment and will stay in place while you use it. You can attach compasses as you see fit, but make sure they cannot fall off easily or you may find yourself without a scubadiving compass if it comes loose at the wrong time.
How to use a diving compass
Using a scuba diving compass is relatively easy when you know how to do it. First, hold the compass in your hand and keep it as level as possible. The side that has the arrow will always be pointing towards the north (the top of the ‘N’). If no number lines are present on the compass, you can line up the needle with either 180 degrees or 270 degrees to find your way around. Each degree should equal roughly 15 meters, so you can use this information to determine how far you have gone underwater if you need help finding your location again.
Conclusion
Now you know the basics of how a compass works and what features are important to look for. Remember, it’s always good to have a scuba diving compass on hand when you go scuba diving because it can be difficult to find your way around underwater without one. A scuba diving compass is an important piece of equipment so we hope that after reading this article, you will feel confident enough to buy one if you are interested in learning more about them.