Tactical Shop
Tactical Aqua
Battery-free navigation in the backcountry. Mechanical compasses pair with paper maps to give you independent, precise bearings when GPS is unavailable, inaccurate or simply not trusted on ridgelines, in forests or bad weather.
Compasses – key features
- Fluid-filled capsule: fast damping of needle oscillations for stable readings.
- Transparent baseplate with rulers/scales for accurate map work.
- Rotating 360° bezel to lock a bearing (azimuth) and follow it in the field.
- Declination adjustment so magnetic north matches true/map north.
- Luminous markings for low-light use at dusk or under canopy.
- Sighting mirror on advanced models for precise long-range aiming.
Map work & taking bearings
Place the baseplate on the map along your intended line of travel, set declination, rotate the bezel to align with north and read the bearing. In the field, follow the needle, confirm with landmarks and use dog-legs (stepwise legs) when terrain forces detours.
Use cases & scenarios
- Hiking/mountaineering: position checks, contour reading, safe travel in fog.
- Search & rescue and military training: precise sector coverage and control.
- Hunting/fishing & field science: moving in remote areas with confidence.
- Orienteering: fast, accurate navigation under time pressure.
What to check before buying
- Bubble-free fluid capsule; needle swings smoothly and settles fast.
- Crisp, legible bezel engravings and easy gloved operation.
- Working declination adjustment for your region.
- Mirror/sight if you need precise long-distance bearings.
FAQ
Why carry a compass if I have GPS? It’s independent of batteries/signal and serves as primary or backup navigation.
Do I need declination adjustment? Yes—so the compass aligns with true north on the map for accurate routes.
Baseplate or mirror? Baseplate suits general hiking; a mirror adds precision for long-range sighting.
Are luminous markings useful? They help read scales and bezel in low light or dense forest.
TL;DR – quick overview
- precise, battery-free navigation with map synergy.
- fluid capsule, baseplate, 360° bezel, declination: the reliability core.
- ideal for hiking, SAR, orienteering and field work.
Build navigation autonomy: pick your features and checkout with secure payments (visa/mastercard, paypal, klarna – ssl secure).