Click to View the Full Thread

Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: Clock and compass combo

Author

Message Text

ckb

04/25/2012 08:52AM

quote schweady: To summarize:
You can use a compass to tell what time it is.
You can use a watch as a compass.
Some can look at the sky and be within 15 minutes.

"

There certainly are some strong opinions in this harmless little thread.

I would agree about being able to estimate time and direction when the sun is out, but how about this scenario. It's the middle of the night and you have to pee. If I glance at the watch and see it's 4:30, then I'll be lazy and hold it until daylight. If it's only 1:00, I'd better get moving. Or how about an overcast day?

I have definitely considered just getting a cheap waterproof watch to attach to the pack or a belt loop (with or without the carabiner). But I also want a compass. And a thermometer would be nice to have too, for curiousity as much as anything. So I figure why get two or three separate things to carry when I can just get one. And I'm a bit of a tech snob, so I don't want a cheap little bubble compass. I want something that reads down to a degree or two, because I'll probably do some orienteering with scouts and need something more accurate. That's why I'm leaning away from the Dakota Angler 2, as the compass looks pretty small.

Are those Timex or Casio compass watches any good? For the price you would hope so.

fitgers1

04/25/2012 12:24PM

This just came through on an REI mega deal e-mail.

compass with clock

schweady

12/10/2021 11:36AM

schweady: "If I gotta pee and it's still dark, I get up and pee.
If I gotta pee and it's getting light, I get up and pee.
(and, maybe get dressed and begin another day, who knows?)

Life is not so complicated that I need a timepiece for that.
"
Hmmm... 9-1/2 years later, I seem to have modified my thinking on this one, partly because I've gone more during shoulder seasons with shorter daylight hours. I picked up an old plastic watch face and toss it into the tent pocket. Then:

If I gotta pee and it's before 5:00, I get up and pee.
If I gotta pee and it's after 5:00, I get up and pee... and start making coffee.

Wally13

12/11/2021 09:09AM

Schweady,

Your post remark got me laughing drinking my morning coffee. We are both the same age.

Just finished drinking my 2nd cup of Joe … gotta go pee! LOL

awbrown

04/23/2012 09:57PM

Technology is great, but don't forget that you are travelling in a wet, water environment.

I've never seen a Silva compass wear out a battery, quit from dampness, be impossible to read because of sunlight, lose a signal, etc.

Buy a watch, and buy a compass. Nothing that is combined together, ever works as well as the dedicated item. In addition, when it fails (and it will due to Murphy's law) then you lose the use of two items, not one.

I can guarantee you that if my life depends upon it, it had better be reliable, quality made and simple.

If I carried a GPS, I'd also be carrying a compass......just in case.

ckb

04/24/2012 10:41AM

quote bojibob: "CKB,

Just go to eBay and you can usually find a carabiner style one for $40-75

I got the HighGear one in that price range and its a fine piece of bomb proof gear. I just clip it to my pack

"

bob, that's the Altitech - a really nice one. Just looked at it, and you're talking over $120 at most retailers. I'll have to check e-bay for a deal. The Angler 2 looks to be about half the price.

In finding those, I came up with the HighGear Trailpoint. I'm a bit worried that the $35 price tag means it too cheap to be any good. Anyone seen or used this?

I understand the concerns about a digital compass and won't argue the point. My boy scout son will have his Silva in his pack. I'm mostly looking for a clip watch and a compass to keep him honest. But I still want the compass to work well. I have too many junk little ones. Thanks!

Huntindave

04/24/2012 05:55AM

quote kanoes: "not to brag (much). i can look at the sky and be within 15 minutes."

Not to brag (much) I can look at the sky and not care what time it is!! :>) :>)

bojibob

04/24/2012 07:40AM

CKB,

Just go to eBay and you can usually find a carabiner style one for $40-75

I got the HighGear one in that price range and its a fine piece of bomb proof gear. I just clip it to my pack

This high-tech, feature-loaded device combines an altimeter, barometer, compass, thermometer, watch and chronograph in one handheld device. The altimeter measures height in 1-ft. or 1m increments, and logs up to 20 altitude measurements in memory. Its barometer features a graphical display with weather-forecasting icons and 1mbar resolution. The compass measures orientation in 1° increments and features a cardinal north indicator, digital calibration and adjustable declination. The thermometer measures temperature in Fahrenheit or Celsius down to the nearest tenth of a degree. Chronograph measures down to the nearest hundredth of a second for up to 24 hours, with up to 100 laps/splits; internal memory stores up to 30 runs. Choose 12- or 24-hour time format and two daily alarms. Clock also offers dual-time zone capability. High-strength anodized aluminum carabiner clip for convenient carrying and easy attachment to belts and packs. Rubberized composite case and backplate. Water-resistant to 10m. Acrylic lens. Electroluminescent backlight.

ckb

04/23/2012 11:54AM

I am looking for a combination of a compass and a clock, but can't see to find any other than a few that seem really cheap. Cheap compasses just don't work right.

I don't wear watches, so the casio/timex compass watches are out. I would really prefer a carabiner type. Something that clips on would be great; somthing that I could take from tent to canoe to trail.

I thought about a portable handheld GPS, but I want something lighter that doesn't run through batteries. Compass can be digital or manual. Backlight would be nice to read the clock at night.

Anyone have any suggestions where I could find such a thing?

jeroldharter

04/24/2012 07:09PM

Why not put a watch on a small carabiner and use a regular compass? I would keep it simple.

fitgers1

04/24/2012 11:32PM

That's a sweet peace of gear Boji. I'll add that to the Christmas list. Would be good for the PFD/ditch kit.

ockycamper

12/10/2021 10:35AM

Like others, we bring Silva compasses, along with GPS units typically on lanyards or in our PFD's. Any GPS unit will have the time, as will any weather radio or two way or ham radio. No need for a watch with all that.

schweady

04/25/2012 09:48AM

If I gotta pee and it's still dark, I get up and pee.
If I gotta pee and it's getting light, I get up and pee.
(and, maybe get dressed and begin another day, who knows?)

Life is not so complicated that I need a timepiece for that.

schweady

04/24/2012 09:39PM

quote bojibob: "

"
I hope they made that model pull extra duty as a bottle opener...

To summarize:
You can use a compass to tell what time it is.
You can use a watch as a compass.
Some can look at the sky and be within 15 minutes.

So, I'm thinking kanoes should be able to tell which way am I pointing right now... :)

KarlBAndersen1

12/21/2021 06:30AM

billconner

04/23/2012 01:08PM

I have a Dakota angler I like a lot - time, alarm, red LED light (good for star charts), compass, thermometer. Mine is the first verison and I see they have moved to II.

Dakota Angler II

sunnybear09

04/23/2012 08:56PM

I have one of the original Angler I watches--the compass is strongly influenced by the nippers--take them off if you want to really know where north is. I would check the new model also, just to be sure. If you only want a crude compass bearing which is all you can get with the small diameter compass, you can use the clock face method if the sun is out for just as much accuracy. Of course if it's dark...you ought to be camped anyway! If you really need a good bearing, nothing beats the real thing. On small lakes crude is usually good enough--with a good map.

gutmon

04/23/2012 10:26PM

Can also use a watch as a compass
http://www.world-time-zones.org/articles/compass.htm

gutmon

04/23/2012 10:32PM

http://m.wikihow.com/Tell-Time-Without-a-Clock

kanoes

04/23/2012 10:27PM

not to brag (much). i can look at the sky and be within 15 minutes.

ckb

04/24/2012 10:35AM

bob, that's the Altitech - a really nice one. Just looked at it, and you're talking over $120 at most retailers. I'll have to check e-bay for a deal. The Angler 2 looks to be about half the price.

In finding those, I came up with the HighGear Trailpoint. I'm a bit worried that the $35 price tag means it too cheap to be any good. Anyone seen or used this?

yellowcanoe

04/24/2012 10:43AM

If you have a watch with hands you have a compass. Go to Wally World and buy a cheap watch.

here is how to use your watch

gutmon

04/23/2012 10:23PM

During the day, I have a friend that can use a compass to tell what time it is. He's pretty accurate.

billconner

04/24/2012 07:02AM

Sunnybear is probably right but I removed the clippers before first trip since I don't fish. I do have a Silva in my map case, so only relied on the Angler I when my Silva decided to leak all of its mineral oil all over my maps and stop working. The angler has never failed me, even dropped and in water. It does sink. I keep spare batteries - two different ones - the little discs - in first aid kit. I think maybe on third set in 10 years.

But if you want a reason not to want what you were looking for, you got lots of those above.

Jaywalker

12/21/2021 11:48AM

schweady: "schweady: "If I gotta pee and it's still dark, I get up and pee.
If I gotta pee and it's getting light, I get up and pee.
(and, maybe get dressed and begin another day, who knows?)

Life is not so complicated that I need a timepiece for that.
"
Hmmm... 9-1/2 years later, I seem to have modified my thinking on this one, partly because I've gone more during shoulder seasons with shorter daylight hours. I picked up an old plastic watch face and toss it into the tent pocket. Then:

If I gotta pee and it's before 5:00, I get up and pee.
If I gotta pee and it's after 5:00, I get up and pee... and start making coffee.
"
I trust that in mid-2031 you will update us on any further changes to your nocturnal urinary practices?