SILVA COMPASS RANGE
The combination of a map and a good compass is one of the best keys to adventure. Knowledge in how to use them makes life a lot easier when the going gets tough out there. With more than 70 years experience of manufacturing compasses, we dare to say that Silva can provide you with the right choice, whether you are a Himalayan expedition member or a Scout. The world-famous SILVA 1-2-3 SYSTEM makes them easy to use in any conditions, including the toughest. 360° of pure adventure.
Eclipse
A revolution in compass technology! A magnetized disc and a reference circle in the bottom of the capsule, replacing the traditional compass needle and creating the ECLIPSE System. The ECLIPSE System gives improved accuracy in the readings. All ECLIPSE compasses are adjustable for magnetic declination (variation) and include a magnified graduation ring for ½-degree readings.
Voyager
Who needs a compass more than a globetrotter? The Voyager series features a multi-zone balanced needle that will work regardless where in the world you are. An optic yellow base plate with different map measuring scales as well as a magnetic declination adjustment are standard on all VOYAGER compasses.
Expedition
The world famous top-of-the-range Silva compasses for really advanced users.
Specially designed to simplify map work.
Scale markings for measuring co-ordinates and built in magnifier.
Also equipped with luminous markings in the housing, on the needle - and on the baseplate, for difficult navigation in the dark
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Ranger
Designed for more experienced users such as backpackers, mountaineers, hunters, fishermen etc. All RANGER compasses are equipped with; the patented red/black north/south lines in the capsule for quick and correct course setting, north indicator on the red end of the compass needle and luminous markings for navigation in the dark.
Field
Your first compass will probably be a Field compass. The classic entry level Silva compasses appreciated by scouts, schools and leisure navigators around the world! Now updated with a new soft grip tactile rubber compass bezel, these bestsellers stay popular thanks to their quality and user friendliness.
SILVA is the leading quality compass manufacturer in the world, producing approximately 2 million compasses per year. At the 2001 World Orienteering Championships 37 out of 37 medals were won with a compass from SILVA, Made in Sweden. The expertise of SILVA is based on unique knowledge, gained through more than 70 years of invention, testing and refinement of navigation equipment of the very highest quality. Leading edge technology and top professional management bring all the operations together. This means that projects are completely controlled by SILVA, from the drawing board, through production to marketing.
Taking a bearing from a map. The SILVA 1-2-3 SYSTEM:
1. Place the compass on the map with the edge of the compass along the desired line of travel.
2. Rotate the compass housing until N on the dial points North on the map. Check that the compass housing red/black north/south lines are parallel with the maps meridians.
3. Hold the compass in your hand and turn yourself until the red end of the compass needle (North) points to the magnetic variation (somewhere between 18˚ - 25˚ for New Zealand depending on where you are*) on the adjustable dial. The front of the compass with the direction of travel arrow is now pointing towards your destination.
Note: For general use a line can be marked on the dial between 20˚ (easily remembered and sufficiently accurate for most purposes) and the pivot to make it easier to keep the needle in the right position. On some of the Silva range you can set an adjustable indicator line to the variation.
Compass-speak:
Magnetic North vs. True North
A compass points towards magnetic north, but this is not the same as true north. Sound confusing? Magnetic north is the direction the needle of the compass points to. This direction is based on the magnetic fields of the earth and is not the same as true north, which is the geographic north or toward the North Pole. In New Zealand magnetic north is actually around 23º east of true north (varies from one end of the country to the other). This is known as magnetic declination.
Global Magnetic Regions:
Because of the Earth’s curvature and variances in the Earth’s magnetic field, a compass designed for the northern hemisphere will ‘stick’ in the southern hemisphere, as it will basically be trying to point towards the ground.
The image shows the 5 magnetic zones the compass industry has defined. Depending where in the world you are any standard compass you purchase generally has its needle balanced only for that region. e.g: most compasses sold in New Zealand will only be most effective in New Zealand and Australia.