Getting your bearings underwater is not as easy as it is on land where you can pick out a mountain or other landmark in the distance. Perhaps there is bad visibility or you’re in blue water with no reference points. You might find yourself in a swift current or washing machine like conditions on a dive. These are all times when a compass would be a big help, if not essential. A good reliable compass with give you some piece of mind and aid substantially in keeping you safe.
Here I will discuss the important features to look for in a compass and review and compare ten models. After that is a short video lesson in how to use one.
List of the Best Dive Compasses
- Suunto SK8
- Sherwood Wisdom
- Scubapro FS-2
- XS Scuba Retractable Super Tilt
- XS Scuba Highland
- Oceanic Aeris Wrist Mount
- Tusa Platina SCA-160
- Scuba Choice Compass
- Oceanic SWIV Compass Module
- Sherwood Genesis Compass and Accessories
How to Choose the Best Dive Compass
Digital or Analog – A digital compass is usually an integrated part of a dive computer. Whenever you use the battery for the first time, such as right after purchase or when changing the battery, the compass will need to be calibrated. A digital compass is easy to read, but not as accurate or reliable and an analog model. An analog model is a standard conventional stand alone compass that is accurate and reliable, requires no battery, and can be mounted anywhere on your equipment.
Tilt Tolerance – This refers to how far off a zero degree plane you can tilt the compass before the needle gets stuck. The bigger the tolerance, the better. Unfortunately high tilt tolerance compasses will tend to be thicker and heavier, but in my opinion that is no big inconvenience
Size – Most compasses are approximately the same size. What is important is that it is easy to see and read particularly in low visibility or dark conditions. A bigger one will be easier to see and the better choice, though perhaps heavier.
Mounting Options
- Wrist – The compass can be mounted in a housing you can strap to your wrist like a watch. Some divers would feel uncomfortable with a computer and a compass on the same wrist and will put the compass on one and the computer on the other.
- Console – It can be included in a boot along with the SPG and computer or depth gauge so that all three are in one handy place easily observed. Some divers will feel this is heavy or unwieldy.
- Retractable – The compass can be mounted by attaching a clip to a D-ring. When you want to use the compass it can be pulled out and when you are finished it will retract back to the storage position. These will tend to be a little more expensive.
The Best Dive Compasses
- Many features, auto retractable, favored by professionals
- Pros: quickly stabilizes, gun sight navigation, can tilt to a 30 degree angle, firm grip bezel, auto-retractable
- Cons: expensive
- Rating: 4.8
- Price: $$$$
- Add on for a Wisdom Dive Computer
- Pros: highly luminous and easily visible, super tilt can be seen from the top or at a 30 degree angle, 360 degree rotating bezel
- Cons: add on that doesn’t mount independent of the computer
- Rating: 4.5
- Price: $$
- Floating magnet separated from the compass creates a better viewing angle and permits use in the northern and southern hemispheres – a good travel model
- Pros: durable, scratch resistant, tilts to a 35 degree angle, firm grip bezel, extra luminous
- Cons: a bit expensive
- Rating: 5
- Price: $$$
XS Scuba Retractable Super Tilt 
- 25 inch reach with coated stainless steel cord, durable rubber boot and hose mount
- Pros: easy to read in low light or at night, reliable, durable, retractable
- Cons: more accurate when extended than when not extended
- Rating: 5
- Price: $$
- 30 inches of 4 mm of bungee cord, double bungee strap conveniently secures compass where you want it
- Pros: large ratcheting bezel, top and side reading, illuminated faceplate at night
- Cons: works only in the northern hemisphere
- Rating: 5
- Price: $$
- Use on your wrist or add to a console (works best in an Oceanic SWIV console)
- Pros: large ratcheting bezel, luminescent floating card enables fast and long lasting glow, high visibility lubber line, easy top or side reading
- Cons: let me know what you think
- Rating: 5
- Price: $$
- Liquid filled wrist mounted, Lumi-Nova light storage dials
- Pros: gun sight accurate navigation, top and side reading, liquid filled works in northern and southern hemispheres, bright in the dark
- Cons: let me know what you find
- Rating: 4.7
- Price: $$
- Retractable, 31.5 inches extended, retracts to 7 inches
- Pros: glows in the dark, large clear faceplate, easy to read, conveniently clips anywhere, affordable
- Cons: limited side reading capability, some say it has a plastic, cheap feel to it
- Rating: 4.1
- Price: $
- Fits a variety of SWIV consoles
- Pros: top and side reading, luminescent floating card enables fast and long lasting glow, smooth movement with quick response, high visibility lubber line
- Cons: may not function properly around the metal in some computer batteries
- Rating: 4.8
- Price: $$
Sherwood Genesis Compass and Accessories
- Retractable, built-in mount, professional quality
- Pros: highly durable, easily attachable, two different mounting clips, easy to read, excellent tilt range, top and side reading, ratchet bezel, liquid filled, luminescent dial, comes with rubber boot
- Cons: a little expensive
- Rating: 5
- Price: $$$
| Picture | Compass | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
  | Suunto SK8 | 4.8 | $$$$ |
  | Sherwood Wisdom | 4.5 | $$ |
  | Scubapro FS-2 | 5 | $$$ |
  | XS Scuba Retractable Super Tilt | 5 | $$ |
  | XS Scuba Highland | 5 | $$ |
  | Oceanic Aeris Wrist Mount | 5 | $$ |
  | Tusa Platina SCA-160 | 4.7 | $$ |
  | Scuba Choice Compass | 4.1 | $ |
  | Oceanic SWIV Compass Module | 4.8 | $$ |
  | Sherwood Genesis Compass and Accessories | 5 | $$$ |
I hope you found this post on compasses interesting and useful. If you have any questions or ideas, please feel free to share them in the comments section. If there is no comments section directly below, click here: >>comments<<
