The Best Car Compass For 2024

Sarah Combs By, Sarah Combs
Updated
Best Car Compass
Best Car Compass

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: SUUNTO Clipper L/B NH Compass

The liquid-filled jewel-bearing compass has luminescent markings so it's operable in low-light conditions. With its advanced engineering and thoughtful design, this ultra-durable compass is perfect for conquering any terrain. Read Review

2. Runner Up: MecArmy CMP Waterproof Titanium Grade Compass

This special compass is waterproof IPX5 and uses special encapsulation technology to protect against water, dust, and shocks. Made of TC4 titanium & brass, this high-sensitivity compass also features a fluorescence light to ensure you never get lost in the dark. Read Review

3. Best Economical: Sun Company Locking Design Aluminum Wrist Compass

This Japanese-made compass is highly luminous, liquid-filled and stays on course in low light conditions for up to six hours. It features a sleek, gunmetal-colored aluminum housing and includes a sturdy locking clasp for secure wear. Read Review

4. Best Efficient: Ritchie Navigation Explorer Flush Mount Compass

Featuring an easy-to-read 2 3/4 inch Direct Reading Dial and Internal Night Illumination, this compass provides the accuracy you need for a safe voyage. Plus, it's built with powerful Directive Force Magnets for fast heading lock-on and High-temperature composite construction for durability. Read Review

5. Budget Pick: Filfeel LED Lights Pivoting Digital Car Compass

Crafted from high-quality ABS plastic material, this durable and corrosion-resistant compass will be your reliable guide at all times. With a bright LED for easy reading both day and night, the adjustable mounting bracket and visible lubber line make it easy to mount on almost any flat surface with the included EVA foam sticker or screws. Read Review

When you want to explore a new city, or just find your way around, having a reliable car compass can be key. A decent car compass can help you keep your bearings when you’re on the road and make sure you don’t get lost. If you have an Android phone or tablet, then chances are good that you already have Google Maps built-in.

But what if you don’t? There are plenty of other great car compasses that you can use instead. These apps might not come with Google Maps directly built-in, but they will still give you all the information and features that you need in order to navigate. Read on to learn more about the best car compasses available right now...

Our team had to focus on researching and sifting through 17 hours to get such results for readers. These studies are based on customer star reviews and interviews about their feelings when using the product. As result, We believe the best car compass is SUUNTO Clipper L/B NH Compass. It is compact, easy to use with excellent accuracy. If you're looking for additional options and more in-depth advice, you may check out the following buying guide & FAQs, particularly MecArmy CMP Waterproof Titanium Grade Compass.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 SUUNTO Clipper L/B NH Compass
Our Score:
9.8
SUUNTO

Micro Compass: This super compact compass easily attaches to your sleeve, watch strap, backpack strap, or map edge so you can free up your hands; It's also great for underwater navigation

Balanced For Northern Hemisphere: This liquid filled jewel bearing compass has luminescent markings so it's operable in low light; The direction is on a rotating bezel in 10 degree increments

Authentic Heritage: Founded in 1936, Suunto brings over 80 years of high quality heritage craftsmanship, relentless accuracy, and pioneering innovation to our watches, compasses, and dive products

Stay On Course: Made in Finland, Suunto mechanical compasses help you safely and accurately navigate the great outdoors; Great for Alpine skiing, hiking, trekking, mountain biking, trail running and more

Pioneering Exploration: Combining advanced engineering and thoughtful design with ultra durable materials, our adventure ready compasses are fast, stable, and simple to use; No batteries required

TOP Choice #2 MecArmy CMP Waterproof Titanium Grade Compass
Our Score:
9.6
MecArmy

PROFESSIONAL GRADE COMPASSES: Our MecArmy compass performs flawlessly in temperatures ranging from -10° F to 120° F; Waterproof IPX5; Ideal for camping, military usage, emergencies, and anywhere the beaten track takes you, with the professional compass survival is more likely.

FLUORESCENCE: The compass’ interface glows in the dark( please put it under light or sunshine 1~3 mins), so even when night falls, you can read at any time, max runtime up to 1 hours.

MULTI USE: Hand held compass can be used as a hiking compass, camping compass, backpacking compass, hunting compass, youth scout compass, boat compass and orienteering compass. Right direction.

HIGH SENSITIVITY: The exquisite portable compass is made of available in either TC4 titanium & brass, uses special encapsulation technology to improve the sensitivity and precision. This brass compass is the top quality pocket compass on the market, it performs flawlessly in extreme temperatures.

POCKET COMPASS: Small size but accurate, this compass hiking sizes is 1.08'' x 0.886'' x 0.34'', Weight is 0.32oz. Use tips: Using the compass alone is more accurate. (When using the compass, remove it from the keychain and keep it away from magnetic devices, such as mobile phones, keychains, flashlights, etc., which will affect the compass's magnetism and may cause the compass inaccurate.)

TOP Choice #3 Sun Company Locking Design Aluminum Wrist Compass
Our Score:
9.5
Sun Company

FITS MOST WATCH BANDS - WristLock fits snugly on most standard sized watch bands (up to 23mm wide) and can also be attached to paracord bracelets. Make the WristLock the newest addition to your gear!

LOCKING CLASP - WristLock includes a sturdy locking clasp. Simply unlock the clasp, slide it onto the watch band and lock into place. There's no need to take your watch off to put the compass on!

HIGHLY LUMINOUS, LIQUID-FILLED COMPASS - Japanese-made 22mm luminous compass helps you with staying on course in low-light conditions. Stays luminous for up to six hours. Perfect for all outdoor activities, such as hiking, hunting, camping and backpacking.

PERFECT BACK-UP MAP COMPASS - Use WristLock as a back up to your primary compass to ensure you are headed in the right direction. For any type of travel, the WristLock has your back.

SLEEK DESIGN - WristLock features a stylish, gunmetal colored aluminum housing. The perfect accessory for any watch that can put some shine to your survival gear!

4 Ritchie Navigation Explorer Flush Mount Compass
Our Score:
9.3
Ritchie Navigation

Powerful Directive Force Magnets for fast heading lock-on

Internal Green Night Illumination; Built-in compensators to easily adjust for deviation

Comes standard with 12 volt lighting; Movable sun shield

High temperature composite construction for extended operating range

Easily Installed; Fits 3.75 inch (9.53 cm) Mounting hole

Scientifically matched sapphire jewel & hardened steel pivot Dial movement

Compass features 2 3/4 inch easy to read Direct Reading Dial

5-Year Ritchie Warranty

Pivoting compass for car and boat

Made of high quality ABS plastic material, which is durable, corrosion resistant and environmental friendly

Mounts easily to almost any flat surface with included EVA foam sticker or screws

Dial is with bright LED for easy reading day or night

Adjustable mounting bracket and visible lubber line for easy direction reading

6 Ritchie Navigation X-10-M Esri Brkt Compass
Our Score:
9.0
Ritchie Navigation

This product is manufactured in China

Easy-to-install

Direct-reading Dial

7 Ritchie Navigation V-57.2 Explorer Compass
Our Score:
8.9
Ritchie Navigation

Exclusive built-in green NiteVu lighting

Scientifically matched Sapphire Jewel and Hardened Steel Pivot dial movement

2-3/4" Direct-Read dial

Built-in compensators to easily adjust for deviation

Bezels Styled to Match Popular Gauge Packages

8 Ritchie Navigation Supersport Compass SS-1002
Our Score:
8.7
Ritchie Navigation

Built-in Compensators to Easily Adjust for Deviation

9 Ritchie SS-2000 SuperSport Compass
Our Score:
7.6
E.S. Ritchie

Internal Gimbal Systems for Maximum Stability During Adverse Pitch and Roll Conditions

12V Green LED lighting standard

Built-in Compensators to Easily Adjust for Deviation

Easily Installed, Fits 4.75" (12.06cm) to 5.125" (13.02cm) Mounting Hole

4-1/2" PowerDamp Plus, High-Visibility Blue Dial with Extra Large White Numerals

10 Ritchie Flush Mount Compass
Our Score:
7.7
Ritchie

Read Front

What to Look For in a best car compass?

When selecting a suitable best car compass, a variety of factors have been found. Information sources are available in a wide range of forms.  As a basis, we are doing it to support, inform, and solve your demands.

Please keep these things in mind before selecting the best car compass:

Stability And Speed

It is better if the needle points north faster. You can be slower with older compasses. You might argue that speed does not matter when you're hiking or mountaineering, as you don't have to rush like orienteering race participants. You will want to get down as quickly as you can if it is bad.

Features

For hiking, the compass should include a declination and rotating scales, as well as a plate that has a ruler. The declination scale allows you to make adjustments to declination for specific areas, so the compass points towards magnetic north. While the rotating bezel lets you measure azimuth easily. When measuring distances on a map, a ruler is useful.

Global Needle

Some compasses can't be used everywhere in the world. A compass that has a global needle is required if you plan to use your compass in any part of the world. It is usually indicated by the last 'G' in the description.
Compasses are sometimes only balanced in one of the two hemispheres for compasses which aren't global.

Clinometer

The clinometer is usually found with an advanced compass and used to determine the slope angle (or rockbed for those geologists). A clinometer is a free-moving arrow that moves freely within a liquid capsule below the magnetized needle.
The feature was designed for mountaineers or backcountry skiers, and is used to assess avalanche dangers. This feature is unlikely to be used if you are hiking on maintained trails. This feature is essential for all students of geology.

Quality

Although there are many affordable options for compasses, it is important to be able to rely on your instrument to get you where you need. It's not a question of safety, but it is a matter for life and death to have dependable and reliable compass.

Durability

Because it is possible for your compass to get knocked around in your pack or land on the ground, a hiking compass must be strong. It happens more frequently than you might imagine, particularly since you'll likely be using a map while hiking. The risk of it being dropped increases when you add a little wind resistance and gloves. We only selected durable items in this list.

FAQs

How do I use a car compass?

To use a car compass, first make sure the compass is properly mounted in your vehicle. Once the compass is mounted, you can face the needle north and adjust it to your desired direction. Then, use the compass to help you stay on the right path and get to your destination.

What do the numbers on a car compass mean?

The numbers on a car compass indicate the degree of direction from north. For example, if the needle is pointing to “N” (north), then the number will be 0. If the needle is pointing to “E” (east), then the number will be 90.

How accurate is a car compass?

Generally, a car compass is accurate within a few degrees. However, the accuracy can be affected by nearby magnetic fields such as power lines, metal objects, and other vehicles. Make sure to check your compass regularly to ensure it is calibrated correctly.

How do I calibrate a car compass?

To calibrate a car compass, you will need to drive in a figure eight pattern. Make sure you drive in at least three circles before you stop and check the needle’s accuracy. If it is off, you can adjust the needle until it points north.

With new information arriving, our editor will usually update the best car compass frequently. Please constantly check our site for the most up-to-date material.

We will try our best to help you with more best car compass. You are supposed to be free to ask for assistance with your problems.


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About Sarah Combs

Sarah Combs
Sarah Combs is a visual editor who loves to travel and hike. She enjoys taking photographs of her journeys, which help her to remember the beautiful places she's been to. Sarah is grateful for the opportunities that she has had to see the world and looks forward to continuing to explore new places in the future. Sarah is the editor of CampfireHQ since 2021 and has written on a variety of topics, from camping, and hiking to other outdoor guides.

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