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It is easy to sight a bearing, but more importantly, the magnetic declination can be preset. This is the ideal amateur field surveyor compass.
Haven't yet used this product yet but the quality is terrific and I'm looking forward to learning how to use a compass and being more self sufficient.and not getting lost.
Anyway, since this compass doesn't use a traditional needle, bubbles present no functional problem.One more remark has to do with value. I don't know of any other compass that gives you all of that in a self contained package.Prospective buyers might be interested to know that my son was a high speed US Special Forces guy, by necessity an expert in land-navigation. There were also complaints about some petty things; things that should NOT justify a 1-star rating - more later.This compass is intelligently designed and innovative. It is also full featured. When originally introduced - at a retail price of about $80.00 - the Eclipse 8099 was pretty pricey. A separate magnifying lens (larger than on many other base-plate map compasses) allows you to check out map details more easily.
First off, I wouldn't take any of the 1-Star reviews for this compass seriously. The Eclipse 8099 has a 1-degree graduated dial, marked for both forward and reverse sighting. There is a tangent conversion table (Card 8). If it didn't work out for him, he apparently was not using the mirror sighting lens correctly."It's hard to open the case completely" - The protective rubber shoe should be thumbed off first, which is easy enough. As I said above, I tested the fellow's theory and the compass checked out fine. It has a magnifying lens over the graduations that allows for easy reading. One of the "1 star reviewers" proposed a test supposedly proving that the circle on circle eclipse system doesn't work. I tried it and have no idea what his point is, as everything checked out fine for me.
Set them out in the sunshine on a hot summer day and the bubble goes away (or at least shrinks to near nothing). He is very familiar with use of the classic USMC Cammenga Lensatic compass and he says he'd much rather use my 8099. There are map and roamer scales (Card #6) Cards 9-11 even provide some basic survival and first aid reminders. If the opening the case completely is still too hard for you at that point, you are probably too delicate to risk being outdoors anyway and might do better to just stay home."It got a bubble" - Maybe there are compasses out there that will never get a bubble but having used several brands and models, I don't know of any. There is a magnetic declination adjustment, of course, and a clinometer for measuring heights and slopes.
Cold temperatures do that to compasses because the damping fluid within the capsule contracts. But at the current pricing - about $30.00 less - the Eclipse 8099 offers what I consider to be very good value. I confess - my 8099 compass developed a bubble when I took it out on an early winter camping trip a few years ago. Other "1-star" reviewers complained of stuff that is easily resolved if you take a little time getting familiar with the 8099. Now for some of the complaints that supposedly get this item a 1-star rating:"The circle over circle alignment system doesn't really work" - This is bogus nonsense or - if you prefer - BS.
Contained within the boot are a set of quick reference cards that thoroughly explain how to use all of the map, compass and clinometer techniques. The hard plastic casing and rubber boot offer superb protection for the the compass dial and transparent base-plate, which has all of the most commonly needed map scales. The rubber boot serves also as an eraser for pencil lines on your map.
Before purchasing this unit, I recommend you personally handle it somewhere, including adjusting the declination, and opening the case/closing the case, etc. I read the negative reviews but thought I knew better LOL. My judgment is to look elsewhere. to give it a real-world try. Negatives: Adjusting magnetic declination is very difficult, you wonder if you will break the compass; The design of the rubberized case *looks good* until you have to open the compass, I don't know what they were thinking, it makes it very hard to use (perhaps others don't use the case). Bottom line: I had high hopes for this unit, but it just sits in my "backup" box in case my every day compass gets lost/damaged.
Thanks. I have loaded it and used it. Very happy with my purchase. I received my adobe software from Store_usa in a timely manner. It is in wonderful condition.
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