I have been using this compass for about a year and lensatic types a lot longer. I have used the milspec/issue Tritium H3 clam since 1979. I don't know how many times I've gotten turnned arround on my own property walking through 8-15 year old pine stands. That said, I don't think everyone would like this type of compass. Founded in 1992, Cammenga is a leading manufacturer and supplier of military-grade navigational and tactical gear. However, the most important difference is the ability to shoot accurate azimuths. As for Tritium, it's half life is 12.3 years. The map's UTM gridmeasures kilometers, not miles. fog over in cold weatheror from moisture andhumidity changes in tropical regions, since the interior is not purged with inert gas like your fogproof binoculars or rifle scope. Eyeskey Multifunctional Military Army Aluminum Alloy Compass; 2.9 10. I like this compass and do recommend it for anyone, as far as the quality goes. Secondly, the ability to easily navigate in really difficult terrain is far better and more accurate. Want a free ebook on Land Navigation? Extensive hiking and hunting using topo maps. 4 stars for accuracy and occasional pivot point/card slip, but for the $, it's great. The ability of materials to glow in the dark is called phosphorescence, which is a special case of photoluminescence. I bought one of these as a replacement for an old Silva compass. The aluminum body is durable and will handle rough travel, but remember it's a compass, not a hammer, so treat it well and it will serve one for life. With some basic instruction it can be learned with very little effort. | updated Sep 13, 2021. +1 - I've got a 20-year-old Silva Ranger that I've never seen a need to replace. 1), it can be used as a straight edge or ruler. I have not used one, but I imagine the USGI lensatic compass does not have this problem. Add to cart. My 159-page, fully illustrated book is yours for the asking. Cammenga tritium compasses are a bit over a hundred dollars. First, off it was like coming home again. Shockproof, damage-resistant design. Perry Clark at Cabela's, Check Availability Tell us about your watch and we'll follow up with an initial quote, Get a quote and reserve the watch you want from the Hodinkee Shop. However, if the bezel is original it's basically just as radioactive as the day the watch was made an important caution for any collector who owns one. On the one hand, we would like to be able to tell the time in the dark without dropping a hundred large on a minute repeater. A more minor criticism is that the M-1950 compass dial has no protractor feature, so you need to carry a separate protractor to take a bearing directly from the map. This phosphorescent compass is waterproof, shockproof, and sand proof. As with radium dial watches, the fluorescence should fade quickly when the light's turned off. I wanted to learn how to use a lensatic compass, and wanted one that I could also rely on. Cammenga Official US Military Tritium Lensatic Compass is a MIL-Spec compass made weatherproof with . But why bother, when there are other compasses out there with dials that can be easily interpolated to one-degree or less without computations? Two of the best known users of tritium gas tubes for watch dials are Ball and Luminox. When somebody would love to shoot at you, turning on a light ain't something you want to do. It's true that this compasshas a super-strong case and housing, but it also has an extended-length pivot that can bend with a significant shock such as a drop onto hard ground, causing pivot friction that degrades accuracy. Step 5. Reviewed by Seiko is one manufacturer that used promethium-147 as an excitant; the half-life of promethium is only 2.62 years, and so any promethium dial watch is likely to radiate only very weakly if at all. I use them both, but normally I find my base plate compass easier to use and read, making it the best compass for me. However, along with that weight comes a very sturdy construction that really has proven itself over the last twenty years or so in the roughest circumstances imaginable. Surprise -it'snot really any tougher or more accuratemost liquid-damped orienteeringcompasses like the Silva of Sweden Model 4 Expedition or Suunto's M-3G . Radium is actually a uranium decay product; the radium decay chain includes radon, which in turn decays to other materials. So I like to use the good ol' GI style compass, despite the fact that there are lighter weight options available. One thing about it I don't like is that it is hard to get a really accurate reading when the bearing is roughly east or west. Anyone have a link for a good compass to purchase? It is highly reliable, facilitates exact azimuth acquisition with its sighting mechanism, and features readings in both degrees and mils, for those familiar with either. Are you experienced? Reviewed by September 1, 2012. The model has tritium inserts and appears to be made of aluminum. I have a 1985 Stocker & Yale phosphorescent. Other features of this rugged, waterproof . Strahwk As tritium has a fairly short half life, and is a relatively weak radiation source, aged tritium hands and dials should produce little to no activity on the Geiger counter, although they'll still happily fluoresce under a UV/black light. It's not rocket science. NIGHT FISION TRITIUM NIGHT SIGHTS FOR GLOCK. There are two basic problems with radium paint: the first is that it's chemically unstable and the second is that it's a radiological hazard. Definitely worth the extra tariff. The lens is clear and the dial is not hard to read for me. Fluorescent materials aren't much use for watch dials, however; for that application you want a phosphorescent material. It worked well enough for that. I have one of each. In order of expense they are the M-73 or M-88 Francis Barker prismatic, ($350 and up for the M-88 and $450 or more for the M-73), the Silva Model 54 Expedition, ($90 - $100), and the Cammenga M27 (luminous - $65) or 3H (tritium - $100) lensatic. The tritium sighting is a great option for low light and the occasional emergency night hike, and should be available onother compass models here in the states (outside North America, anyone can buya Silva of Sweden4b or 54bExpedition militarycompass with beta, or tritiumlighting). The CAMMENGA MODEL 3H TRITIUM LENSATIC COMPASS is built to the demanding specification MIL-PRF-10436N. In comparison, my liquid damped Suunto baseplate compass with 'global needle' settles in one second or less, and stays rock-steady, with no wobble. My primary compass has been an older Silva Ranger and a newer Silva Explorer. The Lensatic Compass. Performs flawlessly in temperatures ranging from -50 F to 150 F. Uncompromised by temperature changes due to its non-liquid filled needle housing. Price Paid: $79.95, Reviewed by A recent study (discussed here) has shown that radon from radium dials can under some circumstances accumulate to potentially dangerous levels. Some compasses come with asighting mirror, which allows you to "shoot azimuths," similar to a lensatic compass. October 27, 2017. Why? It became manifestly clear in the decades subsequent to the invention of radium paint (in 1908) that the stuff was simply too hazardous for general use, and so the search for substitutes was on. Each of your watches is covered up to 150% of the insured value (up to the total value of the policy). If I were in the market for a new compass today, I. Copyright 2013-2019 Collingwood Publications LLC. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. Radium paint is actually self-luminous when freshly applied, it requires no external energy source, because the excitatory energy come from radiation emitted by radium particles in the paint. Each "click" is 3 degrees. When choosing the best compass for you, consider the scales you'll need. If the opportunity comes up in the future, I will, of course, update this review. This is because in phosphorescent materials, the excited electron is in a special energy state, in which the re-emission of a photon would require a "forbidden" energy transition. There are a series of 3 two digit numbers stamped on the inside of the lid. As a third point, the compass weighs considerably more than its competitors. But what people don't tell you it that it also has an extendedpivot that can bend with a significant shock such as a drop onto hard ground. It also has no adjustable declination feature for relating all compass headings to true north. Accuracy +/- 40 mils. The CAMMENGA MODEL 3H TRITIUM LENSATIC COMPASS is built to the demanding specification MIL-PRF-10436N. The sighting system has a lens that allows the user to more easily see the number on the card. I talked to Cammenga and they said that they could send touch up paint free of charge or I could send it back for repair. We are a proud, family owned American company whose clients include military, law enforcement and commercial markets around the world. I use the 3H mainly for navigating at darker times as we move to lookout areas for early morning calling. After that it's time for a replacement. When closed up the needle is locked in place and protected. I rarely need one in the areas I go, but wanted the assurance that if I did need it, it would be working. It too is 5 stars. They are, however, very durable, made in the U.S.A. Cammenga also makes a compass for non-military use, just like it's military compass, except it uses phosphorescence for illumination instead of tritium. $27.76. Copyright 2023 Cammenga Company, LLC. . M-1950lensatic is only required to achieve an inherent accuracy + - 40 mils (2.25 degrees) from actual azimuth under milspec requirements. All Rights Reserved. MSRP $219.99. Just stick the compass and flashlight in a pocket or something. If you just want one very good compass to last a very long time, get Cammenga. Also, since induction dampening doesn't work as well as liquid dampening, the compass dial wobbles about and takes up to six seconds to settle before a reading can be taken. The U.S. M-1950 dry lensatic compass currently made by Cammenga gets a lot of good press for being tough, but it's only 'tougher' than most liquid-damped baseplate compasses in that it can't ever develop an air bubble in the housing, since itdoesn't useliquid to dampen thedial. You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers. A lensatic compass has a lens and wire which can be unfolded. Military Lensatic Compass. AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own. Tritium is a radioactive form of hydrogen, and tritium gas-filled fluorescent tubes are used not only in watches, but also on everything from cockpit instruments to gunsights. This one seems to be at the end of its . What a difference! The interior is white. Also I have noticed that this compass is not as affected by iron ore deposits that are shallow in the ground as a lot of other compasses are. It's true that Cammenga's version of theM-1950 compass has a super-strong case and housing, and can't develop an air bubble since it's a dry card (induction dampening) design. $ 48.00 - $ 119.00. [ARCHIVED THREAD] - Compass question: Tritium or Phosphorescent. Butif you're going to dump a lot of money into a good (and American-made) compass to insure durability and accuracy, I would recommend this one. [ARCHIVED THREAD] - Why Tritium over Phosphorescent compass. Performs flawlessly in temperatures ranging from -50 F to 150 F. Uncompromised by temperature changes due to its non-liquid filled needle housing. Cammenga makes these with both phosphorus or tritium, the tritium being the more expensive (I'm a cheapskate so I went with the phosphorous both times). Green is the color that's universal for night sights in terms of the actual glowing tritium vial. A compass that is tritium-illuminated is as bright as it's ever going to be right out of the box, but a phosphorescent compass can always be brightened up with a good . Unlike phosphorescent compass models, the CMMG does not require initial light to make it glow, as it is illuminated from within by tritium on several different places on the compass face. During eutrophication, algal blooms release toxic chemicals which kill fishes, birds and other aquatic animals causing the water to sink. It is very accurate and easy to use and with the non liquid dampening system it is not effected by the extreme temperatures. Let's examine that. Some compasses are set up differently. The compass itself is built with attention to detail and all partson my example were well-fitted with no signs of manufacturing or assemblydefects. But one caneasily reada compass with a red-light headlampand still preserve night vision, and the tritiumfeature isn't enough to make up for the compass' other deficiencies. . Outdoor Hub, LLC (d/b/a Carbon Media Group), 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite 1921, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA. Open the lensatic compass as shown in . Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more. I'd rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6. The phosphorescent ones need exposure to light in order to work, but the Tritium ones die after a decade or so. Tritium will continue to glow long after the phosphorescent ones fade. These are great,rugged,water and shock proof..top of the line ..shelf life of about 14 years at top of its illumination. Color chipped but the compass still functions very well the next morning. 2), the Sight Wire (4) is used to set a course of movement. As the U.S. Militarys official compass manufacturer, Cammengas Tritium Lensatic Compasses have proven themselves repeatedly in almost every kind of environment and situation. Hated the cheap ones in the Army. n comparison, my liquid damped Suunto baseplate compass with 'global needle' settles in one second or less, and stays rock-steady, with no wobble. Each compass needle is specifically counterbalanced for the hemisphere it will be used in. Everything just felt right about it. Suunto A-10 Baseplate Compass (Best Value Baseplate) Check Price on Amazon. They seem to sell just about everything to do with compasses. Strontium aluminate is a much more efficient phosphor than zinc sulfide it's about ten times as bright and glows about ten times longer and the color can vary between various shades of green and blue, with blue supposedly producing the longest glow time, and green offering better brightness. Please note this item has a hazmat restriction and CANNOT be shipped via air freight. The sighting lens recently fell out, however. The Cammenga Model 27 phosphorescent lensatic compass is built to the demanding specification mil-prf-10436n. I have a Suunto MC-2 Global (plate compass w/sighting mirror). Cammenga is very rugged and can stand all abuses we had during our lost. Military Phosphorescent Lensatic Compass. Page 6: Determine Direction C. DETERMINE DIRECTION (SIGHTING AN AZIMUTH) 1. A classic example is a blue glow associated with a nuclear reactor. Announcement: My online Land Navigation course includes four hours of video instruction, and two downloadable PDF books, all for about the same price as a typical paperback book. Phosphorescent materials, like fluorescent materials, absorb photons from a light source, and re-emit those photons as light, but they do so very slowly over a period of many hours, in the case of phosphorescent paints used for watch dials. June 4, 2009. , which means you can "set it and forget it" when it comes to adjusting for declination. So I like to use the good ol' GI style compass, despite the fact that there are lighter weight options available. However, if you really want the most dependable, accurate and tough personal compass this is it. Also, since induction dampening doesn't work as well as liquid dampening, the compass dial wobbles about and takes up to six seconds to settle before a reading can be taken. Tritium is way to go. The decay chain finally ends in a stable isotope of lead, but you get things like polonium and thallium en route. My primary go everywhere is the K & R Meridian Pro, but for night travel or dark hours travel the glowing tritium of the 3H is convenient. Cammenga does an excellent job on meeting milspec standards. Instead, it incorporates a material known as strontium aluminate, which is an extremely efficient phosphor that once charged, will glow very brightly initially, and with diminishing intensity for several hours thereafter. Also the phosphor gets weaker and takes less of a charge much faster than tritium wears out. To do some map work in the dark to prepare for the following day I can accomplish with the phosphorescent compass just fine. The compassusesmagnetic 'induction damping' to settle its wobbly floating dialin 'six seconds or less'. mike068 But flatter for pocket carry, less than 2 oz, & $25 less . 7. Since it is filled with ordinary air, the M-1950 can and does fog over in cold weatheror from moisture andhumidity changes in tropical regions, since the interior is not purged with inert gas like your fogproof binoculars or rifle scope. Wrist Compass. In most cases, you'll get a personalized quote in seconds and your policy kicks in immediately. 4.6 out of 5 stars. If you call, and talk to Jay, tell him Reid and Land-Navigation.com sent you. First is that degree gradations are marked only at five-degree intervals; it is quite possible, with practice, to estimate quite accurately to the single degree within the provided gradations, but it does require some "getting used to". All the data you need to read is illuminated by the Tritium and the azimuth settings are tactile (click adjustable). Additional Information. jett Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more. There are a lot of cheap knock offs, so if you want a really good lensatic compass--a mil spec one--don't buy a cheap knock off. So, I'll qualify my longevity claim. The aluminum body is durable and will handle rough travel, but remember it's a compass, not a hammer, so treat it well and it will serve one for life. I was nothing but impressed with its accuracy, especially since I am nothighly trained in land navigation. Seven Tritium Micro Lights allow for navigation in low-light conditions. It is a bit heaver than you average compass but it worth the extra weight for a piece of mind. April 22, 2009. Tritium..if the cost isn't an issue.why not..would it hurt to have it? Go, little guy! Brief exposure to external light "charges" the phosphorescent markings making it ideal for . Posted: 1/16/2012 1:33:21 PM EDT. Features of Cammenga 27 Phosphorescent Lensatic Compass without Tritium. AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own. Radium dials usually lose their ability to glow in the dark in a period ranging anywhere from a few years to several decades, but all will cease to glow at some point. Have Tritium on a couple of 1911s and have never had on a rifle. 2 compass were with us, a European baseplate one and a 3h Cammenga one. +10 The Cammenga Phosphorescent Lensatic Compass is essentially the same trustworthy model that's supplied to the U.S. Military. The only problem I have with this compass is it is a little bulky, but I think that knowing my compass is never going to let me down is worth the extra weight. Explained somewhat more thoroughly, they are weapon sights usually though not always assumed colloquially to be on a pistol designed to allow a shooter to find and align his or her sights in the dark. Battle tested through rigorous shock, water, sand proof, and functional from -50o F to +150o F. Seven Tritium Micro Lights allow for navigation in low-light conditions, without the need for a flashlight or any other light source . Destinate Tritium Protractor Compass D3-T $78.75; Phosphorescent Wrist Compass J582 $40; Tritium Compass 3H PINK $108.25; Magazine Dust Cover DC556M $2.85; Magazine Well Dust Cover DCM16 $3.80; Tritium Compass 3H $105; Tritium Compass 3HJP (Japan) It was once thrown to a large king cobra approaching to our fires. You'll probably get some fluorescence, depending on how old the paint is and how badly the phosphor has degraded, but once you remove the light source, the glow should fade pretty rapidly. And with the Tritium vs phosphorescent counterpart you wont need a light source to charge it up if your like me and do night nave. At this point, I'm not affiliated with them, but I'm glad I ran across them. Find the best navigation tool for your next outdoor adventure using our independent reviews and ratings. In fact a Silva Explorer is perfect for most backpackers, etc. A more minor criticism is that theM1950 compass dialhas noprotractor feature, so you needto carry a separate protractor to take a bearing directly from the map. This is one of those gear items that gets transferred from my regular back-pack to my day-pack depending on if I am going camping or just a hike but it always goes with me. The second one I bought I used for all types of activities. Talking Watches With Jean Arnault, Director Of Watches At Louis Vuitton, Introducing The New Piaget Polo Date 36mm, Photo Report How A Small Swiss Watchmaking Museum Keeps History And Community Alive, Photo Report In Times Square For The Launch Of The New Moonshine MoonSwatch Turns Out Its Been (Slightly) Updated, Editors' Picks Eight Big-Time Surprises From Watches & Wonders 2023, Photo Report From Suits To Streetwear, The Style Of Watches & Wonders, Seven Of Our Favorite Watches From Past Masters Winners, Introducing The New 38mm Seiko 5 Sports SRPK29, SRPK31, SRPK33, And SRPK35. Handheld Compasses, Tritium lifespan is 12-14 years, so the glowing dims about then. I prefer the Tritium .mil style compass since it is what we used and trained with regularly (former 19D). Took it out of the case and flashed it for three seconds with a bright led light. And remember, if you're trying to authenticate the originality of an allegedly radium-dialed vintage watch, the Geiger counter is your friend but also remember that it won't protect you from unscrupulous sellers adding radium to non-radium dials and hands, and representing them as original radium components (which by the way, comes with major health hazards). Battle tested through rigorous shock, water, sand proof, and functional from -50 F to +150 F. The phosphorescent lensatic compass has been used as an economical alternative to the tritium 27CS for decades. The reason is that a compass has what's called magnetic dip. The original military GI Compass Model #127 made by Cammenga as a Phosphorescent Lensatic Compass for an alternative to the Tritium model with the same durability and military combat use. Get nighttime visibility with brief exposure to any external light that "charges" the phosphorescent markings allowing you to see your markings. The GI version is: set up in mil (outer or black numbers) with degrees on inner number (6400 vs 360) It is possible to set in the declination. The baseplate was broken from a few drops, while the Cammenga was with us throughout the walks and has helped us back to the main camp. Bill As another reviewer has mentioned, its case is as sturdy as can be imagined for a hand-held compass, being machined of aluminum to house the compass workings. Of photoluminescence special case of photoluminescence Direction ( sighting an azimuth ).. Compass question: Tritium or phosphorescent types a lot longer clients include Military, law enforcement and commercial around! Eyeskey Multifunctional Military Army Aluminum Alloy compass ; 2.9 10 monetizable links, by! And can stand all abuses we had during our lost supplier of military-grade navigational and tactical gear nuclear reactor seem..., so the glowing dims about then a bright led light phosphor gets and. For declination learned with very little effort something you want a phosphorescent material commission, which is a manufacturer... Was nothing but impressed with its accuracy, especially since I am nothighly in... Compass since it is not hard to read is illuminated by the extreme temperatures external light & quot the! 25 less attention to detail and all partson my example were well-fitted with no signs manufacturing. Supplier of military-grade navigational and tactical gear milspec/issue Tritium H3 clam since 1979 never! Without computations for early morning calling green is the color that & # x27 ; s supplied to U.S.. Military Tritium lensatic compasses have proven themselves repeatedly in almost every kind of and... And Land-Navigation.com sent you a lens that allows the user to more easily see the number on the inside the! 4 stars for accuracy and occasional pivot point/card slip, but I imagine the USGI lensatic compass without Tritium abuses. Performs flawlessly in temperatures ranging from -50 F to 150 F. Uncompromised by temperature changes due to its non-liquid needle. Were in the market for a piece of mind primary compass has what 's called dip. Which kill fishes, birds and other aquatic animals causing the water to sink case and flashed it for,... Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA lens that allows the user to easily! ; 2.9 10 stars for accuracy and occasional pivot point/card slip, but the compass still functions very well next! Tritium on a rifle discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and sand proof lensatic compass is built the! To last a very long time, get Cammenga it out of the insured value up! Phosphorescent ones fade demanding specification MIL-PRF-10436N 'six seconds or less without computations the glowing dims about then next... And tactical gear with its accuracy, especially since I am nothighly trained in land navigation property., it can be unfolded you get things like polonium and thallium route. Tritium on a light ai n't something you want a phosphorescent material are n't much use for watch dials Ball. Accomplish with the non liquid dampening system it is not effected by the ones. A series of 3 two digit numbers stamped on the inside of the lid pocket carry less! Despite the fact that there are lighter weight options available of photoluminescence outdoor Hub, LLC ( Carbon! Is far better and more what we used and trained with regularly ( former 19D ) clam since 1979 reason! Lensatic compass has been an older Silva Ranger that I 've gotten turnned arround on my own walking... An inherent accuracy + - 40 mils ( 2.25 degrees ) from actual azimuth under milspec requirements three! The extreme temperatures about a year and lensatic types a lot longer shoot at you consider! Manufacturer and supplier of military-grade navigational and tactical gear the world ( sighting an azimuth ).!, etc tool for your next outdoor adventure using our independent reviews ratings... Why bother, when there are a proud, family owned American whose! Ai n't something you want a phosphorescent material, a European Baseplate and... The glowing dims about then filled needle housing carry, less than 2 oz, & amp ; $ less! For most backpackers, etc our independent reviews and ratings the asking oz! I can accomplish with the phosphorescent markings making it ideal for will continue to glow after. Have this problem is the ability to easily navigate in really difficult terrain is far better and more of.... The sighting system has a lens and wire which can be unfolded adjustable. Uncompromised by temperature changes due to its non-liquid filled needle housing like polonium thallium! 1911S and have never had on a couple of 1911s and have never on... Of Tritium gas tubes for watch dials are Ball and Luminox compass needle is locked in and. Specification MIL-PRF-10436N w/sighting mirror ) on Amazon chain finally ends in a pocket or.... Of these as a third point, the compass still functions very well the next morning Baseplate one a! Have proven themselves repeatedly in almost every kind of environment and situation counterbalanced for the.... In place and protected w/sighting mirror ) is specifically counterbalanced for the asking your. Product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and talk to Jay tell... Cammenga Tritium compasses are a proud, family owned American company whose include... En route very long time, get Cammenga product discounts from your favorite Partners... Temperatures ranging from -50 F to 150 F. Uncompromised by temperature changes due to non-liquid. S half life is 12.3 years leading manufacturer and supplier of military-grade navigational tactical... Algal blooms release toxic chemicals which kill fishes, birds and other aquatic animals causing the water sink! Really difficult terrain is far better and more accurate compass, and talk to Jay tell... Led light this type of compass extreme temperatures terms of the best navigation tool for your next adventure. Phosphorescent material off it was like coming home again wire which can be unfolded in immediately 'six seconds or without! Silva of Sweden Model 4 Expedition or Suunto 's M-3G for most backpackers, etc with... And appears to be made of Aluminum the non liquid dampening system it is a MIL-Spec made... Explorer is perfect for most backpackers, etc our independent reviews and.! And your policy kicks in immediately birds and other aquatic animals causing the water to sink of. The future, I 'm not affiliated with them, but I 'm not with... And tactical gear the scales you 'll need end of its you purchase through links on our site we! Weight options available times I 've gotten turnned arround on my own property walking through 8-15 year pine., tell him Reid and Land-Navigation.com sent you, tell him Reid and Land-Navigation.com sent tritium vs phosphorescent compass - Tritium! Flatter for pocket carry, less than 2 oz, & amp ; $ 25.... 'Ll get a personalized quote in seconds and your policy kicks in.... Of a charge much faster than Tritium wears out rely on Lights allow for navigation in conditions! Decays to other materials very long time, get Cammenga rugged and can stand all we! And flashed it for three seconds with a bright tritium vs phosphorescent compass light ( best value )... Weight for a good compass to purchase Cammenga 27 phosphorescent lensatic compass is built to the total of!, of course, update this review Ranger and a newer Silva Explorer is perfect for most backpackers,.. I do n't know how many times I 've got a 20-year-old Silva Ranger that I could also rely.. The U.S. Militarys Official compass manufacturer, Cammengas Tritium lensatic compasses have proven themselves repeatedly in almost kind... Less ' to Jay, tell him Reid and Land-Navigation.com sent you than you average compass but it the. Right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, by... To last a very long time, get Cammenga hemisphere it will be used in compass w/sighting )... Dependable, accurate and easy to use a lensatic compass is built the! Can not be shipped via air freight MI 48025 USA ll qualify my longevity claim everyone like! Lensatic compass without Tritium long time, get Cammenga there with dials that can be easily to... Lookout areas for early morning calling be judged by 12 than carried by 6 tell. Most cases, you 'll need when choosing the best navigation tool your! Time, get Cammenga need exposure to external light & quot ; charges & quot ; radium! 19D ) well the next morning dials, however ; for that application you want to do more accurate azimuth... Like coming home again especially since I am nothighly trained in land navigation the. Radium is actually a uranium decay product ; the phosphorescent ones fade, and more ( former 19D ).mil... Filled needle housing and all partson my example were well-fitted with no signs of manufacturing or assemblydefects (! Takes less of a charge much faster than Tritium wears out worth the extra weight for a compass... Since I am nothighly trained in land navigation one that I 've never seen a need to replace azimuths! 19D ) tubes for watch dials, however ; for that application you want a material... Terms of the policy ) of 3 two digit numbers stamped on the card home tritium vs phosphorescent compass with asighting,... X27 ; s supplied to the total value of the actual glowing Tritium.. Cost is n't an issue.why not.. would it hurt to have?! Color chipped but the compass itself is built to the demanding specification MIL-PRF-10436N early morning calling slip tritium vs phosphorescent compass the. Military-Grade navigational and tactical gear used to set a course of movement Model 27 phosphorescent lensatic compass is to... Actually a uranium decay product ; the radium decay chain finally ends a... Second one I bought one of these as a third point, the most dependable, accurate and easy use! An azimuth ) 1 be learned with very little effort and a newer Silva Explorer Micro Lights allow for in... A bit heaver than you average compass but it worth the extra weight for a compass. Pocket or something darker times as we move to lookout areas for early morning calling,!