Suunto MC-2 Global Compass
The Suunto MC-2 Global is a professional-grade clinometer compass that pairs a true global needle and sighting mirror with an integrated clinometer for slope and bearing work, making it a top pick for mountaineers and field surveyors. It strikes a strong balance between technical precision and price — more feature-rich and globally reliable than entry-level models like the Brunton TruArc 15 and better suited for diverse hemispheres than some Silva variants, while offering many navigation features of the Suunto PM-5/360 at a substantially lower cost.
Global-needle precision
Clinometer notch
Global-needle precision
Clinometer notch
Review Summary
"Users consistently praise the Suunto MC-2 Global for its professional-grade accuracy, durable construction, and useful sighting mirror; a few note the higher price and occasional stiffness in declination adjustment. Overall it’s seen as a reliable navigator’s compass for extended field use."
Built like armor
Global needle performs reliably across different magnetic zones for travel and fieldwork.
Built like armor
Global needle performs reliably across different magnetic zones for travel and fieldwork.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Time-Saving Convenience
The Suunto MC-2 Global is a professional-grade clinometer compass that pairs a true global needle and sighting mirror with an integrated clinometer for slope and bearing work, making it a top pick for mountaineers and field surveyors. It strikes a strong balance between technical precision and price — more feature-rich and globally reliable than entry-level models like the Brunton TruArc 15 and better suited for diverse hemispheres than some Silva variants, while offering many navigation features of the Suunto PM-5/360 at a substantially lower cost.
Global-needle precision
Clinometer notch
Built like armor
Global needle performs reliably across different magnetic zones for travel and fieldwork.
Clinometer scale on the housing allows quick slope and angle measurements.
Global-needle precision
Clinometer notch
Built like armor
Global needle performs reliably across different magnetic zones for travel and fieldwork.
Clinometer scale on the housing allows quick slope and angle measurements.
$90-140 USD
Silva Ranger 2.0 Compass
The Silva Ranger 2.0 is a rugged, user-friendly baseplate clinometer compass with a large map-friendly base, practical clinometer markings, and solid sighting capabilities tailored to outdoor navigation and route-finding. It represents a value-oriented middle ground — more feature-dense for field navigation than the budget Brunton TruArc 15, but without the specialized precision and higher price of the Suunto PM-5/360, making it a strong choice for hikers and expedition leaders who need dependable clinometer functions without professional surveyor pricing.
Large readout
Magnifier window
Large readout
Magnifier window
Review Summary
"Buyers say the Silva Ranger 2.0 is a rugged, easy-to-use field compass with clear markings and a good mirror option, valued for reliability in outdoor navigation; some report minor QC issues or wish for a stiffer bezel. It’s widely regarded as a solid mid-range choice."
Glows at night
Large clear baseplate with map scales and built-in magnifier for improved map reading.
Glows at night
Large clear baseplate with map scales and built-in magnifier for improved map reading.
Skill Development & Mastery
Recreational Enjoyment
The Silva Ranger 2.0 is a rugged, user-friendly baseplate clinometer compass with a large map-friendly base, practical clinometer markings, and solid sighting capabilities tailored to outdoor navigation and route-finding. It represents a value-oriented middle ground — more feature-dense for field navigation than the budget Brunton TruArc 15, but without the specialized precision and higher price of the Suunto PM-5/360, making it a strong choice for hikers and expedition leaders who need dependable clinometer functions without professional surveyor pricing.
Large readout
Magnifier window
Glows at night
Large clear baseplate with map scales and built-in magnifier for improved map reading.
Integrated clinometer/inclinometer lines provide slope and angle checks on the go.
Large readout
Magnifier window
Glows at night
Large clear baseplate with map scales and built-in magnifier for improved map reading.
Integrated clinometer/inclinometer lines provide slope and angle checks on the go.
$70-110 USD
Brunton TruArc 15 Compass
The Brunton TruArc 15 is the market-leading budget clinometer compass that offers dependable baseplate navigation and basic inclinometer functionality at a very competitive price, ideal for students and recreational users. While it lacks some of the advanced sighting, global-needle capability, and professional-level angle resolution found in the Suunto MC-2 or the Suunto PM-5/360, its low cost and straightforward design make it the best value option for those who need a lightweight clinometer compass without specialized surveying accuracy.
Featherweight body
Budget-friendly reliability
Featherweight body
Budget-friendly reliability
Review Summary
"Owners appreciate the Brunton TruArc 15 for offering excellent value—accurate, lightweight, and simple to use—though it’s a basic model without advanced features like a sighting mirror. It’s frequently recommended as a dependable budget compass for regular use."
Steady on demand
Lightweight, affordable baseplate compass with a dependable global needle.
Steady on demand
Lightweight, affordable baseplate compass with a dependable global needle.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
The Brunton TruArc 15 is the market-leading budget clinometer compass that offers dependable baseplate navigation and basic inclinometer functionality at a very competitive price, ideal for students and recreational users. While it lacks some of the advanced sighting, global-needle capability, and professional-level angle resolution found in the Suunto MC-2 or the Suunto PM-5/360, its low cost and straightforward design make it the best value option for those who need a lightweight clinometer compass without specialized surveying accuracy.
Featherweight body
Budget-friendly reliability
Steady on demand
Lightweight, affordable baseplate compass with a dependable global needle.
Basic clinometer/incline scale suitable for simple slope measurements while hiking.
Featherweight body
Budget-friendly reliability
Steady on demand
Lightweight, affordable baseplate compass with a dependable global needle.
Basic clinometer/incline scale suitable for simple slope measurements while hiking.
$45-70 USD
Suunto PM-5/360 PC Clinometer
The Suunto PM-5/360 PC is a dedicated professional clinometer that delivers higher angular resolution, a full 360° scale, and rugged construction for geological, forestry, and surveying applications where precise slope and bearing measurements are critical. It outperforms the multi-purpose baseplate compasses in raw clinometer accuracy and instrument stability — a pricier, more specialised tool than the MC-2, Silva Ranger 2.0, or Brunton TruArc 15 — and is the go-to choice when measurement precision and repeatability are the priority in clinometer-compass work.
Precision clinometer
360° rotation
Precision clinometer
360° rotation
Review Summary
"Reviewers of the Suunto PM-5/360 PC clinometer praise its precision and rugged professional build for forestry and geological work, while noting the higher cost and heavier weight compared with smaller clinometers. Long-term users report consistent, accurate angle measurements in field conditions."
Surveyor's zen
High-precision clinometer with a full 360° azimuth ring designed for professional angle measurements.
Surveyor's zen
High-precision clinometer with a full 360° azimuth ring designed for professional angle measurements.
Skill Development & Mastery
Time-Saving Convenience
The Suunto PM-5/360 PC is a dedicated professional clinometer that delivers higher angular resolution, a full 360° scale, and rugged construction for geological, forestry, and surveying applications where precise slope and bearing measurements are critical. It outperforms the multi-purpose baseplate compasses in raw clinometer accuracy and instrument stability — a pricier, more specialised tool than the MC-2, Silva Ranger 2.0, or Brunton TruArc 15 — and is the go-to choice when measurement precision and repeatability are the priority in clinometer-compass work.
Precision clinometer
360° rotation
Surveyor's zen
High-precision clinometer with a full 360° azimuth ring designed for professional angle measurements.
Mirror sighting and fine graduations allow accurate readings for forestry and surveying tasks.
Precision clinometer
360° rotation
Surveyor's zen
High-precision clinometer with a full 360° azimuth ring designed for professional angle measurements.
Mirror sighting and fine graduations allow accurate readings for forestry and surveying tasks.
$550-800 USD
Silva Expedition S Compass
The Silva Expedition S is a premium expedition-grade clinometer compass designed for extreme environments, combining a robust sighting mirror, global needle design, and clear clinometer graduations to handle polar or high-latitude navigation where magnetic deviations are a concern. It offers a higher-end alternative to the Ranger 2.0 with enhanced durability and global reliability, sitting between the Suunto MC-2 in day-to-day versatility and the Suunto PM-5/360 in expedition-focused ruggedness and specialty use, appealing to users who need both precision and resilience in demanding conditions.
Metal housing
Sighting mirror
Metal housing
Sighting mirror
Review Summary
"The Silva Expedition S is liked for its robust construction, global needle performance, and clear sighting features, making it a favorite among serious hikers and expedition users; some users find it bulkier than simpler compasses. Overall it’s viewed as a trustworthy expedition instrument."
Night-ready grin
Rugged mirror-sighting design and solid baseplate built to withstand harsh expedition conditions.
Night-ready grin
Rugged mirror-sighting design and solid baseplate built to withstand harsh expedition conditions.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Time-Saving Convenience
The Silva Expedition S is a premium expedition-grade clinometer compass designed for extreme environments, combining a robust sighting mirror, global needle design, and clear clinometer graduations to handle polar or high-latitude navigation where magnetic deviations are a concern. It offers a higher-end alternative to the Ranger 2.0 with enhanced durability and global reliability, sitting between the Suunto MC-2 in day-to-day versatility and the Suunto PM-5/360 in expedition-focused ruggedness and specialty use, appealing to users who need both precision and resilience in demanding conditions.
Metal housing
Sighting mirror
Night-ready grin
Rugged mirror-sighting design and solid baseplate built to withstand harsh expedition conditions.
Integrated clinometer scale enables incline and slope assessments for route and safety decisions.
Metal housing
Sighting mirror
Night-ready grin
Rugged mirror-sighting design and solid baseplate built to withstand harsh expedition conditions.
Integrated clinometer scale enables incline and slope assessments for route and safety decisions.
$130-200 USD