Suunto Clipper gal/B NH Compass
Suunto's Clipper gal/B NH is a compact clip-on pocket compass prized for its rugged build and reliable needle in a tiny form factor, making it ideal for attaching to packs, jacket zippers, or keychains. It holds a market-leading spot among clip compasses thanks to Suunto's precision engineering and competitive price, offering more consistent readings and durability than novelty zipper compasses and a more premium feel than ultra-budget map compasses like Coghlan's.
Clip-on convenience
Lightweight design
Clip-on convenience
Lightweight design
Review Summary
"Users who owned the Suunto Clipper long-term praise its compact, durable clip-on design and consistently reliable needle, making it a handy backup for hiking and travel; some note the small size limits precision for detailed navigation. Overall it’s seen as high-quality and dependable for everyday use. "
Clips like a koala
Spring clip attaches easily to straps, belts or pack loops for quick access.
Clips like a koala
Spring clip attaches easily to straps, belts or pack loops for quick access.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Time-Saving Convenience
Suunto's Clipper gal/B NH is a compact clip-on pocket compass prized for its rugged build and reliable needle in a tiny form factor, making it ideal for attaching to packs, jacket zippers, or keychains. It holds a market-leading spot among clip compasses thanks to Suunto's precision engineering and competitive price, offering more consistent readings and durability than novelty zipper compasses and a more premium feel than ultra-budget map compasses like Coghlan's.
Clip-on convenience
Lightweight design
Clips like a koala
Spring clip attaches easily to straps, belts or pack loops for quick access.
Liquid-filled capsule provides a stable needle for reliable readings on the move.
Clip-on convenience
Lightweight design
Clips like a koala
Spring clip attaches easily to straps, belts or pack loops for quick access.
Liquid-filled capsule provides a stable needle for reliable readings on the move.
$25-40 USD
Silva Companion 9 Compass
Silva's Companion 9 is a small baseplate pocket compass that balances accuracy and simplicity with clear degree markings and a stable capsule suited to basic route-finding and map work. It earns its best-in-class position for map-based pocket navigation by delivering near-orienteering performance at a modest cost, outperforming ultra-compact options like the Clipper and Brunton Tag Along when precise bearings and map scaling matter.
Clear baseplate
Reliable needle
Clear baseplate
Reliable needle
Review Summary
"Reviewers of the Silva Companion 9 report it as a solid, easy-to-read pocket compass with good long-term reliability and clear markings, though a few experienced navigators find it lacks advanced features. It’s commonly recommended as a dependable basic compass for outdoor use. "
Guides like a mentor
Transparent baseplate with map scales to aid map-based navigation.
Guides like a mentor
Transparent baseplate with map scales to aid map-based navigation.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Skill Development & Mastery
Silva's Companion 9 is a small baseplate pocket compass that balances accuracy and simplicity with clear degree markings and a stable capsule suited to basic route-finding and map work. It earns its best-in-class position for map-based pocket navigation by delivering near-orienteering performance at a modest cost, outperforming ultra-compact options like the Clipper and Brunton Tag Along when precise bearings and map scaling matter.
Clear baseplate
Reliable needle
Guides like a mentor
Transparent baseplate with map scales to aid map-based navigation.
Rotating bezel with degree markings for taking and following bearings.
Clear baseplate
Reliable needle
Guides like a mentor
Transparent baseplate with map scales to aid map-based navigation.
Rotating bezel with degree markings for taking and following bearings.
$20-35 USD
Brunton Tag Along Zip Compass
Brunton's Tag Along Zip is a purpose-built zipper/gear compass that emphasizes convenience — it clips to zippers or gear and gives instant orientation for hikers and commuters. Its financial and practical advantage is affordability and hands-free use compared with full-featured baseplate compasses, though it trades some needle stability and fine graduations for that compact, attachable form factor.
Zipper pull design
Always on-hand
Zipper pull design
Always on-hand
Review Summary
"Buyers of the Brunton Tag Along Zip appreciate its tiny, convenient zip-/keychain form and decent short-term accuracy, but many note reduced precision and durability after extended use compared with larger compasses. It’s liked for casual use and travel but not for serious navigation. "
Zip that never quits
Small zipper-pull form factor clips to packs or jackets for convenient carry.
Zip that never quits
Small zipper-pull form factor clips to packs or jackets for convenient carry.
Time-Saving Convenience
Recreational Enjoyment
Brunton's Tag Along Zip is a purpose-built zipper/gear compass that emphasizes convenience — it clips to zippers or gear and gives instant orientation for hikers and commuters. Its financial and practical advantage is affordability and hands-free use compared with full-featured baseplate compasses, though it trades some needle stability and fine graduations for that compact, attachable form factor.
Zipper pull design
Always on-hand
Zip that never quits
Small zipper-pull form factor clips to packs or jackets for convenient carry.
Low-profile, lightweight design built for casual navigation and travel.
Zipper pull design
Always on-hand
Zip that never quits
Small zipper-pull form factor clips to packs or jackets for convenient carry.
Low-profile, lightweight design built for casual navigation and travel.
$15-30 USD
Coghlan's Deluxe Map Compass
Coghlan's Deluxe Map Compass is a budget-friendly, no-frills pocket map compass aimed at casual users and occasional map reading, often featuring a simple baseplate, magnifier, and ruler at a very accessible price. It is the most cost-effective choice on this list for bulk or entry-level purchasers, providing acceptable functionality for general orientation while lacking the refined needle damping and long-term durability of Silva and Suunto models.
Large baseplate
Magnifier feature
Large baseplate
Magnifier feature
Review Summary
"Users of Coghlan's Deluxe Map Compass value its low cost and useful map-reading features, but longer-term owners often report the needle and housing can be less precise and wear faster than premium compasses. It’s regarded as good value for occasional navigation, not for heavy-duty or professional use. "
Built for family trips
Clear baseplate with map scales and protractor features for accurate map work.
Built for family trips
Clear baseplate with map scales and protractor features for accurate map work.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Skill Development & Mastery
Coghlan's Deluxe Map Compass is a budget-friendly, no-frills pocket map compass aimed at casual users and occasional map reading, often featuring a simple baseplate, magnifier, and ruler at a very accessible price. It is the most cost-effective choice on this list for bulk or entry-level purchasers, providing acceptable functionality for general orientation while lacking the refined needle damping and long-term durability of Silva and Suunto models.
Large baseplate
Magnifier feature
Built for family trips
Clear baseplate with map scales and protractor features for accurate map work.
Built-in magnifier helps read fine map detail while navigating.
Large baseplate
Magnifier feature
Built for family trips
Clear baseplate with map scales and protractor features for accurate map work.
Built-in magnifier helps read fine map detail while navigating.
$12-25 USD
Silva Metro Compass
Silva's Metro is an ultra-compact pocket compass engineered for urban navigation and everyday carry, combining a liquid-filled capsule with a slim profile that tucks into a pocket or wallet. Positioned as the premium minimal option, it gives map-capable accuracy in a smaller package than the Companion 9 and superior needle stability compared with zipper-style compasses like the Brunton Tag Along.
Urban scale marks
Compact keychain
Urban scale marks
Compact keychain
Review Summary
"Owners of the Silva Metro commend its compact, well-built design and long-term reliability for urban and trail navigation, with clear markings and solid needle performance; a few users wished for more advanced features but generally praise its accuracy over time. It’s commonly viewed as a high-quality small compass. "
Navigates city chaos
Pocket-sized design with protective housing for everyday carry in the city.
Navigates city chaos
Pocket-sized design with protective housing for everyday carry in the city.
Time-Saving Convenience
Recreational Enjoyment
Silva's Metro is an ultra-compact pocket compass engineered for urban navigation and everyday carry, combining a liquid-filled capsule with a slim profile that tucks into a pocket or wallet. Positioned as the premium minimal option, it gives map-capable accuracy in a smaller package than the Companion 9 and superior needle stability compared with zipper-style compasses like the Brunton Tag Along.
Urban scale marks
Compact keychain
Navigates city chaos
Pocket-sized design with protective housing for everyday carry in the city.
Precise needle and clear degree markings suited to urban and transit navigation.
Urban scale marks
Compact keychain
Navigates city chaos
Pocket-sized design with protective housing for everyday carry in the city.
Precise needle and clear degree markings suited to urban and transit navigation.
$20-35 USD