Davis Hand Bearing Compass
Best handheld compass for sailors and anglers needing precise marine navigation.
This Davis Hand Bearing Compass is a fantastic tool for yachtsmen, racers, and fishermen, helping you find your position and steer accurately. It makes it super easy to get quick magnetic bearings on shore or floating objects. Just line up the front and rear sights on your target and read the bearing. You can use it to take a quick bearing or set your position, figure out how much of an advantage or disadvantage you have on the competition while racing, check how far offshore you are, establish your lee-bow set when cruising or racing in currents, determine your drift vector, and plot a line of position. It features a stable liquid-damped compass card with clear markings, a large contoured handle for a comfortable and steady grip, and a high-efficiency LED illumination system that lights up the compass capsule and sight vane with a soft glow. The included batteries are designed to last up to 10 times longer than regular bulbs! This is the Davis 215 handheld illuminated compass, designed for marine use. It allows you to easily obtain quick magnetic bearings on shore or floating objects by simply aligning the front and rear sights on an object and reading the bearing. It's perfect for quick bearing or position setting, determining angular gain or loss on competitors during races, checking distance offshore, establishing lee-bow set while cruising or racing in currents, drift vectoring, and plotting a line of position. Both compasses feature a liquid-damped compass card graduated in 5 segments and a large, contoured handle. A lanyard and instructions are included. A compact, lightweight, and accurate hand bearing compass designed for taking quick and precise bearings from a boat or shore. Features a direct-read card and a sighting system for easy use.
$58.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.1
/ 5
Category Rank
190
/ 225
#190 in Navigational Compasses
Price vs Category Average
-84%
Below average
Who it's for
- Navigators needing precise bearings for accurate position fixes
- Sailors operating in harsh, demanding marine environments
- Night sailors requiring reliable visibility in low-light conditions
Who should skip it
- Casual boaters on a strict budget
- Users who prefer maintenance-free, non-electronic gear
- Hikers needing a compact tool for topographic map work
Performance breakdown
Bearing Accuracy
Liquid-damped card ensures steady, reliable readings even in choppy marine conditions.
Ergonomics
Contoured handle provides a secure, natural grip for one-handed operation.
Low-Light Visibility
Efficient LED illumination provides clear, soft light for nighttime navigation.
Build Durability
Rugged construction withstands the harsh, corrosive saltwater environment effectively.
Ease of Sighting
Intuitive front and rear sight alignment makes taking bearings incredibly fast.
Portability
Compact, lightweight design makes it easy to stow or carry anywhere.
Know before you buy
You simply align the front and rear sights on your target object. Once aligned, you can read the magnetic bearing directly from the compass card while still looking at your target.
Yes, it features a high-efficiency LED illumination system. It provides a soft glow that lights up both the compass capsule and the sight vane, making it easy to read in low-light conditions.
Absolutely. The liquid damping helps stabilize the compass card, reducing erratic movement caused by the motion of the boat or your hand, which makes it much easier to get an accurate reading.
The included batteries are designed to be highly efficient, lasting up to 10 times longer than standard bulb-based illumination systems.
Yes, it is designed for both. Beyond standard navigation, you can use it to determine your angular gain or loss against competitors, establish lee-bow set in currents, and calculate your drift vector.
The handle is large and contoured, specifically designed to provide a secure, steady grip. It is angled forward to give you better control when taking multiple bearings.
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