BOS carries compasses from Nexus, Suunto, Silva, and Moscow. There are two basic types of orienteering compass: The first type, usually called a "baseplate" or "protractor" compass, has a (more or less) rectangular plate on which the the capsule containing the needle is mounted. The capsule has a ring, or bezel, around it with compass bearings etched into it. The capsule is rotatable, and using guidelines etched into the capsule and base, the user can set a bearing on the compass and easily follow it. The other type is called a "thumb" compass. It is attached to the thumb by an elastic band, and is held directly on the map at all times; its purpose is to keep the map oriented correctly to the terrain. A pure thumb compass has no provision for setting a bearing, but some models do have a rotatable bezel, either with or without the compass headings, and can have a bearing set on them - sort of "combo" models.

All the compasses with compass bearings have 2° gradations, except as noted

BASIC COMPASSES (All of these are baseplate compasses)

Silva Starter. Baseplate 2.2" x 3.1", with inch and mm scales 5° gradations.  Cat# 16001 $10.00

Brunton Star. Baseplate 2.00" x 3.1" with rounded heel, lanyard included  Cat# 12002  $11.00

Suunto A-10 Baseplate 2.2" x 4.0" with rounded heel and detachable lanyard Cat 14002 $11.00

Silva Polaris. Similar to Nexus Star, with inch and mm scales.  Cat# 16002  $13.00

Brunton Expedition. Baseplate 2.1" x 3.9" with .75" diam magnifier; inch, 1:24000 and 1:62500 scales, luminous points, lanyard.  Cat# 12003  $20.00

Suunto A-30L Woodsman. Baseplate 2.2" x 4.3" with 1.1" diam magnifier, inch, mm, and 1:24000 scales, detachable lanyard, luminous needle, bezel and guides.   Cat# 14008   $17.00

Suunto M-9 Wrist compass, worn like a wristwatch. Capsule is rotatable to set a bearing but no compass ring to read actual heading.  Cat# 14011   $25.00

COMPETITION COMPASSES

Moscow Compass: Moscow compasses are unique in that the capsules and baseplates are all interchangeable, except for Model 8. You can, for example get a baseplate model and a thumb plate, and switch the capsule back and forth to try out each style. When you order, you specify the capsule and plate, for example 11L, 2C, etc. Guaranteed for 3 years.

The different capsules are:

Model 11: Good basic competition compass, settling time 1.5 - 2.0 sec, wide needle, white bezel. Complete Model 11 compass Cat# 1011 $31.00

Model 2: Moscow's fastest needle, settling time 0.5 - 1 sec, narrow needle, white bezel. Complete Model 2 compass Cat# 1002  $52.00

Model 3: Not quite as fast as the Model 2, settling time 1 - 1.5 sec, but more stable, narrow needle, black bezel. Complete Model 3 compass Cat# 1003 $52.00

Model 5: Uses the same needle system as Model 3, but has a smaller capsule with no bezel around it. Although a bearing can be set, the actual heading cannot be read. Complete Model 5 compass Cat# 1009  $52.00

Model 8: Uses the same needle system as Model 3, but instead of the usual degree readings around the bezel, it is divided into colored sectors. This is a pure thumb compass used only to orient the map; no bearing can be set. Complete Model 8 compass Cat# 1008  $52.00

Model 9: Uses the same needle system as Model 3, but has a full size capsule with no bezel around it. Although a bearing can be set, the actual heading cannot be read. Complete Model 9 compass Cat# 1009  $52.00

The plates are:

C: Classic baseplate, 2.0" x 4.2", mm, 1:15000 and inch scales, lanyard. Separate plate, with lanyard and retainer spring Cat# 10PC  $9.00

L: Thumb plate for the left hand, 1:15000 scale, with elastic band; thumb squeezes through hole in the plate to hold the map against the compass. Separate plate with elastic band and retainer spring Cat# 10PL  $9.00

R: Thumb plate for the right hand, 1:15000 scale, with elastic band; thumb squeezes through hole in the plate to hold the map against the compass Separate plate with elastic band and retainer spring Cat# 10PR  $9.00

Note: The L and R plates, although made for left or right thumbs, are actually reversible, although the two sides are not equally smooth, and the painted scale will be on top of the plate, not right against the map.

XL: A shortened version of the L plate, with the end of the hole cut off to allow longer thumbs to extend beyond the plate, 1:15000 scale. Separate plate with elastic band and retainer spring Cat# 10PXL  $9.00

XR: A shortened version of the R plate, with the end of the hole cut off to allow longer thumbs to extend beyond the plate, 1:15000 scale. Separate plate with elastic band and retainer spring Cat# 10PXR  $9.00

See the note for L and R plates.

MAGNIFIER: Moscow Compass has a magnifier that attaches to the plate, and can be rotated out of the way when not needed. To include this on a compass, add a "+" to your model., such as 2L+. The magnifier price is   Cat# 10MAG $16.00

Brunton Imported from Sweden by Brunton. Guaranteed for life by Brunton.

Victor 5: Classical steel-needle compass with 2.3" x 4.7" baseplate, reversible mm/1:15000 scale, lanyard.   Cat# 12004  $32.00

High performance compasses with a wide, stable needle.These compasses have a two-point supension for the needle, so they are not affected by tilting the compass or by latitude.

Spectra 6 (L or R): Pure thumb compass for orienting the map, with colored sectors around the capsule for quick alignment. Mm and 1:15000 scales. Uses rubber pads for stabilizing the map Cat# 12017L or 12017R   $90.00

1SJet: Base plate 2.4" x 4.9", with 1.5" x 1.2" oval magnifier and reversible mm/1:15000 scale. Lanyard included.  Cat# 12019   $85.00

Suunto: Imported from Finland, and guaranteed for life against defects in material and workmanship. The Arrow line high-performance compasses have a two-point needle suspension, so they are not affected by tilting the capsule or by latitude.

Arrow 1: Thumb compass for the left hand, thumb reaches over the plate to stabilize the map, mm and 1:15000 scales. capsule is rotatable to set a bearing but no compass ring to read actual heading.  Discontinued, replaced by the Arrow 5 below. Cat# 14003    $40.00

Arrow 5: New! Thumb compass for the left hand. Layout is similar to the Moscow thumb compasses, but with the Suunto Arrow fast needle Cat# 14010   $44.00

Arrow 2000: Baseplate 2.2" x 4.5", mm and 1:15000 scales, lanyard  Cat# 14001  $45.00

Arrow 20: Replaces Arrow 2000, baseplate 2.2" x 5.0", mm and 1:15000 scales, lanyard  Cat# 14007  $49.00

Arrow 30: Baseplate 2.2" x 5.0", with 1.1" round magnifier, mm and 1:15000 scales, lanyard.  Cat# 14006   $58.00

SIGHTING COMPASSES: Read bearings accurately to 0.5º. Useful for mapping, or for taking bearings to triangulate position.

Suunto KB-20: Direct sighting compass with 2.1" x 3.0" plastic case, lanyard  Cat# 14009   $75.00

Nexus 54LU Combi: Built on a standard compass baseplate, it can be used like one. But it also has a mirror prism built into the compass wheel that allows it to be
used as a sighting compass. Cat# 12014   $75.00