new compass

[MH Hawker]

I have a BD coming up and the wife asked me what i could use on the boat. I had to think a moment and came up with a new dash mounted compass, the one i have is a old automotive style i have used for years. I know most use the GPS units but i just dont need them not to mention the sky high prices. I am looking this one. its a nice wide view, should be about the size of my tach.


any one have this one.


http://www.iboats.com/Ritchie-V-57-2-Black-Compass/dm/*******.363417305--session_id.773928635--view_id.44251

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: new compass

I don't have that model but I have now and also in the past have had a few ritchie compasses and they all worked great. They are a good rugged compass. By the way, even with a good GPS mounted on board and another handheld in the glove box for just in case I would NEVER get out of sight of land without a compass.

 

[alldodge]

Re: new compass

I have a Ritchie but not that model, and they do make good equipment

 

[airshot]

Re: new compass

I have a Ritchie model that is similar but a deck mount, great compass. Whether you have a gps or not, I would never leave the dock without a compass. Been in fog just 2 miles offshore and needed to know which way dock was. Gps are devices that can and will fail, they are great tools to have, but nothing beats a good compass and the knowledge to use it.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: new compass

I don't have that model but I have now and also in the past have had a few ritchie compasses and they all worked great. They are a good rugged compass. By the way, even with a good GPS mounted on board and another handheld in the glove box for just in case I would NEVER get out of sight of land without a compass.

Then there isn't a real need for a compass

 

[Thalasso]

Re: new compass

I have a Ritchie model that is similar but a deck mount, great compass. Whether you have a gps or not, I would never leave the dock without a compass. Been in fog just 2 miles offshore and needed to know which way dock was. Gps are devices that can and will fail, they are great tools to have, but nothing beats a good compass and the knowledge to use it.

Different type of fog if you are referring to Lake Erie. Been there done that but was using GPS.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: new compass

Fog is the reason I have a compass. I run small mountain lakes at night and at least 2 or 3 times a year i get in fogs that my 1 million CP light will only cut through it about 50 to 60 feet and if you dont have some sort of a compass you will slowly turn in a circle while going across open water. But i was taught how to use charts long ago.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: new compass

Learn how to program and use the GPS. Follow the arrow and you will not turn in a circle. Even my little hand held 15 year old Garmin has a waypoint and a "home" arrow.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: new compass

I have a GPS that i use in my truck and i have used it on the lake several times.

 

[airshot]

Re: new compass

Yes I rely on my little garmin an awfull lot, however I would never leave the dock without a compass. Couple years back we were on our way back in, light fog, visibility was poor. I did not realize my batteries in the gps were dead as I was running on DC plugin power, for whatever reason the plug came out and the gps went dead. The problem here is when the gps looses power without a proper shut down it looses your waypoints. On the little garmin unit waypoints are only saved with a proper power down. This was a lesson I was not aware of. Thank God for the compass to get us back in. Replaced the batteries for backup power and had to reprogram my waypoints. Now I carry extra and check my batteries frequently.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: new compass

it's good to have a compass that lights up (like that model) but I'd have it on a switch so it's not always on when the console lights are on; the less light the better for night vision.

And I agree with others--never rely on electronics on a boat (esp. in salt water) and always have a real compass--and know how to use it.