Make navigating your dive easier than ever with our selection of dive compasses and scuba mount compasses. Shop now and find the perfect compass for your next dive!
Even the most experienced scuba divers can get disoriented by silt, obstructions, loss of light, and other hazards. This is where your diving compass can help! There are quite a few features and configurations to consider as you search for the perfect dive compass, including mounting s style, sight style, and backlighting.
Reasons to Carry a Scuba Compass
One of the primary reasons to carry a scuba diving compass is to maintain your course underwater. Unlike on land where you can use landmarks, the open ocean doesn’t provide many, if any, signposts. A compass helps you follow a planned path to ensure you can return to your entry point.
Most dive compasses are analog, so even if your dive watch provides an internal compass, it’s smart to carry this low-tech, highly effective tool as a backup.
How to Use a Scuba Diving Compass
Before you dive, be sure to calibrate your compass. For accuracy, hold it level and away from any magnetic interference, like dive gear or metal objects.
The compass needle always points north. To determine your direction, align the compass with your body, and follow where the needle points. If you're aiming for a specific heading, adjust your course accordingly.
Monitor your compass regularly to make sure you stay on track.
Special Features to Explore in Scuba Dive Compasses
Side reading windows are handy for reading your compass from different angles, which is crucial when you’re in various diving positions. Illuminated compass dials are a lifesaver in low-light conditions or night dives.
Oil-filled compasses are less prone to leaking. They provide better stability in rough water conditions, so they’re ideal for open-water divers.
Some compasses have a tilt-potential feature that lets you read them accurately, even when they’re not perfectly level. A ratcheting bezel makes it easier to set your desired heading without accidentally changing it during your dive.
Different Mounting Options for Scuba Compasses
A wrist-mounted compass is convenient for quick and simple reference. You wear them on your wrist, much like a wristwatch, while console-mounted compasses are integrated into your diving console, along with other instruments like depth gauges and pressure gauges.
Quality Counts for Dive Compasses
XS Scuba, Suunto, Oceanic, and Aqualung are all well-known brands that create high-quality scuba diving equipment, including advanced and intuitive dive compasses.
