14 February 2008

Not your ordinary everyday sort of compass

Posted by Mick under: Equipment .

Who amongst us doesn’t love a cool outdoor gadget??? I know I do, and it’s even better when it has come out of an old world technology that just won’t die…like say for example…a compass.

I can’t remember how I ran across this site, but the moment I saw the Brunton GEO Pocket Transit compass (priced at just north of US$500) I just thought to myself “well ain’t that the dandiest thing I’ve seen in a long time”….along with “$500 for a  compass…hmmmm” ;)

Anyway…the “Geo Pocket Transit” is not your ordinary everyday sort of compass that just gives you a direction for north, south, east or west…it also comes with a truckload of other functionality that I didn’t even know you could get in a compass, with the idea being that it combines a surveyor’s compass, a prismatic compass, two inclinometers, a hand level and a plumb into a single instrument.

A more detailed run-down of its features are as follows:

• Round Level - For accurate azimuth measurement, dip direction and trend measurements.
• Needle - The needle is attached to a rare earth magnet which is induction damped, allowing the needle to seek magnetic north and come to a complete rest in a minimum amount of time.
• Graduated Circle - In combination with the needle, the 1° graduated circle allows for azimuth readings that are accurate to 1/2 degree.
• Long Level - The long level is for inclination measurement.
• Rare Earth Magnet - Brunton has incorporated a cast NdFeB, rare-earth magnet which seeks magnetic north very quickly and allows for faster needle settling.
• Zero Pin - The zero pin is a pointer used for magnetic declination adjustment.
• Vernier - The vernier is used for inclination measurements with an accuracy to 30 minutes.
• Vernier Adjustment - The vernier adjustment rotates the vernier and long level for inclination measurements.
• Mirror - The mirror and mirror center line are used for accurate azimuth and inclination measurements.
• Large & Small Sight - The large sight and the attached buckhorn style peep sight are used for precise azimuth and inclination measurement.
• Bell & Socket Tripod Mount - For mounting the GEO to the optional Brunton ball & socket mount, which in turn attaches to an optional Brunton tripod, or monopod.
• Magnetic Declination Adjustment Screw - Adjust the GEO Transit for magnetic declination.
• Side/Bottom Long Levels - When it is not possible to view the round level, use the side/bottom, long levels to level the GEO transit for azimuth and inclination measurement.
• Hinge Inclinometer - Measure inclination using the lid and at least one of the bubble levels.

Now thats one very feature packed, and cool, navigation instrument. For more information on the Brunton Geo Pocket Transit check out the manual for it which is linked to from its product page.

For more information on compasses, check out the compass page at Wikipedia.

Now what was i thinking…oh yeah…$500 isn’t that much for such a cool and useful tool is it???  Hmmmm….

One Comment so far...

Leave a Reply

Name (required)

Mail (will not be published) (required)

Website

Anti-spam word: (Required)*
To prove you're a person (not a spam script), type the security word shown in the picture. Click on the picture to hear an audio file of the word.

143 views