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Underwater Compasses
Many divers take diving compasses for granted, considering them just an accessory to an overall dive gauge console system. Trying to navigate with a poorly designed or improperly functioning compass can be one of diving's more frustrating events.
Compasses vary in greatly in where they are worn/attached and this is down to personal diver preference. From wrist mounted compasses with straps or bungees to a gauge mounted compass, we have every variation
We only stock the very best underwater and diving compasses to ensure that you are on track at all times. We use and recommend the Suunto range of wrist mount dive compasses, but have plenty of options from other brands like Cressi as well.
Technical Tip
Compass Balance Zones
Compasses are designed for use within a certain area of the globe because the earth's magnetic field not only varies horizontally, but also vertically, causing the needle to dip downward when the case is held level. The compass needle card is balanced with a small weight to counteract the downward dip so the needle card does not drag or stick on the top or bottom of the capsule. If you take any compass to a significantly different part of the globe than where it was balanced, check the compass carefully before relying upon it. The compasses we sell are balanced for the southern hemisphere.
Digital Compasses
Note that digital compasses, like the ones becoming popular in dive computers, do not have balance zones. Digital compasses are universal because they have a user 'calibration' feature, which is performed in the region where the diver plans to use the compass. A change in region simply requires a recalibration before use in the new location
Diving Related
- Bikini Atoll
- Home to the world's best wreck diving experience. Bikini Atoll, located in the central Pacific, is one of the atolls that form the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Bikini is perhaps best known for its role in a series of nuclear tests conducted by the United States in the 1940s and 1950s.
- Oceans Enterprises
- Books by the boatload. Oceans is your local source for books on diving not available in the chain stores.
- Rebreather World
- The home of rebreathers on the net. The world's largest online dedicated rebreather diving forum community where hundreds of divers from around the world come to discuss all issues related to Rebreathers in thousands of posted discussions!
Disclaimer:
The Scuba Doctor Australia provides the above information and links to other web sites for informational purposes only. The responsiblity for the accuracy and validity of the content on the pages linked to from this web site rests only with the concerned person/organisation which own the respective web sites. All queries or complaints in this regard must be directed only to the concerned person/organisation and not to The Scuba Doctor Australia or any of its constituents. The Scuba Doctor Australia does not assume any legal liablity for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information linked to from the The Scuba Doctor Australia web site. The Scuba Doctor Australia does not vouch for genuiness and safety of products that may be available on the linked to web sites.
![Halcyon Infinity 30lb System [SS Small Backplate]](/diveshop/images/halcyon/Halcyon-Evolve-Wing.jpg "Halcyon Infinity 30lb System [SS Small Backplate]")
