Compasses

Silva Compass Products for Map Reading and Navigation

A Silva compass is designed to support practical navigation, especially when working with maps, bearings and outdoor routes. It can help users identify direction, orient a map, follow a bearing and check progress across open land, woodland, paths, waterways or unfamiliar outdoor sites.

The right model depends on how it will be used. A simple map compass may be enough for general route planning and basic navigation. A more detailed sighting compass may be useful where the user needs to take more controlled bearings. Compact options can suit users who need a small compass carried with field gear, while specialist outdoor models may suit activities such as kayaking, forestry or land-based navigation.

Before choosing a compass, consider visibility, size, scale markings, sighting features and how the unit will be carried during work.

Map Compasses for Bearings and Route Planning

A map compass is useful when a user needs to plan or follow a route using a paper map. It can help align the map with the ground, identify the direction of travel and support bearing checks between known points. This makes it practical for outdoor fieldwork where route planning and direction finding are part of the job.

A compass for map reading is often used by people working across woodland, farmland, construction sites, estates and remote outdoor locations. It can also support recreational navigation, training and general field movement. The exact model needed depends on the level of detail required and whether the user needs a standard baseplate compass, a compact field compass or a model with sighting features.

A baseplate compass can be especially useful when working directly on a map because the transparent body and markings help with route planning and bearing work.

Sighting Compasses for More Controlled Bearing Checks

A sighting compass is useful when a user needs to take or check a bearing more carefully. Models with sighting features can help users line up a direction toward a visible point, making them practical for navigation, outdoor instruction, land checks and field route planning.

This type of Silva compass may be useful where the user needs more control than a basic compact compass provides. It can support work across open ground, woodland edges, access routes or sites where direction needs to be checked against a map or known feature.

The best choice depends on how often bearings need to be taken, whether map scales or sighting mirrors are required and how the instrument will be used in the field.

Map Measurers for Route Distance Checks

A map measurer helps users estimate route distance from a map. Instead of measuring only a straight line, the tool can follow paths, tracks, boundaries or curved routes, making it useful when planning outdoor movement or checking approximate travel distance before fieldwork begins.

The Silva map measurer is a practical addition for users who work with printed maps and need to estimate route lengths. It can help with planning walking routes, access routes, inspection paths or field visits where distance matters. It does not replace measured survey data, but it is a useful manual tool for route planning and outdoor navigation preparation.

Using a map measurer alongside a compass can give users a clearer view of both direction and approximate distance before moving through the field.

Compasses and Handheld GPS Devices

A Silva compass is a manual navigation tool used for bearings, direction finding and map work. A handheld GPS is different. It provides electronic navigation features such as routes, waypoints and location information, depending on the model.

For users who need electronic navigation, route tracking or waypoint management, explore our Handheld GPS range. Many field users carry both types of equipment, using a compass for manual direction finding and a GPS device for electronic location support.

Compasses and GPS / GIS Equipment

A compass helps with manual navigation and map reading, while GPS and GNSS equipment can support electronic positioning, coordinate capture and field location tasks. The right choice depends on whether the user needs bearings and route planning, or electronic position data for a specific workflow.

For GPS receivers, handheld navigation devices and field positioning equipment, browse our GPS / GIS range.

Compasses for Land, Forestry and Field Work

Compasses are useful for people working across woodland, farmland, open land, waterways and outdoor sites where direction finding matters. A navigation compass can support route planning, access checks and field movement when working away from clear roads or fixed reference points.

For slope and height-related field measurements, our Clinometers range may also be useful. For related equipment used across forestry, agriculture and outdoor land work, browse our Forestry & Agricultural Supplies range.

Order Silva Compasses from Celtic Surveys

We supply Silva compass products and map measurers for direction finding, map work, bearing checks, route planning and outdoor navigation. Browse our range to find baseplate compasses, sighting compasses, compact outdoor options and map measuring tools for field use.

Need help choosing a Silva compass or map measurer for outdoor navigation, fieldwork or route planning? Contact us for practical product advice before buying. Call 01 801 1335 or email sales@celticsurveys.ie to discuss the right option for your work.