The first step of navigation, along with the SILVA 1-2-3, is to learn the basics of your compass. There are many different types of compasses, and they are comprised of a number of different pieces, all of which have their own function. The key feature of any compass is the compass needle, which is placed in the liquid-filled compass housing. From here, you go just about as far as you like when it comes to navigation.
Now, let’s learn the basics.
Silva is a longtime global leader in compass accuracy, precision, and durability. On all Silva compasses the directional accuracy for Magnetic North is 1 degree.
The scales and other information on our compasses are hot stamped, which makes them exceptionally durable.
To make your compass last longer, we use only highly durable acrylic plastics. It is of the highest quality, and will stand the test of time as well as well as intense use. Also, to increase map visibility, it has high transparency.
This arrow will point towards your travel destination after you have set your course.
The housing is filled with anti-static liquid (a customized formula) that ensures clear reading, fast settling time, perfect dampening, stability and accuracy of the needle.
Patented red/black north-south lines in the capsule bottom ensure easy and safe settling. Align with the meridians on the map. Make sure that the map points north.
We have developed the world's fastest, and most accurate compass needle made only from the finest Swedish steel.
We use sapphire jewelry bearing for friction-free movement of the compass needle.
Many compasses have a clinometer built into the compass housing. This is used for measuring inclination of slopes.
To measure the map, you need a scale of some kind. Many of our compasses comes with a scale lanyard that has two scales on it; 1:25, and 1:50, which facilitates measuring the distance of your hike. The lanyard is soft and bendable, and it’s easy to place directly on to your route on the map and to quickly make a judgement of your route’s distance or to plan your route in advance.
The slope card is great both for detecting avalanche risk and for determining how challenging your journey will be. By knowing the inclination of the slope you can also judge any extra distance that you may need to go due to the slope. When skiing off-pist, or in a steep mountain area, you need to keep track of avalanches. The risk of an avalanche increases if the inclination is more than 30°, and with the compass and a slope card you can foresee the risk, and decide whether it’s safe.
Many Silva compasses comes with a magnifying lens built into the baseplate. This will make it easier for you to read the map and its often small typography, and for precision map work.
(ME/MN/MS)
NAVIGATING THE WORLD
The Earth and its magnetic zones work in mysterious ways, and to navigate accurately you need to make sure you have a compass for the place where you are at the moment. If you, let’s say, live in the northern hemisphere and are going on a trip to an area around the equator, the compass that you use at home will not work properly, and instead you need one that is made for the area, called Magnetic Equator. There are three different balancing zones for compasses: Magnetic Equator, Magnetic North and Magnetic South. We also offer global compasses that works in any magnetic zone.
The difference between Geographic (North/South map meridians) and Magnetic North (towards which the red end of the compass needle points), is called declination. The degree and the direction of declination is shown on the map.
On many of our compasses, you can compensate for magnetic declination by using the fixed declination correction scale inside the capsule.
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Three entrepreneurial brothers. One great invention. In 1933, Björn, Alvar and Arvid Kjellström invented the first ever liquid-filled compass, and our story began.
