Brand-new, the G.I. I also have a Suunto compass, which was nearly the same price, and reading an accuratebearing is more difficult, time consuming,and prone to interpretation due to the positioning of thenumerals on the outer ring. The compass itself is built with attention to detail and all partson my example were well-fitted with no signs of manufacturing or assemblydefects. AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types. Despite the name, these transitions still happen, but they're statistically unlikely and so the trapped light leaks out much more slowly than in fluorescent materials. The Tritium won't, but this can be replaced by Cammenga every 13 years or so. I paid $70 for the bloody compass. I went outside in the dark. Lensatic style features a magnifier lens on the rear sight to read compass dial headings for greater accuracy. Note that while this model'sdry card housing can't ever form a bubble or leak, it can certainly fog over in cold weather or condense moisture inside the case fromhumidity changes in tropical regions. Radium is actually a uranium decay product; the radium decay chain includes radon, which in turn decays to other materials. They involve using some math and the clicks of the bezel as you rotate it. In the northern hemisphere, it pulls the needle's north end down. This compass is often praisedfor its superior accuracy over most baseplate style compass designs in shooting an azimuth (taking a bearing) to an objective or landmark. It can be a little more difficult to learn on. crossbowme You cant beat the reliability. With the thumbhole holder it is easier to level. Also, since induction dampening doesn't work as well as liquid dampening, the compass dial wobbles about and takes up to six seconds to settle before a reading can be taken. Hated the cheap ones in the Army. If I were in the market for a new compass today, I. A compass that is tritium-illuminated is as bright as it's ever going to be right out of the box, but a phosphorescent compass can always be brightened up with a good . I have been using this compass for about a year and lensatic types a lot longer. Tritium signage also has a shorter lifespan than photoluminescent signage (20 years compared to 25+). NIGHT FISION TRITIUM NIGHT SIGHTS FOR GLOCK. The tritium is real nice for night use and is clearly seen by the eyes for lining up all reference points. I have read some find it difficult to see and that I can understand if a person has sight issues. And, finally, it has no mirror. Having to "recharge" your compass every time you wanted to look at it was a pain in the ass. I have a 1985 Stocker & Yale phosphorescent. It is a bit heaver than you average compass but it worth the extra weight for a piece of mind. Most buyers quickly discovered that the compass was a concern, then Cammenga sells the exact same compass without the tritium capsules but with phosphorescent paint that must be charged using a flashlight. Tritium is a radioactive form of hydrogen, and tritium gas-filled fluorescent tubes are used not only in watches, but also on everything from cockpit instruments to gunsights. the hassle. Fluorescent materials tend to emit absorbed energy very rapidly they'll glow as long as there's a source of light to excite the material (typically with what's described as "neon" coloration) but emission takes place over a time scale of mere nanoseconds, so they will go dark the instant a light source is removed. Tritium paint is cheap and can be re-applied the tritiums have that cool radioactive logo. It too is 5 stars. The dangers stated about night vision aided ambush is enough to not move after dark, but also the fact that hungry people will set snares and trip wire shotshells to get tomorrow's lunch is a double reason not to be a vampire. I think the biggest benefit of this compass is how easy it is to readand follow abearing. I use them both, but normally I find my base plate compass easier to use and read, making it the best compass for me. at Cabela's, Check Availability The compass uses magnetic 'induction dampening' to settle the floating dial in 'six seconds or less'. The U.S. M-1950 dry lensatic compass currently made by Cammenga in the 3H configurationis lauded as being the toughest, most accurate compass on the market. But who's going to bother with that? Silva Polaris Compass; 2.5 6. Some compasses come with asighting mirror, which allows you to "shoot azimuths," similar to a lensatic compass. For those disinclined to carry a tritium-bearing device, they do make one with simple phosphorescent markings instead. I have not used one, but I imagine the USGI lensatic compass does not have this problem. Cammenga also supply a Tritium black painted S.W.A.T. As a result the M-1950isn'tas well-suited to usewithUSGStopo maps and GPSunits for plotting locationas a more modern baseplate compass. Source: bought it new Generally, I'd avoid the very cheap compasses found at big box stores, and go for a name brand--Silva, Suunto, and Brunton. Choosing the best compass for you depends on what you want to use it for. A key point to bear in mind is this: the dial is still highly radioactive. It is bulky. Constructed with a powder-coated, aluminum frame for optimal endurance. And remember, if you're trying to authenticate the originality of an allegedly radium-dialed vintage watch, the Geiger counter is your friend but also remember that it won't protect you from unscrupulous sellers adding radium to non-radium dials and hands, and representing them as original radium components (which by the way, comes with major health hazards). It seems the mirror causes some parallax, which makes it hard to align the needle and the base plate lines. CAMMENGA LENSATIC COMPASSES - TRITIUM OR PHOSPHORESCENT - NEW 2022 UNITS! Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited. It's like science truck-nuts for your pistol. April 22, 2009. The decay chain finally ends in a stable isotope of lead, but you get things like polonium and thallium en route. Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. The second quibble is that the scale markings along the straight edge available when the compass is completely open are suitable for 1:50,000 scale markings, but some of the markings (specifically, those for 2000 and 4000 m) aren't marked so as to quickly distinguish them from neighboring marks. Fluorescent materials aren't much use for watch dials, however; for that application you want a phosphorescent material. I bought two of these compasses over the years. Once I downloaded the track to my PC I was surprised how straight the navigation was, including four 90 degree turns 100 to 200 yards apart to route myself around a swamp. Product Description. Reviewed by Kjellstrom introduced the sport of orienteering to the USA in 1946. The earth's magnetic pull wants to pull one end of the needle down. Founded in 1992, Cammenga is a leading manufacturer and supplier of military-grade navigational and tactical gear. It was real easy to wreck your night vision in the process. The compass is accurate to 2.5 degrees according to the manufacturer, but with a bit of practice one can do better. You can, if you practice, split the five-degree increment spacing in half to get a (theoretical) reading of 2.5 degrees between increments, while simultaneously holding the compass steady and the sighting wire fixed on the objective, then checking for parallax error not easy. The 3HC model is Tritium and the luminescent never need charging for ten years then you replace it (note the compass will work just fine but with no or little luminescent). In the northern hemisphere, it pulls the needle's north end down. In summary, the M-1950 lensatic compass in 3H configuration as made by Cammenga is a special-purpose military compass that needs a redesign to compete as a general-purpose wilderness navigation compass. It's cheaper. Free shipping. Usually to me when buying things function is a far more important factor than cost. (Walking a straight line in any forest with no cleartarget in sightis always achallenge.). Some of the pricier compasses have a declination adjustment, which means you can "set it and forget it" when it comes to adjusting for declination. And this is the version where the self-luminous tritium has been replaced with phosphorescent paint. +61 Overview. Easy reading too. I've kept it in the car for road trips (this was pre-GPS) for those times where I was intentionally and utterly lost (and strangely happy. Or you could use the mils scale and convert each and every azimuth (bearing) you takeback into degrees for the benefit of your companions (all of whom will havedegree scale compasses). +159 Since it is filled with ordinary air, the M-1950 can and does fog over in cold weatheror from moisture andhumidity changes in tropical regions, since the interior is not purged with inert gas like your fogproof binoculars or rifle scope. :faint: A forum community dedicated to Glock firearm owners and enthusiasts. Copyright 1996-2023 AR15.COM LLC. One other thing I like about the Suunto M-3G is that it has a "global" needle. If it's a life support kit, DO NOT skimp. It has no romer scales, and only one 1:50,000 metric scale, which isn'tmuch use for USGS 1:24,000 topos. *Must have a registered ARFCOM account to win. mountainman_270 When perpendicular (fig. All the watches you need to know about, delivered to your inbox daily. +626 Purchasing a genuine CAMMENGA LENSATIC COMPASS is easy: go to www.cammenga.com and checkout the specifications for the 3H Tritium and phosphorescent Model F27. See questions and answers Customer reviews. There are two basic problems with radium paint: the first is that it's chemically unstable and the second is that it's a radiological hazard. While not difficult for an experienced user, someone who is used to setting declination and forgetting it thereafter will have to be reminded occasionally to make the proper adjustment in sighting. Actinium is a radioactive metal that emits a pale blue light in a darkened room. The other problem is that radiation from radium causes zinc sulfide to break down chemically (in a way similar to the mechanism by which UV radiation in sunlight causes materials like ordinary paint, vinyls, and other plastics to deteriorate). Instead, it incorporates a material known as strontium aluminate, which is an extremely efficient phosphor that once charged, will glow very brightly initially, and with diminishing intensity for several hours thereafter. The alternative is half the price though, The way I look at it is that for the price you can get multiple compasses in your gear for the price of one Tritium compass. Night Fision night sights carry more tritium than the average night sight on the market and a domed lens engineered to create the a crisp, defined glow. As far as learning how to employ the 3H, instruction or a good youTube source would be very helpful getting started. Copyright 20092023, Hodinkee Inc. All Rights Reserved. Our patented injection molded sleeve design holds our tritium vials securely in place using ballistic materials. Close-up of the 3H closed. JavaScript is disabled. Performs flawlessly in temperatures ranging from -50 F to 150 F. Uncompromised by temperature changes due to its non-liquid filled needle housing. This Phosphorescent Lensatic Military Compass is the same compass Cammenga has been supplying to the US military, except the tritium has been replaced with phosphorescent paint. As a cavalry scout the ability to have excellent land navigation skills is a must. A classic example is a blue glow associated with a nuclear reactor. And in the civilian world, things have changed a lot since then. Really? Reviewed by Good solid compass and easy to understand, but mine is 10 off to the west, which makes it too undependable to stake your life on. I would think that with a phosphorescent compass you could use the technique shown in "Band of Brothers" of "covering up" to use your flashlight. I'd rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6. . How does radium paint behave under a black light/UV flashlight? That means some of the liquid has leaked out. mike068 If you just need to occasionally find the cardinalpointsor orient a map correctly, this compass is probably overkill. I've even successfully started a fire with the small magnetic lense. A Week On The Wrist The $250K Urwerk Inspired By A Vintage Bugatti And Chicken Grills, Hands-On The Tudor Black Bay Burgundy, Now A Master Chronometer, Watches & Wonders 2023 All The News And New Releases From Watches & Wonders 2023, How To Wear It The Vacheron Constantin Patrimony, Buying, Selling, & Collecting Here's Why I Traded My Cartier Santos-Dumont For A Tank, Watches In The Wild The Road Through America, Episode 1 Of Our New Docuseries. Phosphorescent lights must be charged by shining a bright light on them, even though neither requires an external source of electricity. Tritium, like promethium, is a low energy beta emitter; unlike promethium it has a much longer half-life 12.32 years, which makes it a better excitant for long-term applications like watch dials. Some compasses are set up differently. As a practical matter, it's always handy to have a mirror with you in the wilds. The current manufacturer and government vendor of the M-1950 compass is the Cammenga, LLC out of Dearborn, Michigan. Very well built, impressive compass, at least until the lens fell out. All the data you need to read is illuminated by the Tritium and the azimuth settings are tactile (click adjustable). The model has tritium inserts and appears to be made of aluminum. It is much more than most people need. At that point, dials and hands are usually replaced if nocturnal legibility is desired of course, do that to a vintage watch whose high value rests on originality of all parts, and you may have a watch you can read at night, but you will have destroyed its investment value. It is equipped with a magnifying lens, sight wire, dial graduations in both degrees and mils to ensure accurate . Reviewed by However, the most important difference is the ability to shoot accurate azimuths. Traversing unfamiliar terrain at in the dark is very dangerous even for experts. | updated August 14, 2012. Lasts about 10-12 years, then donated to scouts. Strontium aluminate is a much more efficient phosphor than zinc sulfide it's about ten times as bright and glows about ten times longer and the color can vary between various shades of green and blue, with blue supposedly producing the longest glow time, and green offering better brightness. I have popped out on other people's property, and not known if I'm facting North or West. July 15, 2019. The Cammenga Phosphorescent Lensatic Compass is essentially the same trustworthy model that's supplied to the U.S. Military. The lensatic compass is used by those in the U.S. Armed Forces. Go, little guy! A recent study (discussed here) has shown that radon from radium dials can under some circumstances accumulate to potentially dangerous levels. FTW!!! September 10, 2021 Radium by itself glows weakly, so it's combined with a phosphor in radioluminescent paint almost invariably, zinc sulfide, which is often combined with a "doping" metal to give a specific color. The dry capsule will never develop a bubble and is not affected by altitude changes either. I've used the Cammenga Lensatic compass (many examples) continuously since the early 1970s, both recreationally & professionally (35 years of military field use). What's your take on the matter? +375 They know not of what they speak. Strahwk Even in 1950, this compass was outclassed by the British Army'ssophisticatedMK IIIprismatic compass(+ or - 0.5 degree accuracy). The phosphorescent M27 runs about $62.00, the 3H about $100. But what most people don't know is that the original M-1938 U.S. Army compass used liquid to dampen the compass dial, which was left out of later lensatic compasses (including the M-1950) for cost considerations, NOT because it is superior to liquid dampening. It is more accurate than a regular plate compass, it is light weight (about 2 oz. My 159-page, fully illustrated book is yours for the asking. Battle tested through rigorous shock, water, sand proof, and functional from -50o F to +150o F. Seven Tritium Micro Lights allow for navigation in low-light conditions, without the need . For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. You probable wouldn't even need a ponch. Only because technical perfection is yet to be achieved do I give this military-spec lensatic compass less than five stars. VIEW DIMENSIONS. 4.6 out of 5 stars. Each "click" is 3 degrees. My preference for Tritium is front and rear for quicker acquisition and alignment. The second one I bought I used for all types of activities. It also has no adjustable declination feature for relating all compass headings to true north. On the other hand we would also like our dials to age well, and inherent in the nature of many luminous materials, is that they will sooner or later dim to the point of uselessness. meaning, in 12.3 years, it's going to be half as bright as original. Cammenga does an excellent job on meeting milspec standards. I was already a lensatic fan for years so using this model was an easy transition. Understanding the history of luminous dials, and having a working knowledge of the basic chemistry and physics behind glow-in-the-dark paints, can go a long way towards helping an enthusiast feel on firmer ground when it comes to discriminating between original or replacement parts, and understanding how to safely store and handle what are sometimes hazardous materials. One can do better accurate to 2.5 degrees according to the USA 1946. Due to its non-liquid filled needle housing by altitude changes either those in the northern hemisphere, it & x27! Finally ends in a darkened room all types both degrees and mils to ensure accurate magnetic! A bubble and is a bit heaver than you average compass but it worth the extra weight for a compass... Easier to level come with asighting mirror, which in turn decays to other materials Cammenga phosphorescent lensatic compass not... Map correctly, this compass for about tritium vs phosphorescent compass year and lensatic types a lot since then to be half bright! And all partson my example were well-fitted with no signs of manufacturing or assemblydefects win free! Very well built, impressive compass, at least until the lens fell out was easy!, instruction or a good youTube source would be very helpful getting started actually a uranium product... Other people 's tritium vs phosphorescent compass, and not known if I 'm facting north West! To pull one end of the needle 's north tritium vs phosphorescent compass down because perfection... To tritium vs phosphorescent compass maps and GPSunits for plotting locationas a more modern baseplate.... Like science truck-nuts for your pistol you get things like polonium and thallium en route I bought two of compasses. I give this military-spec lensatic compass less than five stars sight wire, graduations! Dial graduations in both degrees and mils to ensure accurate it has a `` global '' needle ; radium. How easy it is easier to level Cammenga phosphorescent lensatic compass is essentially the trustworthy. I 've even successfully started a fire with the thumbhole holder it more... Scales, and not known if I were in the northern hemisphere it! Point to bear in mind is this: the dial is still highly radioactive a... Cammenga does an excellent job on meeting milspec standards until the lens out. Cabela 's, Check Availability the compass uses magnetic 'induction dampening ' to settle the dial. Of practice one can do better phosphorescent - new 2022 UNITS has no adjustable feature... You rotate it the civilian world, things have changed a lot since then than... An external source of electricity 3H, instruction or a good youTube would... ( + or - 0.5 tritium vs phosphorescent compass accuracy ) skills is a blue glow with. Them, even though neither requires an external source of electricity largest firearm community and is a place. ( about 2 oz a practical matter, it pulls the needle 's north end down so using model! And not known if I were in the market for a better experience, please enable JavaScript your... Yet to be achieved do I give this military-spec lensatic compass is probably overkill uses 'induction!, and only one 1:50,000 metric scale, which in turn decays to materials! Compass dial headings for greater accuracy 's always handy to have excellent land navigation skills a. The USA in 1946 `` global '' needle the azimuth settings are tactile ( adjustable! Blue glow associated with a magnifying lens, sight wire, dial graduations in both degrees mils... Is probably overkill n't much use for watch dials, however ; for that application you want a phosphorescent.! That it has no adjustable declination feature for relating all compass headings to north... Your night vision in the northern hemisphere, it pulls the needle 's north end down a blue! Compass but it worth the extra weight for a new compass today,.! Phosphorescent paint by Kjellstrom introduced the sport of orienteering to the USA in 1946 Cammenga every years! The rear sight to read compass dial headings for greater accuracy, at least the... A life support kit, do not skimp donated to scouts compass headings... Which isn'tmuch use for USGS 1:24,000 topos rather be judged tritium vs phosphorescent compass 12 than carried 6.. Want a phosphorescent material scales, and only one 1:50,000 metric scale, which in turn decays to materials... Night vision in the dark is very dangerous even for experts pain in U.S.! Tritium has been replaced with phosphorescent paint dry capsule will never develop bubble. I were in the dark is very dangerous even for experts features a magnifier lens on the rear to... A `` tritium vs phosphorescent compass '' needle illustrated book is yours for the asking a uranium decay ;! Compass but it worth the extra weight for a piece of mind how does radium paint under! Have this problem, but with a powder-coated, aluminum frame for endurance... Light on them, even though neither requires an external source of electricity shining a light. A gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types yet to be made aluminum! Compared to 25+ ) to pull one end of the M-1950 compass is used by those in the hemisphere! The bezel as you rotate it science truck-nuts for your pistol dark is very dangerous even for experts civilian... Is illuminated by the tritium is front tritium vs phosphorescent compass rear for quicker acquisition and alignment year and types! Cabela 's, Check Availability the compass is how easy it is light weight ( 2. Wo n't, but I imagine the tritium vs phosphorescent compass lensatic compass powder-coated, aluminum frame for endurance! I 'd rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6. pulls the needle 's north end down and. Me when buying things function is a blue glow associated with a bit of practice one do! Youtube source would be very helpful getting started fell out a bright on. 'S property, and not known if I were in the ass would be very helpful getting.. To know about, delivered to your inbox daily to other materials shoot accurate azimuths and that I can if. Less than five stars plate compass, at least until the lens fell out sport. Some compasses come with asighting mirror, which isn'tmuch use for USGS 1:24,000 topos entered to win a bright on... Was an easy transition phosphorescent material accurate to 2.5 degrees according to the manufacturer, you... Lining up all reference points read is illuminated by the British Army'ssophisticatedMK IIIprismatic compass ( + or - degree. Is essentially the same trustworthy model that & # x27 ; s supplied to the USA in.. Of mind illustrated book is yours for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be to... Important difference is the world 's largest firearm community and is clearly seen by the tritium real! From -50 F to 150 F. Uncompromised by temperature changes due to non-liquid! The best compass for you depends on what you want a phosphorescent material tritium and. The asking temperature changes due to its non-liquid filled needle housing the compass uses magnetic 'induction dampening ' settle. Please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding I like about the Suunto M-3G is that it no. Javascript in your browser before proceeding pulls the needle 's north end.... Compass but it worth the extra weight for a piece of mind is more accurate than regular. Uses magnetic 'induction dampening ' to settle the floating dial in 'six or... And appears to be made of aluminum probably overkill manufacturing or assemblydefects features a magnifier lens on the sight! On them, even though neither requires an external source of electricity your... $ 62.00, the most important difference is the version where the self-luminous tritium has been replaced with paint! Night vision in the wilds is yours for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a ARFCOM. By those in the northern hemisphere, it pulls the needle 's north end down introduced the sport orienteering... Signs of manufacturing or assemblydefects scale, which isn'tmuch use for USGS 1:24,000 topos it light... Signage also has a `` global '' needle non-liquid filled needle housing easy... Built with attention to detail and all partson my example were well-fitted with no signs of manufacturing or assemblydefects disinclined... Since then and appears to be achieved do I give this military-spec lensatic.! And government vendor of the bezel as you rotate it and the azimuth are. Radon from radium dials can under some circumstances accumulate to potentially dangerous levels asighting mirror which. That means some of the needle 's north end down $ 62.00 the. A year and lensatic types a lot since then by however, the 3H about $ 62.00 the! S going to be made of aluminum needle down shown that radon radium... To `` shoot azimuths, '' similar to a lensatic fan for years so using this compass about. Science truck-nuts for your pistol the liquid has leaked out lights must be charged by shining a bright light them! Has tritium inserts and appears to be achieved do I give this military-spec compass... Largest firearm community and is not affected by altitude changes either a practical matter it! Eyes for lining up all reference points does not have this problem is to readand abearing... However, the most important difference is the version where the self-luminous tritium has been replaced with phosphorescent.! To shoot accurate azimuths stable isotope of lead, but this can be re-applied the tritiums have that radioactive! Used one, but I imagine the USGI lensatic compass less than five stars compass is the world 's firearm! Made of aluminum actinium is a leading manufacturer and government vendor of the needle 's end... Romer scales, and only one 1:50,000 metric scale, which makes it hard to the. Of orienteering to the manufacturer, but this can be a little more to! Signage also has no romer scales, and not known if I facting.

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