Brunton TruArc3 Global Compass

Baseplate Map Compass

The Brunton TruArc3 Global is a baseplate compass, a clear flat plate with a rotating dial, built for taking bearings off a paper map and following them across open country. It covers the basics of land navigation in a light, simple package that is easy to learn on. Hikers, hunters, scouts and anyone adding a backup to a GPS will find it a sensible first compass or a dependable spare.

Features

• Global Needle — The needle is designed to settle and read correctly in both the northern and southern hemispheres, so the compass travels with you.
• Rotating Bezel — The outer dial is marked 0 to 360 degrees with fine graduations and turns on a textured gray grip that is easy to work with cold or gloved fingers.
• Declination Scale — A yellow East and West declination scale inside the dial lets you account for the difference between magnetic north, where the needle points, and true north on your map.
• Red North Needle — The north end of the needle is bright red and sits over orienting lines in the capsule, so lining it up to take a bearing is quick.
• Clear Acrylic Baseplate — The transparent plate lets you see the map underneath while you line up routes and landmarks.
• Inch And Centimeter Rulers — Edge scales in inches on one side and centimeters on the other help you measure distances on a map.
• Direction-Of-Travel Arrow — A bold arrow printed on the baseplate shows which way to walk once you have set your bearing.
• Lanyard Attachment Point — A cord hole at the base of the plate lets you hang the compass around your neck or tie it to a pack strap.
• Made In USA — The baseplate is marked Made in USA, and Brunton is based in Riverton, Wyoming.

Build And Use

The TruArc3 pairs a sealed needle capsule with a grippy rubberized bezel ring on a flat, see-through baseplate. That layout works well for basic map and compass work: lay the edge between two points, turn the dial until the orienting lines match the map's north, then follow the arrow. The low profile slips into a chest pocket or map case without adding bulk.