by John Fenna
Magazine: Gun Mart
Date: November 2005
BARIGO MODEL 16 COMPASS
When you are out in the wild countryside a good compass can mean all the difference between getting lost (with results ranging from dying on a barren hillside to being late for a restaurant booking…) and finding your way accurately and thereby enjoying your day out.
ClimbHigh
The Barigo Model 16 Compass is of the better kind of orienteering compass design with a massively thick 18mm (3/4”) Acrylic baseplate/housing which, unlike some, is almost impossible to break, and incorporates a smoothly turning capsule containing the North/South indicating needle, which is oil dampened for ease of use. Around the rim of the capsule the degree markings are in white on green for easy reading, and the bottom of the capsule is marked with an easy-to-see red North/South arrow and parallel lines, as well as magnetic variation adjustment declination measures. Index marks (“bearing points”) on the housing allow easy and accurate use of the compass in the field. These, as well as the North end of the magnetic needle and the index mark/direction of travel marked, are luminous for ease of use of the compass in the dark.
The Model 16 Compass comes in a very stylish moulded leather case with a copper coloured press-stud closure which, as well as protecting the compass, incorporates a mirror and viewing window so that you can use the compass as a “sighting” type compass, looking over the “bearing points” and through the window at eye level and checking the bearing in the mirror above. This results in greater accuracy than holding the compass lower, as you do with most orienteering type compasses.
The whole of the interior base of the case is lined with a luminous sheet to make life easier in the dark, while the compass has a leather neck lanyard which feeds through the case so that both compass and case are secure.
My only criticisms are the lack of “romers” or scales which make using a compass with a map so much easier, and the fact that the unbreakable mirror is metal and therefore has some effect on the needle when the lid is closed, making it impossible to use the compass when the case is closed. These are minor niggles – but I do like a moan!
The Barigo Model 16 Compass is an excellent and very stylish navigational tool measuring approx 83 x 55 x 35 mm closed, weighs approx 125 gms, comes with an instruction manual and costs around £65.
The “country” looks of the smart and functional leather case, combined with the modernistic looks of the compass housing make this navigation tool highly attractive in both form and function.
For more information contact ClimbHigh
Tel 0871 98 99 818
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