Can anyone recommend a compass that doesn't develop a bubble at high altitude?

Question

I have three compasses and each developed bubbles at 4000m elevation (photo below).

Even the nifty Suunto had a bubble on the first trip. The best was the Silva (on the right of the photo), which developed a bubble only after a few trips to the mountain. These bubbles disappear again at sea level, but I am concerned about accuracy when used at this altitude.

Can anyone recommend a compass that doesn't develop bubbles?

Good question. Apparently many people think that the bubble needs to be there, but that seems to be wrong. I do remember though that I have read in the manual of my compass that a small bubble that exists under certain pressure conditions is nothing to worry about. Can't find the source for that, though. — PMF, Aug 05 '22 at 11:10
Related: Compass bubbles: what to do about pesky air pockets in your compass fluid. Note that you can get a digital compass such as this although I am not making an actual recommendation. — Weather Vane, Aug 05 '22 at 13:40
@WeatherVane Thank you for the pointer to digital compasses. I didn't know they existed. I'll try to read up about their accuracy. I've also found compasses with thermo-elastic capsules, like the Kasper-Richter M1, but these seem to be sold out. — Norbert S, Aug 06 '22 at 04:34
Does this answer your question? Is it normal for a compass to develop an air bubble at high altitude? — Martin F, Aug 12 '22 at 17:49

score 3 · Answer 1 · answered Aug 11 '23 at 21:22

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Cammenga makes inductance-damped compasses that don't have liquid, so no bubbles.

answered Aug 11 '23 at 21:22

Steve

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Can anyone recommend a compass that doesn't develop a bubble at high altitude?

1 Answers1