Suunto M-3DL Compass

Hailing from Suunto's M-Series, the M-3DL is a compact, premium-quality precision compass designed for accurate and convenient direction taking. The user-friendly compass features a large, liquid-filled capsule and an adjustable declination correction scale that guarantees a high level of accuracy. Another convenient feature is the serrated bezel ring, which is easy to turn even in cold conditions while wearing gloves. And thanks to the easy-to-read luminous markings and magnifying lens, the M-3DL is ideally suited to navigating in poor visibility. The compass even features a base plate with anti-slip rubber pads for stability and rounded edges for ergonomic comfort in the hand.

The M-3DL employs Suunto's two-zone system to help adventurers find their way anywhere in the northern hemisphere. Previously, most compasses functioned well in only one of five geographic zones. That's because the compasses were balanced differently based on the zone's inclination, i.e., the vertical intensity and direction of the Earth's magnetic field. However, as people began to travel more, it became clear that globe-hoppers needed compasses with a greater geographical range. Suunto's two-zone system, by contrast, considers only the northern and southern hemispheres. In practice, this means that a Suunto compass designed for the northern hemisphere--as the M-3DL is--will still work for a fair distance into the southern hemisphere and vice-versa. Suunto is one of only two compass manufacturers to offer two-zone compasses.