A kayak compass is an essential piece of equipment for any kayaker. These best-selling compasses are a great way to keep track of your route and help you find your bearing in the best possible conditions. It’s important to have one on board so that you don’t end up lost without water or food, stranded at sea!
Best 6 Compasses for Kayaking
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1. Seattle Sports Sea Rover Deck Compass for Kayaks
Seattle Sports Sea Rover Deck Compass lets you paddle in a straight line while you are surrounded by fog. Unlike its cheaper versions, Seattle Sports Sea Rover Deck Compass does not make much noise and it is large enough to see it in action from a distance. It sits perfectly still on the deck and the installation process is dead simple. It has got a heavy-duty dome and the markings are easy to read. No need to squint your eyes hard to see the markings which is a great relief. You can get it placed on the deck bag or you can get it to attach to the deck lines. Its elegant base adds to its overall grandeur.
Seattle Sports Sea Rover Deck Compass comes equipped with Quick-release buckles and is built for the marine environment.
2. Sun Company SeaTurtl Kayak Compass
Sun Company SeaTurtl Kayak Compass is a heavy-duty and truly versatile compass specifically designed to offer superior performance in the marine environment. It will not fall off that easily even in the case of a boat capsize; all you have to do is to make sure that it is clipped on to the braces.
Easy to read from a distance, Sun Company SeaTurtl Kayak Compass can be easily mounted on the deck of the kayak. Built for paddleboarding, kayaking, and other similar water sport activities, Sun Company SeaTurtl Kayak Compass comes fitted with adjustable elastic cords that make the mounting process fairly simple and straightforward. When not in use, you should use its adjustable hood to protect your compass from dust and debris.
3. Kayaker by Ritchie Navigation XP-99
Kayaker by Ritchie Navigation XP-99 is heavier than most people tend to believe. It stays stable even when the weather takes a turn for the worse. Ideal for those kayakers who love to paddle for long hours and love to cover a long distance. Armed with this compass, you will be able to travel long distances without losing your way. No matter how bad the situations get, you can still find your way out with this Kayaker by Ritchie Navigation XP-99.
Kayaker by Ritchie Navigation XP-99 has made its mark in the industry by providing accurate information in times of need and by simplifying its operation process to a great extent.
4. Brunton Dash Mount Compass
Brunton Dash Mount Compass can be fitted easily on the bulkhead of your boat or the flush-mount of your kayak easily and effortlessly. Once installed, it looks almost like a factory-installed. The labels are easy to read and the installation process is very simple and straightforward. The alignment of this kayak compass can be changed at will. To get proper fittings, you should purchase a gasket kit.
Trust me, Brunton Dash Mount Compass is not an overkill. It is better to have access to a high-quality kayak compass than not having it when you need it the most. It comes with a limited lifetime warranty which is good.
5. Orienteering Compass
Orienteering Compass is beginners friendly and is known for its precision and speed. Extremely lightweight, Orienteering Compass is ideal for outdoor use. It is a magnetic needle that is extremely precise when it comes to showing the direction. Reading topographic maps will not be an issue anymore with this Orienteering Compass.
Orienteering Compass comes equipped with a magnifier for geological maps and has got a 360-degree rotating bezel. Its magnetic needle works really fast and points to the North in the blink of an eye. Extremely durable, Orienteering Compass can withstand a lot of abuse. Be it hiking, kayaking, or Mountaineering, Orienteering Compass will not let you get lost.
6. Detuck TM Boat Compass Dashboard Marine Compass
Detuck TM Boat Compass Dashboard Marine Compass is a versatile compass that can stand the test of time. Do you love kayaking at the night? Well, Detuck TM Boat Compass Dashboard Marine Compass has got you covered as it stays lit in the night. All you have to do is to get it connected to an external 12V power source.
Detuck TM Boat Compass Dashboard Marine Compass shows the direction you are going and therefore, it should not be confused with any other ordinary compasses that point to the North. This marine compass is easy to mount. To secure it to the dashboard of the boat, you just need to use the double-sided tape.
To improve the overall accuracy of the compass, Detuck TM Boat Compass Dashboard Marine Compass has got two holes that you can use to make adjustments in it.
7. Ritchie Navagation F-50 Explorer Compass
Ritchie Navagation F-50 Explorer Compass is another versatile compass that has got Internal Green Night Illumination to facilitate night excursions. It comes fitted with 12 Volt Green Power light. Ritchie Navagation F-50 Explorer Compass can be read from a distance. Deviations can be checked easily and effortlessly by harnessing the power of its built-in compensators.
To ensure smooth dial, Triple Cup Sapphire Jewel Movement and Steel Pivot are microscopically matched with utmost precision and care. No matter how extreme the situation gets, Ritchie Navagation F-50 Explorer Compass will continue to offer optimal performance. Fast heading lock-on is made possible thanks to the inclusion of Directive Force Magnets in it.
Why You Need a Compass
Kayaking is best done when you’re well-equipped with all the necessities. A kayak compass is a must for any trip, and there are many best-selling options available. Tracking your location on water can be difficult without this important equipment; in addition to helping you navigational issues, it’s vital that you have one onboard so that if something goes wrong–you’ll know where to find help! You may also want to invest in best-selling GPS app which makes it even easier to track your progress.
Kayak Compass Buying Guide
As with most purchases these days, there are tons of options available online- but don’t panic because all hope isn’t lost! If you’re not too sure which one is best for your needs, consider these important factors:
Easy to Remove
One best feature of best kayak compass is that they are easy to remove. This way, if you need to change your course or navigate through a rough spot–you can easily detach the compass and then reattach it at a later time when things have calmed down again. Though, the downside of removable mounts is that they are not as robust as the permanent variants. If you will be using kayak compass on a regular basis, the best option may very well be to go with an attached model.
Angle Measurement
If your kayaking compass includes an angle measurement device then you’ll know how close you are getting to shore or another landmark such as a buoy with less effort than without one. These types of kayaking compasses prove especially helpful for kayaks that have low visibility due to weather conditions like fog, rain or snowfall which obscure landmarks from view; they also work well if you’re kayaking into unknown territory where there aren’t many land marks around–which is often the case when exploring remote waterways far from civilization .
Readability
The kayak compass should be easy to read. This will help you know where the kayaking is headed, so that there are no surprises when it comes time for landings or trying to find a protected cove during bad weather conditions. Reading angle should be easy to read, as should the kayak compass needle. Dial clarity is is also an important consideration when kayak compass shopping. Some people find themselves lost in the middle of their own backyard due to unclear readings on their old outdated models so keep this in mind.
Tie Down
Tie down kayak compass to kayaks with the included straps. The right kayak compass will attach securely, and release quickly so that you can remove it in order to pack up camp as easily as possible.
The kayaker has easy access and visibility of their kayak compass at all times by attaching it permanently onto the kayaking vessel or using a strap-on model for kayak use. Permanent models are typically made from aluminum composite materials which hold up well against both salt water corrosion as well as exposure to UV light–the strongest form of solar radiation experienced here on earth. If you have a permanent variant, make sure to keep these features in mind.
Durability
The kayak compass needs to be durable enough to withstand the kayaking experience. Consider what you will do with your kayak and its kayak compass, or if you are a novice kayaker, ask an expert for advice as to which type of kayaks is best for your specific activity.
Rotation
If you’re out at sea during daylight hours, then having one that rotates freely 360 degrees in any direction can be a boon. However, kayakers who kayak during night hours should keep their compass restricted to 180 degree rotation for the sake of safety and convenience when reading it on deck.
Mounting Option
Some kayak compasses are meant to be permanently affixed onto the kayaking vessel, while others can be used with a strap-on model for kayaks. If you have a permanent variant, make sure to keep these features in mind.
Permanent models
Generally made from aluminum composite materials which hold up well against both salt water corrosion as well as exposure to UV light–the strongest form of solar radiation experienced here on earth; if you have a permanent model, consider what type of kayak it is mounted on and whether or not that kayak will stand up over time without incurring damage (e.g., rust) due to prolonged direct contact with sunlight and seawater when being stored outside.
Strap-on models
Generally made from plastic material, but not rubber. These kayak compasses can be stored and used outside of the kayak without fear of corrosion or exposure to UV light like their permanent counterparts; however, they are also more vulnerable to incurring damage in rough seas–especially if a strap comes loose during use.
