BRUNTON TRUARC 10

Weight 60 grams

Map scales 1:25k, 1:50K, 1:24k, 1:62.5k, 1:63.36k Declination adjustment yes Features global needle, reversible slide scale, GPS confidence circles, magnified readout, lanyard

The TruArc 10 is a good compass with a number of quirks that make some aspects a little difficult to use. Good points are the knurled grip round the capsule, five Romer scales, the ruler that slides off so you can have centimetres or inches on top, the magnified bearing readout (I really like this), and the declination adjustment. Whilst the latter is good the instructions are not easy to follow and not the easiest way to make the adjustment. I found a simpler way once I’d figured out what was meant to happen.

The TruArc has a global needle, which means it’ll work fine anywhere in the world – most compasses are set for one hemisphere only. The needle is also heavily dampened and doesn’t move when you’re moving fast. The video on the Brunton website says it’s not affected by phones or other electrical devices. This is not so with the test model. Bring it near a phone and the needle swings ten degrees or more. The housing below the capsule isn’t transparent, which makes lining up the orienting lines with the grid lines on a map not so easy.

The Romer scales are useful if you use the compass abroad with different scale maps (1:24k and 1:63.5k are used in the USA). They do clutter the base plate somewhat, but I haven’t found this a problem. The baseplate doesn’t have a magnifier, though, which I miss.

Strange-looking cut-outs along one side of the baseplate are GPS confidence circles. Each has a map scale and a distance in feet marked. Apparently, if your GPS says you are 150 feet from somewhere and your map is 1:50k you can use the circle to locate the area in which it should lie.

One side of the TruArc is curved. This makes it easy to hold but means there’s only one straight edge for taking bearings.

Also consider Silva Ranger Global 33g £40

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