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HomeEquipmentCompassesSuunto MB-6 Matchbox Compass |
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|  | | | Customer Reviews: | | | Average Customer Review:
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0 of 2 found the following review helpful:
 cheap but convenient Mar 30, 2010
I purchased this compass to use for making orienteering maps. The main problem is that the needle is very shaky, but it is nevertheless possible to sight accurate bearings. The other drawback is that it has no straight-edge, and only a small window of transparency, so you really need a separate angle tool to plot bearings on a map. The two big plusses are the price and the compactness.
7 of 7 found the following review helpful:
 Classic, Compact Compass Design Nov 18, 2009
The Suunto MB 6 is a classic military design, of Swiss manufacture, originally issued to officers during WWII. (The basic design has had periodic upgrades since then, of course.) The back of the case is stamped "Swiss Made Recta Patented DP 6". A very similar DP 5 model was at one time manufactured for Victorinox, in their Classic Red, as the "Swiss Army Compass" and is now a collector's item.
The compass itself is mounted on a drawer that slides in and out of a sturdy "matchbox" style case. This case - closed - is actually about 25%-30% larger in all dimensions than an actual matchbox but quite compact enough for pocket carry. When the compass "works" are pulled out for use the drawer mechanism snaps firmly into place. There are "gunsights" on top of the case and a mirror drops down below the transparent base of the compass dial for precise prismatic sighting when desired. The Suunto/Recta MB/DP 6 also includes a clinometer for checking heights and slope angles.
Two characteristics of the MB 6 are worth mentioning. I do not believe that either of them detracts from the quality of this compass but - depending on what a buyer is looking for - might influence their decision.
First, no compact compass design can include the scales and map-tools that the full sized base-plate compasses sometimes have, and the MP 6 is no exception. SERIOUS map-work wants a dedicated military style protractor anyway, in my opinion. But if you want your compass to do it all a larger full-featured base-plate compass might be your better choice. (Brunton's Eclipse 8099 or Silva's Ranger 515 come to mind).
The second thing buyers should know is that sliding the compass drawer (and especially the mirror) in and out of the "matchbox" is just a bit noisy and the mirror even rattles (just a little) when the compass is closed. None of this is any problem for a walk in the woods but it might be an issue for hunters or anyone else for whom stealth is a priority.
I have used a number of compasses, both plain and fancy. This one is well designed, well constructed and has just about everything you could want in a compact package.
6 of 6 found the following review helpful:
Suunto MB-6 Compass =perfect mid-range product Dec 15, 2008
The Suunto MB-6 compass works for both the recreational user and the serious orienteer. It is accurate, reliable, easy to quickly read and its matchbox case protects the compass and provides a small footprint that fits easily in a pocket or can be conveniently worn on its lanyard around the neck. Moderately priced (list $60). This is a great all-purpose compass for those wanting more than a $10 toy and less than a $200 "professional instrument."
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