I use this item in my hobby--hunting and reporting on old survey benchmarks.
It gives me accuracy of approximately 1.5d.Most of the time I use it hand-held, but I have also mounted it on a tripod for doing simple triangulation (resections) on survey marks and their reference points.
One problem I've noticed is the difficulty of pressing and holding the needle release button when taking bearings.The button is small and hard to depress all the way, since it digs into your finger.If it is only partially depressed, an innaccurate reading will result.
The ability to sight along a tape on the ground and take its bearing (using the longer extended sight and the transparent "window" on the other side of the transit) is quite useful to me.
It sort of scares me that this expensive block of aluminum has no way of accepting a lanyard or other safety restraint, and so I keep worrying that I will drop it off a cliff or something.I find the bulky carrying case not useful, since my belt us usually under a pack strap anyway. Thus for quick bearings, I use a simpler baseplate compass, that I can also carry in my breast pocket and which won't send my to the poorhouse if it has to be replaced.
Expensive, but it's the standard...maybe I'll have to become a geologist to make fuller use of it..!
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Brunton Geo Pocket Transit Compass with 0-360 Degree ScaleProduct Description: The ultimate compass for professionals on the move, the Brunton Geo Pocket Transit International is compact, versatile, and precise. The billeted aluminum, waterproof compass contains a fast, magnetic-north-seeking, rear earth magnet that's balanced on a sapphire jewel bearing for quick measurements. The most conspicuous feature is the hinge inclinometer--accurate to +/- 2 degrees--that allows you to take simultaneous trend and plunge measurements to save time and effort. The Geo Pocket Transit also includes two long-level bubbles on the outside of the aluminum housing for no-guess leveling from the sides or the bottom. And thanks to the innovative needle design--which can be locked or unlocked, depending on your requirements--it's easy to take both strike measurements and azimuth readings.
The compass also takes vertical angle measurements to +/- 90 percent (or 100 percent grade), with 5-percent grade scale increments. And users needn't worry about imprecise results, as the compass's vertical and azimuth readings are accurate to within +/- 1/2 degree (with 1-degree graduations and 10-minute readability for both). Additional features include "Buck Horn" style sights for increased accuracy, a single NdFeB magnet that resists demagnetization better than other magnets, a cover hinge assembly designed for increased durability, a precision-aligned mirror with convenient "see-through" sighting capability, and magnetic declination adjustment with east and west declination settings to 180 degrees.
The Geo Pocket Transit, which boasts a 0-to-360-degree scale and comes with an attractive leather case, measures 3.62 by 2.81 by 1.31 inches (W x H x D) and is backed by a lifetime warranty.
What's in the Box? Geo Pocket Transit International compass, leather case, user's manual.
Buy cheap Brunton Geo Pocket Transit Compass with 0-360 Degree Scale now
I find it extremely useful in the most unexpected situations to have a flashlight handy most of the time.This one is a dandy size for carrying in a vest or coat pocket so it's always in ready reach.It's not as bright as Coast's "3 button cell" light of similar size, but it's *plenty* bright for most things (seeing to walk in a blackout, reading labels on the back of a computer under a desk, you know:the usual stuff :), and AAA batteries are much more readily available than button cells are, not to mention cheaper.
