![]() The compass dials are off between 7 - 14 degrees or more. I have purchased no less than a half dozen of these military lensatic replicas/styles on eBay and they all have one thing in common. they are nothing but cheapass worthless imitations. They're full of shit! They might look pretty and seem reasonably priced, but if they're made in China, Russia or some other third world country and or they don't have the name of a reliable manufacturer stamped on it. WARNING - BUYERS BEWARE! Don't be mislead by sellers trying to convince you their military "replica" or "style" compasses are just as good or better than a DOD approved military lensatic compass. It must: (a) be in a metal hinged aluminum case, (b) have an induction dampen needle that stops moving in 6 seconds or less, (c) contain no liquids, (d) has a thumb loop for stability, (e) a magnifying lens & sighting bracket for reading the dial in both degrees & mils, (f) and either phosphorescent painted markings requiring external light source or self-luminous markings requiring no external light source. so it can be purchased and used by the US military and assigned a national stock number (NSN 6605-0) so it can be ordered through the US military supply channels. These are the same type you'll find selling on eBay or at some flea market for a few bucks.įor a compass to meet Department of Defense (DoD) standards. "E" is one of many poorly made commercial manufactured military lensatic "replicas" that are only good for determining the four basic cardinal directions of North, East, South and West and nothing more. "D" is one of few commercial manufactured military lensatic "style" compasses that works fairly well but I wouldn't bet my life on it. "C" is a Stocker & Yale, another commercial made lensatic compass that meets DoD standards and is used today by the US military. "B" is a Cammenga, a commercial made lensatic compass that meets DoD standards and is accepted for use by the US military. ![]() "A" is a Tritium, one of the first lensatic compasses to be issued to our troops in the 60's and can still be found in use in the military. Take a look at these compasses below and try to figure out which ones are the good military lensatic compasses and which ones are bad replicas. Some are commercial, some are military and some are military "styles" and "replicas." No, I didn't buy'em to use out in the field, I bought'em to figure out which ones are good, which ones are poor and which ones are bad and nothing but junk. And nope, no way would I ever think of selling or trading it in for another one, no way!īut it's not the only compass I have, I own dozen or so other types of compasses laying around the house somewhere. Yea, it may be a little bit beat up, but only because I've dropped it a few hundred times or more on the ground, but it still works great today. But please don't tell Uncle Sam or the Army I still have it because I lied and told my supply sergeant I lost it when I really didn't. 3rd Plt - 1st Battalion 509th Airborne Battalion Combat Team. In fact, I am still using today the same military lensatic compass that was issued to me back in 1981 when I was a Platoon Sergeant in "C" Co. ![]() It's a great compass, very accurate, durable and easy-to-use with just a little bit of practice. And if there's one piece of US military equipment that has always worked well for me and that was my trusty good ol'US military issued lensatic compass.Īnd no matter where I was deployed in the world, the jungle, desert, forest or in some ass deep snow, I knew I could always count on my US military lensatic compass to guide me and my soldiers to wherever we needed to go. I, too, have spent my share of time in the boonies and know the difference between good & bad equipment. ![]() Like most experienced soldiers who served in an elite Airborne, Ranger or Special Forces unit.
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