Review for Suunto M3 Compass w/ Bezel Rings & Navigation SS004307001

Author: hoffmmd {!} , Outdoor enthusiast and Technology geek., from McKinney, TX on Apr 29, 2009
Pros:  Excellent Compass for A Great Price
Cons:  Does NOT have the global needle as described and only the global version has the clinometer even though Suunto says that both versions should have it.
Would recommend:  yes

hoffmmd wrote:

This is an excellent compass for a great price. It has a great feature set, is very accurate, and easy to use. WARNING! Before you purchase you should know, however, that this compass comes in two versions. The M3-G version (SSUM3GIN) has a global needle and the M3-D version (SS004307001) is intended for the northern hemisphere. This could cause serious problems for someone who intends to use this a decent distance south of the equator. Several (5) customer service agents and "technical specialists" from OpticsPlanet assured me that this was the version with the global needle. Of course when it arrived, it was not. The only course of fixing this that OpticsPlanet would offer was to return it. They were all very friendly, but why order in the first place if you are just going to have to return it. Also, according to Suunto AND the instructions that come with the compass, both versions have a built in clinometer. THIS IS NOT TRUE! Only the M3-G has the built in clinometer. Again, this is a GREAT compass and at a better price than you would pay for another of lesser quality and fewer features. Just be careful that you know what you are getting before you order because they don't know what they are selling.