What type of compass is commonly used for orienteering?

The Silva compass is a specific type of compass designed primarily for orienteering, which involves navigation and land navigation using topographic maps. This compass is characterized by its clear base plate, which allows it to be easily aligned with a map, and features such as a rotating bezel for precise bearing adjustments and a mirror for sighting distant landmarks. The design facilitates quick and accurate readings, making it especially well-suited for outdoor activities where efficient navigation is essential.

While other compasses like the gyrocompass, magnetic lensatic compass, and electronic compass also serve navigational purposes, they are not as specialized for the specific skills required in orienteering. The gyrocompass, for example, is more often used in naval navigation due to its reliance on gyroscopic principles and is less practical for typical outdoor navigation challenges. The magnetic lensatic compass is used by military personnel and has different mechanisms for achieving accuracy and field use, making it less user-friendly than the Silva in an orienteering context. An electronic compass, while helpful, often relies on batteries and is generally considered less reliable in the field compared to the more traditional, reliable design of the Silva compass. Thus, the Silva compass is the most commonly associated and effective choice for orienteering enthusiasts