Orca Compass

Orca POS number 3 or 4 I forgot. I have another one that was babied and now I see fluid leaving and a bubble forming. These things are high priced JUNK. Never left in the sun unless being used. Stored in dock box which is in the shade to boot. Just bought a Bruton also. Will get a Ritchie and make my own base to fit the peaked decks of my Current Designs Libra XT, Solstice GT, and my Extreme GTS. If you can find one for .25 cent buy one. Over that they are not worth it. Well even at that price you don't want one because it may fail just when you need it.

update from Aug post. (see below)
Suunto has yet to send me a compass to replace mine. They ask for pictures and the bill of sale which I forwarded to UT address. I mailed the defective compass where they ask using USPS. After 3 weeks I call to see what happen and they tell me they don't use USPS and don't pick up at the address they told me to send it to. Then they said the RMA number is not right but it is what they gave me. They said they will look after week to see if they can find it.

They could not find it so they ask me where I sent it and they told me it was the wrong service center LOL they told me. They can't find it so I mail them the delivery conformation from USPS. They jerk me around for weeks going back and forth. Ten emails and probably over an hour on phone. Then they finally say they will for good send another one. Gee thanks they screwed up everything. After two weeks the mail one from Finland and it is different as there are lose bungees and hooks and a base plate with two screws. No clue where the bungees go as there are no holes in the plastic base like the first one. So now they what a picture of what they sent LOL I said don't you know what you sent? They want a picture of it sent. I told them no I gave them the model number on the box and described it. It is not on the USA website. I sent them a link from their website as to what I have.

So that is where I am since Aug and it is now Nov. After every email of phone call they want a survey LOL. This is the most dysfunctional company I have ever dealt with in my life. I will see what they say this week. They have to escalate it they keep telling me. You can buy it on Ebay for 39 new so what did it cost them to make less than 10 bucks? They spend on ton on time with all the BS so far. I said you need to email me a shipping label and I will send what you sent back and send me what I linked them to from there website. Now it is a matter of principle but truthfully I would rather be lost at sea.they suck

Because I don't need to use a compass around here, the removability of the Orca is a plus. It's easy to put on for locations where I do need a compass on deck. I also like to remove everything from the deck when transporting my kayak. Aside from that, I like to place the compass closer to me than way ahead in the kayak's compass recess. It's easier to read this way.

I checked the Orca against two Silva hiker compasses, one of them purchased about 20 years ago. All three matched. Big thumbs up for this reasonably priced, flexible-use product.

I own a P & H capella RM 166 which has a built in recess for a Silva compass. I liked the location so got some sturdy black foam and cut it to 95x95mm, and 40mm high at one side down to 3mm at the other-a wedge shape. I used small velcro pieces(stick-on)and this now gives a level foam platform to put the compass on. I had to modify the bungees and used the existing deck fittings in a 3-way style but the result is pretty damn good..oh- the compass is a quality bit of kit too, my only problem is that the rubber housing is a little too soft and distorts if too much stress is placed on it (over-tight bungees etc). Suunto seem to make a plastic cleat which can be screwed to the deck, which the body of the compass can be stretched over and held in place with 4 plastic pins going through the (now clear) bungee holes, but I don't fancy doing this permanent damage, others may if they can track down the cleat!

I'm well pleased with the Orca. It mounts quickly and easily on the deck of my Pungo with the addition of some rigging lines to the boat. It's very very easy to adjust the bungee for mounting differences...you can either retie or just twist for a temporary fit. After having dragged this compass around the wilderness for a few days, I'd say it's durable. Great product.

I picked this compass up based on the size, price and reputation of the manufacturer. Just a couple of notes. Suunto states that the minimum spread between the hooks should be 17". This is not an absolute since all you need do is turn the compass over, untie the bungee, shorten it and tie it again. The plastic snap hooks that are supplied are just a tad bulky but they are easy to use. The only real complaint I had was the rubberized plastic housing had a little upward point molded into it in the front. this point actually obstructs the view of the graduations on the dial but a quick slice with a fresh razor blade took the nib off and now it's readable from low angles. Seems durable and can be moved from boat to boat effortlessly.