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Silva Compasses

Silva Compasses


Postby davekeiller » Sat Aug 21, 2021 7:35 pm

Has anyone else noticed that Silva Compasses seem more prone to bubbles than they used to be?

I first got a Silva nearly 20 years ago, and it lasted a good 15 years before getting a bubble. By then, I'd upgraded from a Ranger 15 to a type 4, and it was my spare compass, so I wasn't too bothered about a small bubble. The Type 4 lasted about 6 or 7 years before getting a bubble, meaning it was out of warranty so I got a new one this year, which lasted 2 months before getting a bubble.
Cotswold were very good in terms of replacing the brand new compass, but my question is did I just get a duff compass, or are they not as good as they used to be?
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Re: Silva Compasses

Postby Scraggygoat » Sat Aug 21, 2021 10:16 pm

Only twenty years…..my two are going 30+.
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Re: Silva Compasses

Postby Cossiep » Mon Aug 30, 2021 9:20 pm

My Silva Compass is a few years old now and gets a bubble when I’m up at around 1000m. The bubble disappears when I’m back at sea level again.
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Re: Silva Compasses

Postby Csm8 » Thu Sep 02, 2021 10:30 am

Common problem with Silva, go Suunto!
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Re: Silva Compasses

Postby Girl Outdoors » Tue Mar 29, 2022 1:00 am

Hmm please tell me more!

I had a silva for many years that I lost. It was well used and di me well. Then about 3 years ago I purchased a replacement from Go Outdoors. Its recently develeoped a large bubble. No idea why.
I'd be interested in hearing peoples experiences with Suunto compases as until now I've dismissed them as inferiour to trusted Silva. I maybe wrong.
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Re: Silva Compasses

Postby Mal Grey » Tue Mar 29, 2022 7:59 am

Silva are still up there with the best, but Suunto are in my experience arguably slightly better made. Certainly no issues with any of their models that I've used. I have 1 of each, which live in different packs, and the one I keep in the pack likely to be used in more serious terrain is the Suunto.
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Re: Silva Compasses

Postby shinenotburn » Wed Mar 30, 2022 11:34 am

Two Spike Jet Zooms both developed bubbles the size of Smarties on first use which have reduced but not disappeared.

I have a 25 year old Type 4 which has never had a bubble.

Iain.
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Re: Silva Compasses

Postby the-ferret » Wed Mar 30, 2022 12:30 pm

After breaking an old Silva Expedition 4 I bought a like for like replacement 3 years ago. It develops a bubble over the day which disappears when I leave it unused. Im a bit disappointed as I Have always used Silva compasses.
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Re: Silva Compasses

Postby davekeiller » Sun Apr 03, 2022 5:54 pm

That's very similar to what I see.
I think the problem is that the unit isn't sealed properly, so at low temperatures and/or pressures you get a bubble.
I wonder whether Silva have changed their materials slightly (I remember in a different context a few years ago an equipment manufacturer had a problem with x-ray tubes when a batch of the hoses carrying the coolant oil were slightly air permeable).
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Re: Silva Compasses

Postby davy_ludo » Thu Apr 07, 2022 1:09 pm

My Silva type 4 developed a bubble after about 6 years (at first only when above 800m), so I still used it for another 2 years. It got a lot worse though, so I've replaced it with a new Type 4 this year...hopefully lasts longer.
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Re: Silva Compasses

Postby bar72 » Wed Apr 13, 2022 7:56 pm

Had my Silva since 2010 and it's started bubbling since this winter. Once I get down to ground level and the ambient temp is up the bubble's gone. Still works fine though.
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