Silva Expedition Compass

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Silva’s classic Expedition series has a new and improved model. All the great features remain while the improvements allow easier use in the worst conditions and a few extras to make your navigation easier.

Silva says

The SILVA Expedition Series is for experienced users and professionals. The Expedition series has been a global leader when it comes to accuracy, precision and durability for many years. The SILVA Expedition Series comes with two completely new features: a Slope card and a Scale lanyard.

SILVA Expedition features easy-handling Dryflex™ housing, silicon rubber feet for precision map work, detachable safety-release lanyard, night-enabling luminous markings, magnifying lens, a clinometer for measuring slope angle, map-measuring scales in mm or inches, 1:25,000, 1:50,000 and GPS scales, plus built-in adjusters for magnetic declination (including permanent local adjustment). The Expedition can also map-measure 1:40,000.

The slope card is great both for detecting avalanche risk and for determining how challenging your journey will be. By knowing the slope you can also judge any extra distance that you need to go due to the slope. The scale lanyard has two scales on it; 1:25, and 1:50, which facilitates to measure the distance of your hike. Since its soft and bendable it’s easy to place it directly on to your route on the map. The new graphics contain a more distinct arrow (Expedition) and also a more contemporary font.

If you are in need of a traditional baseplate compass with high-end features, the Expedition should be your choice. If the terrain demands for a mirror sighting compass Expedition S is your optimal companion.

Our Verdict

Silva’s Expedition Compass is a clear upgrade on the old Expedition 4. With all of the usual features still included; magnifier, silicon grip feet, ruler, scale lines covering 1:25000, 1:40000 and 1:50000. This version also has had the direction of travel arrow redesigned to make it much quicker and easier to line up, a thicker base plate making it more durable and thicker bevel that is much easier to use with thick winter gloves. I personally prefer the location of the degrees on the original as I feel I can be more accurate reading and walking on them but that’s just a little point.

The addition of scale markings on the lanyard are excellent for quickly measuring distances while planning and out in the hills, then the extra clinometer card that is included for assessing slopes and their impacts on your timings is pretty useful too.

– Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear

Features

• NEW / AND IMPROVED -Upgraded version
• Scale lanyard – 2 scales, soft and bendable, easy to place directly on to your route on the map. 
• Slope card – Calculate avalanche risk, determine how challenging your journey will be 
• New graphics – More distinct, easier to read

Specifications

• Weight: 50g
• Attachment: Detachable safety-release scale lanyard
• Clinometer: Yes
• Declination adjustment: Permanent adjustment for local magnetic declination
• Magnifying lens: Yes
• Scales: 1:25k, 1:40k, 1:50k, GPS scales, Lanyard; 1:25, / 1:50, mm, inch
• Silicon friction feet: Yes
• Variant: Magnetic Equator, Magnetic South, Magnetic North
• Slope Card: Yes