Silva Ranger 2.0 Compass Review

Pros / Reasons to Buy

• Precise Direction Finding
• Durable Construction
• Ingenious Lanyard

Cons / Reasons to Avoid

• Requires Experience to Use
• Bulky Design
• Northern Hemisphere Needle Only

Verdict

The Silva Ranger 2.0 Compass is an extremely good piece of kit.  It’s made from high-quality materials, and with an accuracy of 1 degree, it is the most precise compass we tested.  The lanyard with the incorporated declination tool and scale markings is very clever.  We also liked the way the end of the compass is curved to fit comfortably in your hand with no sharp corners.  The Silva Ranger 2.0 Compass has all the extra features you could need, including luminous markings, a clinometer, a slope card, a magnifying lens, and adjustable declination.

Compare to Similar Products

• Suunto A-10 Compass
• Suunto MB-6 Compass
• Read our full guide: 8 Best Hiking Compasses

Analysis and Test Results

The Silva Ranger 2.0 Compass has clear and well-defined degree markings and a sighting mirror, allowing for accurate and confident navigation.  Built with sturdy materials, the Silva Ranger 2.0 Compass is designed to withstand rugged outdoor use and adverse weather conditions.  Beginners may find the sighting mirror and advanced features challenging to use without adequate training and practice.  The compass’s solid construction contributes to its bulkier size, which might be less convenient for those seeking a more compact and lightweight navigation tool.

Performance Comparison

Type

The Silva Ranger 2.0 Compass is a baseplate compass designed for outdoor navigation.  Its transparent baseplate and mirror allow for easy map reading and determining direction over long distances.  Hold the compass at eye level with the mirror tilted to a 45° angle when using this compass to take a sighting.  The mirror has a handy sighting cross, and the horizontal part of the sighting cross should align with the center of the compass housing.  This means you can check your bearing by looking at the bezel in the mirror while checking the correct direction of travel at the sighting cross and sight. 

The Silva Ranger 2.0 Compass needle is housed in a liquid-filled capsule.  The first baseplate compass that used a liquid-filled capsule to damp the swing of the magnetized needle was invented in 1933 by the three brothers Björn, Alvar, and Arvid Kjellström, who founded the Silva brand.  Compasses at the time took about 30 seconds to settle, whereas the Silva took only four seconds.  Silva have been making compasses ever since, and they have built an international reputation for quality.

The Silva Ranger 2.0 Compass comes with some extra features.  There is a slope card and a clinometer, which are helpful both for determining avalanche risk and for judging how challenging your journey will be.  Knowing how steep the gradient will be means you can calculate any extra distance that you need to go due to the slope.

The Silva Ranger 2.0 Compass has adjustable declination.  This is a popular feature as it means you don’t have to constantly make adjustments for the difference between magnetic north and true north, and you can follow your compass with confidence.  A declination adjustment screw is located on the bezel, and when you pull apart the safety catch on the lanyard, you will find a small screwdriver inside the safety.  Once you have found the declination variance from your map, you simply turn the screw on the bezel.  Keep turning the screw until the bottom side of the north arrow is pointing at the designated number on the declination scale found on the bottom half of the compass dial.  The screw and screwdriver are quite small, so you may find it fiddly, but we found the system works well.

Increments and Scales

The Silva Ranger 2.0 Compass has clear and precise increments of 2 degrees, with an accuracy of 1 degree.  The degrees are in black writing on an orange background or in white writing on a black background, depending on which model you choose.  We liked the styling of the Silva Ranger 2.0 Compass with the orange bezel, but it’s a matter of personal preference.  The straight lefthand side of the compass is marked in inches, whilst the straight righthand side is marked in millimeters.  The bottom center of the compass has three Romer scales: 1:25k, 1:50k, and 1:24k.  The compass also comes with a lanyard that has four scales on it: 1:24k, 1:25k, 1:50k, and 1:62.5.  The flexibility of the lanyard makes it easy to measure a hike on a map. 

Durability

The Silva Ranger 2.0 Compass boasts excellent durability.  It has a thick transparent acrylic plastic baseplate that feels solid in your hand.  The compass’s solid build and water-resistant features contribute to its longevity and reliability, ensuring consistent performance during outdoor expeditions.  The mirror also serves as a lid that protects the compass.

Ease of Use

The Silva Ranger 2.0 Compass is designed with user-friendliness in mind.  Its straightforward design and clear degree markings make it easy for beginners and experienced navigators to use.  The sighting mirror aids in precise direction finding, enhancing accuracy.  However, some users may require practice to be able to fully utilize the compass’s advanced features effectively.  The compass has a curved end designed to fit comfortably in your hand.  The Silva Ranger 2.0 Compass comes with a lanyard with a breakaway catch in case the compass catches on something.  The lanyard also had scales marked on it that can be used to measure a route on a map that isn’t straight.  The baseplate of the compass has a handy magnet for precision map work.  A DryFlex rubber grip around the bezel gives an excellent grip and makes it easy to turn.  There are three silicon rubber friction feet on the bottom of the compass so the compass won’t slide around when placed on a map.

Region and Needle

The Silva Ranger 2.0 Compass is set up for the Northern Hemisphere.  The needle is made from Swedish steel with high-quality magnetic features.  The needle is in a capsule filled with Silva’s customized formula anti-static liquid.  To minimize friction, the needle is set on a sapphire jewel bearing and a hardened steel pivot.  We found that the needle moved smoothly and efficiently and settled quickly.

Luminosity

The Silva Ranger 2.0 Compass has luminous markings to enhance readability in low-light or nighttime conditions.  As well as two luminous dots on either side of the orientation arrow, there are also luminous markings on the north end of the needle, the index line, the sight, and the pivot of the needle.  The luminous markings must be charged by daylight or a torch, and the glow will last about 4 hours.

Size

The Silva Ranger 2.0 Compass is an average size for a mirror baseplate compass.  It measures approximately 4.3 inches (10.9 cm) in length, 2.5 inches (6.4 cm) in width, and 0.75 inches (1.7 cm) deep, making it easy to store in gear or pockets during a hike.

Weight

The Silva Ranger 2.0 Compass is designed to be lightweight for comfortable use during extended outdoor activities.  It typically weighs around 4.5 ounces (127.5 grams), which is slightly more than comparable compass but still very light.

Price

The Silva Ranger 2.0 Compass falls into the mid-to-upper price range, reflecting its high-quality construction and advanced features.  While it may require a more significant investment compared to basic compass models, its durability, precision, and global needle functionality offer good value for money.

Conclusion

The Silva Ranger 2.0 Compass is a well-made, reliable, and versatile compass that is great for hiking.  Its baseplate design, with a transparent base and orienting lines, allows for direct map reading.  The sighting mirror also contributes to its accuracy.  We liked having the sighting lines on the mirror.

While the compass may have a slight learning curve for inexperienced users, its well-defined degree markings and intuitive design make it user-friendly for both beginners and experienced hikers.  The Ranger 2.0 compass’s compact size, lightweight build, and luminous features add to its usability.

It’s durable construction and water-resistant capabilities ensure long-lasting performance in rugged outdoor environments, making it a reliable compass.  It was the most accurate compass we tested, and we found the adjustable declination system simple to use.

Although the Silva Ranger 2.0 Compass falls into the mid-to-upper price range, its durability, precision, and advanced functionalities justify the investment for those looking for a good hiking compass.