Suunto A-10

Description

Weight

30 g / 1.06 oz

Key Features

• High-grade steel needle with jewel bearing

• Liquid-filled capsule for quick, stable needle movement

• Fixed declination correction scale

• Metric and inch map scales

• 2° resolution with 2.5° stated accuracy

• Detachable quick-release lanyard

• No batteries required

• Made in Finland

• Available in northern- and southern-hemisphere versions

Why We Like it

The A-10 gets the basics right without turning a compass into a complicated piece of gear. It’s lightweight, easy to read, and has everything most hikers actually need for traditional navigation. At 30 grams, there’s little reason to leave a real compass behind just to save weight.

The Tradeoff

This is a deliberately simple compass. The declination correction is fixed rather than adjustable, and there’s no mirror, magnifying lens, or illuminated markings. For straightforward hiking and map navigation, that’s not necessarily a problem—but users who regularly navigate in low light or need more advanced features may want to step up to a more feature-rich compass.

Who it’s for

Hikers, backpackers, scouts, and anyone who wants a lightweight backup to GPS—or simply prefers navigating with a map and compass.

Rikkar Take

30 grams for a real compass is hard to argue with. The A-10 is the kind of piece of gear we like at Rikkar: simple, proven, and focused on doing one job well. It won’t replace a more advanced compass for serious navigation, but for the ultralight hiker who wants dependable direction-finding without carrying a bunch of extras, it’s an excellent fit.