--- product_id: 15551363 title: "M-3 Compass: Quality, Precision Compass for demanding Conditions" brand: "suunto" price: "SAR 382" currency: SAR in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 category: "Suunto" url: https://www.desertcart.com.sa/products/15551363-m-3-compass-quality-precision-compass-for-demanding-conditions store_origin: SA region: Saudi Arabia --- # Luminescent markings for low-light navigation Adjustable declination for true North accuracy Precision needle with liquid damping M-3 Compass: Quality, Precision Compass for demanding Conditions **Brand:** suunto **Price:** SAR 382 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Summary > 🧭 Own Your Path: Navigate Like a Pro, Wherever Adventure Calls ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** M-3 Compass: Quality, Precision Compass for demanding Conditions by suunto - **How much does it cost?** SAR 382 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.com.sa](https://www.desertcart.com.sa/products/15551363-m-3-compass-quality-precision-compass-for-demanding-conditions) ## Best For - suunto enthusiasts ## Why This Product - Trusted suunto brand quality - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - • **Battery-Free Reliability:** Mechanical precision means no batteries, no downtime—always ready when you need it most. - • **Flawless Readability Anytime:** Luminescent dial and magnifying lens guarantee clear bearings even under moonlight or twilight. - • **Lightweight & Ergonomic Design:** At just 1.6 ounces with a sleek baseplate, it’s built for seamless map plotting and all-day carry. - • **Engineered for Rugged Adventures:** Durable Finnish craftsmanship ensures your compass withstands the harshest outdoor conditions. - • **Navigate with Absolute Confidence:** Adjustable declination eliminates guesswork, aligning your compass to true North effortlessly. ## Overview The SUUNTO M-3 is a premium, liquid-damped baseplate compass designed for demanding outdoor conditions. Featuring adjustable declination for true North accuracy, luminescent markings for low-light use, and a magnifying lens for precise map reading, this lightweight compass combines Finnish engineering with over 80 years of heritage. Ideal for hiking, trekking, skiing, and more, it offers reliable, battery-free navigation trusted by wilderness professionals. ## Description Product Description A premium quality precision compass for convenient direction taking even in demanding conditions Set Contains: 1 Compass Review: A compass that points to true North. - This is a review of the Suunto M-3 NH, sold by DIPNDIVE, which I purchased for $31.45 in June 2018. The "NH" in the product name means "Northern Hemisphere". A map on the packaging shows that this model is not recommended for Australia, Antarctica, New Zealand, half of South America, or half of Africa. Also, since no ordinary compass will work well near the magnetic poles, the map seems to show that it is not recommended for the northernmost parts of Alaska, Canada, or Russia. Nothing on the compass itself says Northern Hemisphere. The advantage of the M-3 is its declination adjustment. In my area, the difference between true North and magnetic North is 14.3 degrees. With a regular compass, one has to remember whether the magnetic North pole is to the left or right of the geographic North pole. This gives a lot of opportunity for error. But with the M-3, the user can easily set the declination and all will be well for use in that area. The declination is set by turning a tiny screw. It is on the bottom of the compass at eight O'Clock in the attached image. The scale that shows 14 degree west declination is seen at four O'Clock in the same image. The compass comes with a small non-magnetic screwdriver attached to its lanyard. Adjusting the declination only moves the orienting arrow. The orienting lines do not move. The result is that the compass needle points to magnetic North as always, but the dial indicates true North. I have attached an image of the M-3 sitting on the compass rose of a nautical chart. The chart is "oriented"; meaning that I carefully turned it so that its vertical lines run North and South. Note how the dial is set to North, the baseplate points to true North, and the needle points to magnetic North, which is 14.3 degrees to the left. A negative review of the M-3 described getting a fake Suunto. The compass that I received did not have any of the problems that he described. The needle on my compass is fluid dampened and works nicely. It definitely has a jewel bearing in the center. (Putting a flashlight under the compass shows that the center of the needle is not just metal.) There is no bubble in the fluid. The whole compass is high quality and well made. The luminescent parts of the compass work fine. I suppose this could be useful in moonlight on open ground, where there might be enough light to walk around without a flashlight. But if the night is so dark that you need a flashlight, wouldn't you just use the flashlight to read your compass? The compass comes with a strong plastic clip to connect the lanyard. But it is not needed. It is just as easy to connect the lanyard with a catspaw knot as shown in the attached images. The M-3 is known as a "baseplate" or "Silva System" compass. I find this design much easier to use than a lensatic compass. The Cammenga military compass is more complicated and can be very hard to read. In my opinion, baseplate is the way to go. The size of the M-3 is about 4 5/8" by 2 3/8". The M-3 perfectly agrees with my old Boy Scout compass. I do not see even one degree of difference between them. The reason to buy a Suunto M-3 instead of a $5.00 compass from a big box store is the declination adjustment, and the confidence of having a high quality device that will be sure to work when you really need it. Review: this is a terrific compass at a terrific price - This is with a question one of the very best quality and value combination a compass you could buy. I teach wilderness navigation classes to 150+ students annually, and this is the one compass I recommend for all of them. Other brands such as Brunton and Silva have had some definite quality control issues recently, and I presently cannot recommend these two brands. But Suunto has been producing quality compasses for a long time, and this is a great one. Here's why it's terrific. - ergonomic design. The curved and of the compass is a reminder to always hold this in your hand when taking a bearing, or have that on your current location when you're plotting a bearing on a map. This greatly minimize is the most common mistake when using a compass, which is holding it backwards with the direction of travel arrow pointing it yourself. - adjustable declination, the most important feature. Once your compass is adjusted for your local declination, (which you can easily find with a web search for "magnetic–declination" all bearings are then taken to true north, which eliminates all the confusing backcountry arithmetic. - luminous dial, in two degree increments - well balanced needle that quickly settles on North in a liquid dampened housing - easy to read direction of travel arrow - clear long baseplate, good for using as a straight edged to plot lines. - for those of you wondering if you need a mirrored compass, the answers probably no. A mirror can be handy for backcountry grooming and putting in contact lenses and things like that, but most users will find the tiny bit of extra accuracy and buy a mirror is not needed in most backcountry navigation. A mirror also adds cost, weight, and is one more thing that can break. All in all, this is currently the best compass available at this price point. (and you definitely want to buy this compass on desertcart, at REI I think it is presently $43). ## Features - 100% Plastic - Imported - Adventure Compass: The M-3 compass is a premium quality precision compass for convenient direction taking in demanding conditions; The M-3 is a hardy baseplate compass ready for the challenge - Precise And Reliable: The M-3 NH features a needle blanced for northern hemisphere, adjustable declination, scales in metric and imperial, luminescent markings for low light use, and a magnifying lens on a transparent baseplate for easy use with maps - Stay On Course: Made in Finland, Suunto mechanical compasses help you safely and accurately navigate the great outdoors; Great for Alpine skiing, hiking, trekking, mountain biking, trail running and more - Pioneering Exploration: Combining advanced engineering and thoughtful design with ultra durable materials, our adventure ready compasses are fast, stable, and simple to use; No batteries required - Authentic Heritage: Founded in 1936, Suunto brings over 80 years of high quality heritage craftsmanship, relentless accuracy, and pioneering innovation to our watches, compasses, and dive products ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | ASIN | B00XANJRHG | | Additional Features | Adjustable, Liquid Filled | | Best Sellers Rank | #49,118 in Sports & Outdoors ( See Top 100 in Sports & Outdoors ) #66 in Compasses (Sports & Outdoors) | | Brand | SUUNTO | | Brand Name | SUUNTO | | Customer Reviews | 4.7 out of 5 stars 936 Reviews | | Global Trade Identification Number | 00045235910878 | | Included Components | compass | | Item Dimensions L x W | 7"L x 3.75"W | | Item Type Name | Compass | | Item Weight | 1.6 ounces | | Manufacturer | Suunto | | Manufacturer Part Number | FBA_SS021369000 | | Map Scale | [Various] | | Map scale | [Various] | | Material | Plastic | | Material Type | Plastic | | Model Number | SS021369000 | | Mounting Type | Base Mount | | Number of Items | 1 | | Product Dimensions | 7"L x 3.75"W | | Special Feature | Adjustable, Liquid Filled | | UPC | 045235910878 | | Unit Count | 1 Count | | Warranty Description | 1 year manufacturer | ## Product Details - **Brand:** SUUNTO - **Item Weight:** 1.6 ounces - **Material:** Plastic - **Product Dimensions:** 7"L x 3.75"W - **Special Feature:** Adjustable, Liquid Filled ## Images ![M-3 Compass: Quality, Precision Compass for demanding Conditions - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61DtQAOU7rL.jpg) ## Available Options This product comes in different **Style** options. ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A compass that points to true North. *by J***B on June 26, 2018* This is a review of the Suunto M-3 NH, sold by DIPNDIVE, which I purchased for $31.45 in June 2018. The "NH" in the product name means "Northern Hemisphere". A map on the packaging shows that this model is not recommended for Australia, Antarctica, New Zealand, half of South America, or half of Africa. Also, since no ordinary compass will work well near the magnetic poles, the map seems to show that it is not recommended for the northernmost parts of Alaska, Canada, or Russia. Nothing on the compass itself says Northern Hemisphere. The advantage of the M-3 is its declination adjustment. In my area, the difference between true North and magnetic North is 14.3 degrees. With a regular compass, one has to remember whether the magnetic North pole is to the left or right of the geographic North pole. This gives a lot of opportunity for error. But with the M-3, the user can easily set the declination and all will be well for use in that area. The declination is set by turning a tiny screw. It is on the bottom of the compass at eight O'Clock in the attached image. The scale that shows 14 degree west declination is seen at four O'Clock in the same image. The compass comes with a small non-magnetic screwdriver attached to its lanyard. Adjusting the declination only moves the orienting arrow. The orienting lines do not move. The result is that the compass needle points to magnetic North as always, but the dial indicates true North. I have attached an image of the M-3 sitting on the compass rose of a nautical chart. The chart is "oriented"; meaning that I carefully turned it so that its vertical lines run North and South. Note how the dial is set to North, the baseplate points to true North, and the needle points to magnetic North, which is 14.3 degrees to the left. A negative review of the M-3 described getting a fake Suunto. The compass that I received did not have any of the problems that he described. The needle on my compass is fluid dampened and works nicely. It definitely has a jewel bearing in the center. (Putting a flashlight under the compass shows that the center of the needle is not just metal.) There is no bubble in the fluid. The whole compass is high quality and well made. The luminescent parts of the compass work fine. I suppose this could be useful in moonlight on open ground, where there might be enough light to walk around without a flashlight. But if the night is so dark that you need a flashlight, wouldn't you just use the flashlight to read your compass? The compass comes with a strong plastic clip to connect the lanyard. But it is not needed. It is just as easy to connect the lanyard with a catspaw knot as shown in the attached images. The M-3 is known as a "baseplate" or "Silva System" compass. I find this design much easier to use than a lensatic compass. The Cammenga military compass is more complicated and can be very hard to read. In my opinion, baseplate is the way to go. The size of the M-3 is about 4 5/8" by 2 3/8". The M-3 perfectly agrees with my old Boy Scout compass. I do not see even one degree of difference between them. The reason to buy a Suunto M-3 instead of a $5.00 compass from a big box store is the declination adjustment, and the confidence of having a high quality device that will be sure to work when you really need it. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ this is a terrific compass at a terrific price *by P***D on February 12, 2016* This is with a question one of the very best quality and value combination a compass you could buy. I teach wilderness navigation classes to 150+ students annually, and this is the one compass I recommend for all of them. Other brands such as Brunton and Silva have had some definite quality control issues recently, and I presently cannot recommend these two brands. But Suunto has been producing quality compasses for a long time, and this is a great one. Here's why it's terrific. - ergonomic design. The curved and of the compass is a reminder to always hold this in your hand when taking a bearing, or have that on your current location when you're plotting a bearing on a map. This greatly minimize is the most common mistake when using a compass, which is holding it backwards with the direction of travel arrow pointing it yourself. - adjustable declination, the most important feature. Once your compass is adjusted for your local declination, (which you can easily find with a web search for "magnetic–declination" all bearings are then taken to true north, which eliminates all the confusing backcountry arithmetic. - luminous dial, in two degree increments - well balanced needle that quickly settles on North in a liquid dampened housing - easy to read direction of travel arrow - clear long baseplate, good for using as a straight edged to plot lines. - for those of you wondering if you need a mirrored compass, the answers probably no. A mirror can be handy for backcountry grooming and putting in contact lenses and things like that, but most users will find the tiny bit of extra accuracy and buy a mirror is not needed in most backcountry navigation. A mirror also adds cost, weight, and is one more thing that can break. All in all, this is currently the best compass available at this price point. (and you definitely want to buy this compass on Amazon, at REI I think it is presently $43). ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A great and accurate compass which I consider a "buy it for life" purchase *by M***E on December 15, 2025* A great compass, with a smooth turning action. I used it for 10 days backpacking and have zero complaints. The declination adjustment can be tricky when first using it, but was easy once I figured out I should insert the included mini-screwdriver into the slot, then turn the compass over to look at the faceplate while turning the screwdriver blindly from the back. The best part is it never runs out of power and never needs charging. It just works. And with minimal care I think it will keep working. ## Frequently Bought Together - Suunto Compass White One Size - Wilderness Navigation: Finding Your Way Using Map, Compass, Altimeter & GPS, 3rd Edition (Mountaineers Outdoor Basics) - Be Expert with Map and Compass --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.com.sa/products/15551363-m-3-compass-quality-precision-compass-for-demanding-conditions](https://www.desertcart.com.sa/products/15551363-m-3-compass-quality-precision-compass-for-demanding-conditions) --- *Product available on Desertcart Saudi Arabia* *Store origin: SA* *Last updated: 2026-09-21*