Cammenga Official US Military Tritium Lensatic Compass

Curated from 48 real Reddit conversations

Refreshed on: April 2, 2025

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Cammenga Official US Military Tritium Lensatic Compass

Brand: Cammenga
Price: $103
Snoop Score:
8.1
Sentiment
7.9
Popularity
9.5
Technical
7.5
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Snoop's Take

The Cammenga Official US Military Tritium Lensatic Compass is a high-precision navigational tool designed for outdoor enthusiasts and professionals. Built to military standards, this compass ensures reliability and accuracy in various environments, making it a staple for hiking, camping, and survival situations. Users have expressed a strong appreciation for the compass's durability and self-illumination features, with one stating, "it is still self illuminating, no flashlight needed (so far)." Many reviews highlight its rugged construction and accuracy, emphasizing that it's considered the standard for compasses. However, some users note the existence of cheaper alternatives and the compass's limitations for global navigation, indicating it may not suit everyone's needs. Overall, the Cammenga Tritium Compass is highly recommended for serious outdoor activities due to its reliability and military-grade construction, making it an excellent investment for those who require precision and durability in their navigational tools.

Not for you? Check out our other rated Compasses

They're expensive but worth it.

Positive Feedback

It's a cheap lensatic compass. The U.S. Army still issues something similar.

Negative Feedback
Product
8.1
Cammenga Official US Military Tritium Lensatic Compass
Buy on Amazon for $103
Hiking & Backpacking
10 / 10
Orienteering & Map Reading
7 / 10
Scout Training & Education
5 / 10
Emergency & Survival
10 / 10
See how this compares to all Compasses

What it does well!

Key strengths users can’t stop talking about.
Cammenga compasses are reliable and worth the investment.
“They're expensive but worth it.”➕
“I find this type of compass simple to use.”➕
“This one looks a lot cheaper than the 3H.”➕
Reliable self-illumination feature
“It is still self illuminating, no flashlight needed (so far).”➕
“maybe some glow tape , so you can actually read the dial in low to no light.”➕
“Thanks! I tried it in a dark room at a few different times and it passes this test, so it looks like it's using tritium.”➕
Durable and built to military standards
“I am debating what reference or conversion to stick here.”➕
Highly accurate and reliable
“Obviously tritium powered as well.”➕
“Most accurate that ive used.”➕
Standard for compasses
“Pretty much the standard for compasses”➕
Authentic tritium usage
“The real ones have it due to the tritium.”➕
Accurate and reliable for navigation
“It's ruggedized, accurate, visible at night, and has a rotating bezel for setting/storing azimuths.”➕
“Since they are transparent it also gives you more options for plotting your azimuth.”➕
Durable construction for harsh conditions
“Cammenga’s housing is aluminum. Along with the tritium, it will definitely last longer in harsh conditions.”➕
“It’s pretty cheap and has tritium gas tubes on the hands with standard lume paint on the dial.”➕
Highly durable for extreme conditions
“these things go to and come back from wars.”➕
Useful flat design for map reading
“Unfolded, it lays flat and has marks along the side and the end, so you can use it as a protractor for map reading.”➕
Best compass seen by user
“It's the best compass I've ever seen, though now the tritium should coming to its end of life.”➕

Where it needs some work!

Areas to watch—feedback on possible improvements.
There are cheaper alternatives available.
“It's a cheap lensatic compass. The U.S. Army still issues something similar.”➕
“Brunton sells these for $25 new. Made in China. It's a good compass, but most people don't need a lensatic compass for whatever it is they're doing.”➕
Not suitable for global use
“Just be aware that the Cammenga lensatic compass is not global, and only useful in the northern hemisphere or southern but not both.”➕
Not ideal for civilian map scales
“Many good comments here. One thing to consider...Cammenga Lensatic compass has a 1:50k scale ruler.”➕

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Core Power Plays

The specs and strengths that make it shine.
Discussion about the historical context of military compasses.
“its pre cammenga 3h style . the dual green notches are for quick pace/less accurate night navigation.”➕
Discussion about compass accuracy and consistency
“How precise should my compass be? I'm planning on getting the helikon tex ranger compass mk2 with a +/-3 degree accuracy.”➕
“Correct me if I'm wrong but wouldn't it be more important if the compass is consistent as opposed to "accurate"?”➕
Discussion on suitable compass features for different uses
“What do I look for in a competent compass. What is the good choice?”➕

Hidden Hero Hacks

Unexpected tricks and side‑door uses you’ll love.
Discussion about using compasses in outdoor activities
“I always carry a map/compass just incase”➕
“My moral compass”➕
“Silva Hiker/Guides. Perfectly serviceable for cross country ventures in the backcountry!”➕
“I’ve never really used a compass for anything other than teaching other people how to use a compass.”➕
Discussion about using compasses in outdoor activities.
“I read that to use it with a map, I rotate my compass so that it is along the route in the direction of travel and align the markers with the top of the map, but which marker to align?”➕
“I’ve found in the past that it’s easy to focus too much on your map/compass to make sure you’re on the right track and miss the scenery you’ve taken time to go out into.”➕
“Polaris, using the big Dipper to find it. Always make me feel calm and at home wherever I am.”➕
Discussion about wrist compasses and their features
“There are compasses made specifically to go on watch straps, so no need for the second strap.”➕
“I think Marathon has something like that too.”➕
Discussion about using Cammenga for military purposes
“Looking for a strong, reliable compass to take on an upcoming camping trip.”➕

Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

What to check before you click ‘Add to Cart.’
Discussion about comparing different compass models
“The suunto. And the book “be expert with map and compass”.”➕
“I recently got the suunto mc-2 global because it looked simple to use. I do like that it's light weight and the mirror is a plus.”➕

Cautionary Callouts

Know the pitfalls before they catch you off guard.
Discussion about radiation levels in compasses
“What's crazy is this isn't even very hot for one of these compasses, and I was expecting around 400 uSv/hr.”➕
“If you want to get some semi-accurate readings on how much radium you have in your sample, search up Radpro Gamma Calculator and select dose to activity.”➕
“I got one and still use it. Ain’t scared…”➕
Discussion about authentication of Cammenga compasses
“Is this Cammenga compass I got on eBay a real Cammenga?”➕
“Here is what a real one looks like on either side.”➕

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