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Product Description
Whether you work in the field, are on a remote expedition, or are into adventure racing, the Brunton TruArc line of compasses has a lot to offer. Each model is equipped with TruArc’s global needle system with Ever-North rare earth magnets to resist magnetic and metal interferences Read More
Massdrop was flawless as usual, but I'm disappointed with the product., Truearc 20. I read plenty of warnings about the poor quality control at Brunton. Wanted to do my civic duty and order Made in USA vs my first preference of the foreign "S" brand (take your pick). Also, a big part of me like the ability to set the declination without a tool (one less thing to use). Should have gone with my gut and supported a better company rather than some misguided national pride.
I don't have the printing issue. I checked as soon as it arrived. My numbers and hashes are spot on. My main issue is that the rotating baring ring sticks or hangs at some random point. It made it nearly impossible to get an accurate bearing as you needed to twist harder to overcome the "hangup" and would sometimes twist too hard and overshoot and then have to rotate back, etc. After about a week of spinning the ring while watching TV, etc. it is much better and is actually usable now; but, you can still feel a slight hesitation at a point while rotating.
This might be a great feature if it "hung" at due north or something like that; but, it hangs on some strange bearing like 7.5* (don't have the compass with me right now).
This isn't a deal breaker; but, it takes a few grunts to get the declination set just right. You need both hands to push and turn the bezel. You need to push fairly hard, so it's hard to get a precise setting on the first try. Maybe I just have wimpy fingers. I still think I would prefer this over the risk of losing the tool.
I was going to send it back to Massdrop; but, life got busy and I didn't get a chance and probably that window has closed.
Picked this up on the last drop. Developed a bubble at 4,800 feet. Printing issues too like Scosol has mentioned. I may return it to Brunton and go with the Suunto MC2.
ThedudeabidesmanWere you able to return the compass? I have one being delivered now, but after seeing these comments I'm getting worried about the quality of the product.
My compasses just arrived today and I'm concerned that they're fake- see:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NvWg14UCvc
Mine suffer from the same horrible printing.
As well, the plastic feels cheap, my needle doesn't sit level, and the insert doesn't contain what's shown on Brunton's site.
I've emailed Brunton Support, let's see what they say.
scosolMy replacement compasses arrived from Brunton and they do not suffer from the printing issue the previous ones did. As best I can tell (not having them side by side in front of me), there is no other difference (the plastic still feels "cheap" (which is fine), the needles are designed not to sit level and work well, and the card insert is the same as before (and still not what is on Brunton's site). See the pictures below that show the difference between the printing of the degree markers. Also note for anyone reading this: the white background of the dial area is a *removable* protective film, so the compass can be seen through like every other compass and used for detailed mapwork- even the pictures on Brunton's site show it being used with that white protective cover in place so that is a mistake on their part. Overall I'm satisfied with the compasses (the needle performance is amazing) and Brunton's response to my concerns was exactly as expected. EDIT: looking at the pictures I uploaded, there are other differences: note that the originals I was sent specified Kilometers on the base and all the degree printing is in black (and crooked), whereas the replacements I got specify Miles, and the degree printing is black on the outside and green on the inside (with straight lines).