The TrekLine Baseplate Compass is a classic map-orientation compass with a luminous pointer, a dry (non-liquid) capsule, and centimeter and inch rulers printed on a clear baseplate. Weighing only 32 g and hung on an included neck lanyard, it is built for hikers and navigators who want a dependable analog backup that never needs batteries or a signal. The see-through baseplate lets you lay it directly on a map to take bearings and measure distances quickly.
Hand-picked by our gear specialists as a back-to-basics navigation tool, this compass keeps the essentials sharp. A light-accumulating luminous pointer glows in low light so you can hold a heading at dusk or in a tent, while the dry capsule keeps the needle stable across changing temperatures and altitudes. It is a lightweight, reliable companion for anyone learning map-and-compass skills or carrying a non-electronic fallback.
Who should carry the TrekLine Base Compass?
This compass suits hikers, scouts, orienteers, and anyone learning traditional map-and-compass navigation. It is an ideal non-electronic backup for backpackers who rely on a phone or GPS and want insurance against a dead battery. The clear baseplate and dual rulers also make it a practical teaching tool for showing beginners how to take a bearing and plot a route on a paper map.
How do you take a bearing with the TrekLine Base Compass?
Place the transparent baseplate on your map, align the edge between your position and destination, and read the bearing - the rulers let you measure the real distance at the same time. When light fades, the luminous pointer holds a faint glow so you can keep your heading in a tent or at dusk. With no electronics to fail, it simply works whenever you pick it up.
Why does the TrekLine Base Compass use a dry capsule?
The compass uses a dry, non-liquid capsule rather than the liquid-damped type. This keeps the needle stable when temperatures and altitude swing, though it means the needle settles a touch more deliberately and the tool rewards careful, steady handling. At 32 g with a clear baseplate and neck cord, it is trimmed to the essentials without any excess bulk.
Specifications
| Characteristic | TrekLine Base Baseplate Compass |
|---|---|
| Weight (EU) | 32 g |
| Weight (US) | 1.13 oz |
| Design Type | Baseplate (Map Compass) |
| Capsule Filling | Dry (Non-Liquid) |
| Illumination | Luminous Pointer (Light Accumulator) |
| Cover | No Cover |
| Rulers/Scales | Centimeter and Inch Rulers |
| Key Feature | Rotating Dial (Limbus) |
| Color | Yellow |
| Best Use | Basic Orienteering, Hiking, Map Reading |
Key features
- Clear baseplate lays flat on a map for fast, accurate bearing-taking and orientation
- Luminous light-accumulating pointer stays readable in low light and at dusk
- Centimeter and inch rulers on the baseplate measure map distances directly
- Dry, non-liquid capsule keeps the needle stable across temperature and altitude changes
- Featherlight 32 g (1.13 oz) body adds almost nothing to your pack or neck
- Included neck lanyard keeps it secure and instantly to hand on the trail
- Battery-free and signal-free, it works as a reliable backup to GPS
TrekLine Base Compass FAQ
Does the TrekLine compass glow in the dark?
Yes. It has a luminous pointer that acts as a light accumulator, charging in daylight and glowing faintly in low-light conditions. This lets you check your heading at dusk, in a tent, or under a headlamp. The glow is a charged luminescence rather than a battery-powered light, so it fades over the night and recharges in daylight.
What is a dry capsule and why does it matter?
A dry capsule means the needle housing is not filled with damping liquid. The benefit is stability across changing temperatures and altitudes, since there is no fluid to expand, contract, or form bubbles. The trade-off is that the needle settles more slowly and the compass rewards careful, steady handling compared with a liquid-filled model.
Can I measure distances on a map with it?
Yes. The clear baseplate is printed with both centimeter and inch rulers, so you can measure straight-line distances directly on a map and convert them to real-world distance using the map scale. Combined with the transparent base for taking bearings, this makes it a complete tool for basic map navigation.
How much does it weigh?
The compass weighs just 32 g (1.13 oz) and comes with a neck lanyard so it is always to hand. That minimal weight makes it an easy addition to any pack as a battery-free backup to GPS, adding reliable analog navigation without any meaningful load penalty.
Related gear
See more in Сompass & Curvimeter, Gadgets & Gear, AceCamp compass, TrekLine Horizon Compass.
The TrekLine Baseplate Compass is a classic map-orientation compass with a luminous pointer, a dry (non-liquid) capsule, and centimeter and inch rulers printed on a clear baseplate. Weighing only 32 g and hung on an included neck lanyard, it is built for hikers and navigators who want a dependable analog backup that never needs batteries or a signal. The see-through baseplate lets you lay it directly on a map to take bearings and measure distances quickly.
Hand-picked by our gear specialists as a back-to-basics navigation tool, this compass keeps the essentials sharp. A light-accumulating luminous pointer glows in low light so you can hold a heading at dusk or in a tent, while the dry capsule keeps the needle stable across changing temperatures and altitudes. It is a lightweight, reliable companion for anyone learning map-and-compass skills or carrying a non-electronic fallback.
Who should carry the TrekLine Base Compass?
This compass suits hikers, scouts, orienteers, and anyone learning traditional map-and-compass navigation. It is an ideal non-electronic backup for backpackers who rely on a phone or GPS and want insurance against a dead battery. The clear baseplate and dual rulers also make it a practical teaching tool for showing beginners how to take a bearing and plot a route on a paper map.
How do you take a bearing with the TrekLine Base Compass?
Place the transparent baseplate on your map, align the edge between your position and destination, and read the bearing - the rulers let you measure the real distance at the same time. When light fades, the luminous pointer holds a faint glow so you can keep your heading in a tent or at dusk. With no electronics to fail, it simply works whenever you pick it up.
Why does the TrekLine Base Compass use a dry capsule?
The compass uses a dry, non-liquid capsule rather than the liquid-damped type. This keeps the needle stable when temperatures and altitude swing, though it means the needle settles a touch more deliberately and the tool rewards careful, steady handling. At 32 g with a clear baseplate and neck cord, it is trimmed to the essentials without any excess bulk.
Specifications
| Characteristic | TrekLine Base Baseplate Compass |
|---|---|
| Weight (EU) | 32 g |
| Weight (US) | 1.13 oz |
| Design Type | Baseplate (Map Compass) |
| Capsule Filling | Dry (Non-Liquid) |
| Illumination | Luminous Pointer (Light Accumulator) |
| Cover | No Cover |
| Rulers/Scales | Centimeter and Inch Rulers |
| Key Feature | Rotating Dial (Limbus) |
| Color | Yellow |
| Best Use | Basic Orienteering, Hiking, Map Reading |
Key features
- Clear baseplate lays flat on a map for fast, accurate bearing-taking and orientation
- Luminous light-accumulating pointer stays readable in low light and at dusk
- Centimeter and inch rulers on the baseplate measure map distances directly
- Dry, non-liquid capsule keeps the needle stable across temperature and altitude changes
- Featherlight 32 g (1.13 oz) body adds almost nothing to your pack or neck
- Included neck lanyard keeps it secure and instantly to hand on the trail
- Battery-free and signal-free, it works as a reliable backup to GPS
TrekLine Base Compass FAQ
Does the TrekLine compass glow in the dark?
Yes. It has a luminous pointer that acts as a light accumulator, charging in daylight and glowing faintly in low-light conditions. This lets you check your heading at dusk, in a tent, or under a headlamp. The glow is a charged luminescence rather than a battery-powered light, so it fades over the night and recharges in daylight.
What is a dry capsule and why does it matter?
A dry capsule means the needle housing is not filled with damping liquid. The benefit is stability across changing temperatures and altitudes, since there is no fluid to expand, contract, or form bubbles. The trade-off is that the needle settles more slowly and the compass rewards careful, steady handling compared with a liquid-filled model.
Can I measure distances on a map with it?
Yes. The clear baseplate is printed with both centimeter and inch rulers, so you can measure straight-line distances directly on a map and convert them to real-world distance using the map scale. Combined with the transparent base for taking bearings, this makes it a complete tool for basic map navigation.
How much does it weigh?
The compass weighs just 32 g (1.13 oz) and comes with a neck lanyard so it is always to hand. That minimal weight makes it an easy addition to any pack as a battery-free backup to GPS, adding reliable analog navigation without any meaningful load penalty.
Related gear
See more in Сompass & Curvimeter, Gadgets & Gear, AceCamp compass, TrekLine Horizon Compass.
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