Riviera Genova Aries 2½" (60 mm) Compass with Bayonet Mount Base

The Riviera Aries 2½" (60 mm) Compass is a minimalist compass designed for the smallest of vessels and scenarios where portability and easy installation are key. With its bayonet locking base, the Aries can be attached to a dashboard or bench in seconds with no complicated installation. Here are the main features and advantages of this model:

• Easy Mounting & Portability: The Aries base is a flat disc (100 mm diameter) that can be temporarily stuck on or permanently screwed to your desired spot. The compass itself then drops onto this base and locks with a slight turn (bayonet lock). This design means you can quickly remove the compass when your voyage is over and stow it safely – a valuable feature for inflatables and open boats where gear is packed away after use.
• Compact & Unobtrusive: Aries is extremely low-profile – only ~6 cm tall – making it nearly invisible against the horizon. It won’t interfere with fishing or access to onboard equipment. The card diameter is ~65 mm, which is impressive for its small size and ensures you can still clearly see your heading during normal hand-steering (e.g., in a dinghy or canoe).
• Accuracy & Stability: Despite its size, the Aries has a black compass card with sharp white graduations every 5°, read through a front window (a direct-reading card). The internal design is rated for up to 30° of tilt, providing reliable readings even if your small boat pitches or heels suddenly. This makes it suitable for kayaks, canoes, tenders, etc., where movement is pronounced.
• No Power Required: Aries has no built-in lighting, which intentionally keeps it simple – there are no batteries, wires, or bulbs to worry about. It’s intended as a daylight compass or an emergency backup on a larger craft. For night use, you can shine a flashlight on it if needed, but generally it’s meant for daytime navigation on calm or inshore waters.
• Color Options: The Aries’ standard housing is white to avoid heat absorption and for high visibility. However, it comes with three choices for the base ring color – black, blue, or matching white (completely white unit). Black/White/Black (Code 25.025.30) features a black base, Black/White/Blue (Code 25.025.31) has a navy blue base, and Black/White/White (Code 25.025.40) is white base. This flexibility allows you to visually tailor the compass to your boat: e.g., the blue base nicely complements an inflatable boat with blue accents, while the black base blends with the rubber trims of a RIB. All variants share identical functionality – the difference is purely cosmetic.

Application & Recommendations: Riviera Aries is highly recommended for very small boats and tenders: rowboats, RIBs up to ~4–5 m, fishing kayaks, sailing dinghies. It also serves exceptionally well as a backup compass for larger yachts – thanks to its compact size it can be stored in a locker and deployed temporarily if the primary navigation instruments fail. Due to the lack of illumination, the Aries is primarily used in daylight or dusk; for prolonged night passages, a main compass with lighting is advised. Its simplicity is its greatest asset – there are no electrical parts to fail, and the rugged plastic construction plus the bayonet mount ensure that accidental bumps or vibrations won’t dislodge it. With the Riviera Aries 2½” compass, you gain freedom and flexibility in navigation – a compass that can go wherever you go, ready to serve faithfully when you need it most.