Riviera Genova Zenit 3" (76 mm) Compass with Binnacle Mount

The Riviera Zenit 3" Compass with Binnacle is a top-tier navigation instrument from Riviera’s Genova line, tailored for motorboats, sailing yachts, and high-speed RIBs alike. This compass delivers reliable heading information with precision engineering and variant-specific features: choose between front-reading vs. flat dial, and high-speed vs. standard models, according to your vessel’s profile. Each variant addresses particular use-cases and vessel types:

• BH3/AVB (Part 25.015.04): A high-speed compass with a front-reading card, featuring a blue compass rose and white housing. Recommended for sailboats and powerboats with light-colored consoles – the blue dial offers excellent contrast in bright sunlight, and the white binnacle blends seamlessly with white helm stations. This model is tuned for vessels frequently exceeding 25 knots, ensuring stable readings even in rough conditions.
• BH3/AV (Part 25.015.02): A high-speed, front-reading model with a black compass rose and all-black housing. Ideal for fast RIBs and speedboats with dark dashboards – the sleek black design complements modern cockpits, while the high-damping card guarantees accuracy during sharp turns and high-speed maneuvers.
• BZ3/AV (Part 25.017.00): A high-speed compass with a flat (top-view) card, black rose, and black housing, equipped with 12V illumination. Suited for sport cruisers and center-console boats where horizontal dash installation is required. The flat dial allows easy top-down reading – a great choice for flybridge helms and console mounts, maintaining clarity and precision at a glance.
• BZ3 (Part 25.016.00): A standard-speed model (for sub-25 knot cruising) with a flat card, black rose, black housing, and no built-in light. This budget-friendly variant is optimized for daytime navigation on smaller boats and fishing vessels that typically do not venture out at night. It provides dependable performance for boats up to roughly 8–10 meters, where ultra-high-speed damping is not necessary.

Usage Recommendations: The high-speed Zenit versions are recommended for powerboats, RIBs, and yachts regularly operating above ~25 knots, as they feature rapid damping and minimal oscillation of the compass card under high dynamics. The standard version is excellent for slower craft – family cruisers or workboats – where speeds stay moderate (up to ~20–25 knots). Front-reading cards are ideal when mounting the compass on a vertical bulkhead or dashboard (common on sailboats and certain helm designs), allowing you to read the heading from the front. Flat cards are preferred for installation on horizontal surfaces – e.g. top of a console or instrument pod – providing direct overhead viewing of the heading. The blue card options offer improved visibility in bright conditions (reducing glare), whereas the classic black card is often favored for night voyages due to less internal illumination reflection. Riviera Zenit compasses feature built-in deviation compensator magnets (in the high-speed models) for fine adjustment, minimizing magnetic deviation and ensuring accurate bearings. The sturdy binnacle base secures the compass to the deck or cabin top, protecting it from engine vibrations and waves. With its rugged construction and versatility, the Riviera Zenit 3" compass instills confidence in navigation whether you’re cruising or racing offshore.