Compass 86×62×74mm with Light – Compact Flush-Mount Boat Compass (Black/White)

This compact magnetic compass is designed specifically for small vessels and tight helm spaces. With dimensions of 86 x 62 x 74 mm, it takes up minimal room on your dashboard and can be flush-mounted for a smooth, low-profile appearance. This makes it ideal for fishing boats, inflatable RIBs, canoes, and kayaks where standard large compasses would be impractical. Despite its small size, the compass provides clear and reliable navigation information.

Illumination & Markings: The compass comes with an integrated 12V illumination – a tiny bulb inside lights up the dial, allowing for use at night or in low-light conditions. Simply connect the light’s wires to your 12V power supply, and you’ll have a clearly visible compass card after dark. The clear acrylic dome features a painted yellow lubber line, which should be aligned parallel to the centerline of your boat upon installation. This line indicates your current heading relative to the vessel and greatly simplifies steering – just line it up with the desired degree mark on the compass card to stay on course.

The compass card (dial) is sharply graduated: it has tick marks at every 5°, with larger markings and numbers at each 30° interval. For example, 0° (North), 30°, 60°, etc., are numbered, and there are small gradations in between for each 5-degree step. This fine gradation allows for precise steering and easy orientation – with a quick glance, you can determine your heading to within a few degrees, which is sufficient for coastal navigation and general boating.

Stability & Range: The compass is liquid-filled, which dampens the motion of the card and stabilizes it as the boat rocks. Even in chop or when the engine causes vibration, the compass card remains relatively steady, making it easier to read. The unit is engineered to operate in a broad temperature range – roughly -30°F to +160°F – meaning it will perform reliably in cold early-spring or late-fall weather as well as in hot summer sun, without suffering damage or accuracy loss.

Housing & Installation: The compass housing is made of durable ABS plastic, which resists impact and is UV-resistant (it won’t quickly yellow or degrade in sunlight). Installation is straightforward – the compass fits into a pre-cut round hole on a horizontal surface of your dashboard. It is secured from below (usually with an included bracket or bolts, depending on the model) so that it stays firmly in place. Once installed, only the hemispherical dome (about 74 mm tall) protrudes above the panel, giving a very low-profile setup. This is especially useful on small consoles where tall instruments might obstruct your view or be prone to damage.

Recommended Use: This mini-compass is an excellent primary compass for small boats of around 4–5 meters (13–16 feet) in length, or as a backup/emergency compass on a larger vessel. Its compact size means it can be mounted almost anywhere – atop a narrow console, on the thwart of a dinghy, at the stern of an inflatable boat (where there’s often no space for big instruments), or even in front of a kayak seat. Additionally, the compass is a great teaching tool for young sailors or paddlers, since it allows them to learn about bearings and maintaining a course without relying on electronic gadgets.

Despite its small footprint, this compass delivers all the essentials – a stable magnetic needle mechanism, a legible dial with fine increments, night illumination for after-dark voyages, and a robust build. It will help you keep your bearing toward your destination, ensuring you always know which way your boat is pointed even when GPS or other electronics are unavailable.