Suunto MC-2G 2nd review (second compass

After several years of use my original Suunto develped a bubble, it was soon replaced with another Suunto MC-2G. Here's another review after several years of use.

[@MrWmburr7]

It is obvious you are someone who actually uses his compass, as opposed to me who just put his Suunto in a backpack for emergencies. I bow to your expertise and thank you for the review.

[@MyTube4Utoo]

Just received my MC-2G today. It's the best compass I've ever owned. I just hope it proves to be worth the money. It's good to know Suunto has good customer service. That means everything to me. Thanks for the video.

[@JakeMarcin]

Thanks for watching. Definitely a great compass, enjoy!

[@MyTube4Utoo]

@@JakeMarcin Thanks.

[@jjkc3784]

G 'Day from Columbus, Ohio! Excellent review, will likely purchase based on your observations. God Bless!

[@josephcampbell1693]

You can use clear nail polish to protect bottom of the compass from wearing away.

[@normanmallory2055]

My Silva Ranger developed a bubble after a lot of years ? So i took other compasses out with my Ranger to shoot the same mark some distance away and the bubble did not seem to matter.. I own the very excellent Suunto KB 14-360R and it will split hairs if you can hold that still with it .. But as i have always like mirror compasses as i made a living out in the forest running lines with a compass and the Ranger was the choice .. But this morning i ordered a new compass it too is Suunto MC-2 360/D/L/IN/NH and i did this because i use USGS Topo quad maps and 95% of the i use and carry the 7.5 min of angle which is 1:24000 and i wanted that scale on the base plate, i got lucky and also 15 min of angle which is 1:62500 scale is also on the base plate .. So owning both Topp formats and having both scales on the base plate is a plus , and it will speak to my GPS as I work in UTM .. it's a dam good system..

[@ChasenGunzOutdoors]

Great video keep up the good reviews be blessed

[@iheartchiropractic]

Excellent review. Very informative!! 👍

[@meawoodsman8321]

excellent review. Its one of the best compasses but I have never owned one because of the price. A compass that is just as good is the now obsolete brunton 15tdcl. I bought the last two on closeout at REI for around 30 dollars each. The replacement Truarc 15 looks good but I haven't used one. If you run into a 15tdcl somewhere, buy it. It's as good as the Suunto.

[@JakeMarcin]

Great! Thanks for the advice, will keep an eye out for them.

[@josephcampbell1693]

Noticed the red info on the bottom of the face plate is worn away. Paint the bottom of the face plate with clear nail polish to prevent the red onto wearing away.

[@jkrjhn8]

The Suunto MC 2G suffers from quality control issues. Mine developed a large bubble after 4 years. Suunto charged me $25 to replace it, plus I had to pay for shipping to send in the bad one. The replacement also failed in under 5 years!!! This is unacceptable and their customer service is useless. I do not abuse my compasses. I have a Suunto M-3 that is 25 years old and is in perfect condition. Think twice before you buy Suunto.

[@JakeMarcin]

Yeah iv stopped buying them, just don’t last. My $30 Silva has lasted longer without issues so far

[@johnking2551]

You can figure out the bearing AND the azimuth? Amazing!!

[@normanmallory2055]

well done , good review ..

[@cxm2556]

Thank God it has measurements in inches, for those of us stuck in the past.

[@jhonyermo]

yeah you need that crap on a 1:25,000 or 1:50,000 map since all METRIC

[@whiskeytangosierra6]

For those of us who didn't fix a problem that didn't exist.

[@KiwiBushcraftAndSurvival]

Excellent review, I have the same compass. Best value for the money.

[@goaro2007]

Is the old MC 2 identical to the new one? There is no red direction arrow in the old one?

[@manigmbh]

Great review! :) Greetings from Austria

[@JakeMarcin]

Greetings :) Thanks for watching :)

[@aaaaanton1]

Excellent review!

[@JakeMarcin]

Thank you, appreciate that :)

[@Jib230181]

could you use clear sellotape on the base to stop the fading or a thin bit of clear plastic glued to it? As I’ve just bought one of these compasses literally couple hours ago lol but now I don’t know if I’ve made a mistake with all the comments about bubbles and stuff.

[@tonymoore2500]

You could leave it on the dash of your car on a really hot day te oil will expand and clear the bubble

[@summittaedae2323]

I’ve had mine almost a year mc-2g and mine also developed the play on the bezel. I’ve only used mine for maybe 6-5 outings in the Scottish highlands so not even a scratch on it. Like yourself it’s pissing me off because I paid £80 for mine and it shouldn’t have play in it. Great review btw 👍🏻

[@JakeMarcin]

Hey Stephan, thanks for watching and yeah given the price of this compass this still annoys me to this day...

[@allansmith6140]

They are not as good as they make them out to be. Have had my Silva 4/54 for years and it craps on it.

[@dustycups]

Allan Smith Hold on to your old Silva 4/54. They’re made in China now and definitely not made anywhere near as well as they used to be. I just bought one and I have to return it.

[@junktube4000]

Great video. Should I avoid northern hemisphere versions and always try to get the global version? I looks like you have the older version of the MC-2, the newer ones are lower quality apparently.

[@JakeMarcin]

To be honest, I have switched over to cheaper Silva compasses, I got another air bubble in this one and have just gone with a souther hemisphere cheaper compass rather then buying another expensive global one. Although I think if you’re travelling around the world then global is a great idea, but if not then you have to ask yourself if it’s worth the extra $$$

[@MattWatsonAus]

Hi mate. I just bough the latest version of the MC-2G (Suunto MC-2/360/G/D/L Compass). I've noticed something strange with mine. Even with the baseplate perfectly flat (no tilt) the compass needle points upwards at the northern (red) end. It is quite noticeable. Does yours do that? According to Suunto, the global needle should see it balance parallel to the capsule. So something's not right here, I think

[@JakeMarcin]

Matt Watson I agree with you, something is not right. The centre of the needle is balance so the needle shouldnt point up or down when flat. Is it severe enough that it is touching the housing? And effecting the needle finding north?

[@aranha9365]

I just got one, same issue, the disc which supports the needle is very tilted as you describe, it seems like it has a bubble unbalancing the disc. Also the needle doesn't glow in the dark, and the dial shows the degrees a bit off, when you set the north, the south is slightly off... and vice-versa.

[@whiskeytangosierra6]

@@aranha9365 Check your compass very carefully, sounds like an imitation. Otherwise, return it for a replacement while it is still under warranty, assuming it still is.

[@orbayladin]

How is it possible even red markings worn out, and we still can see white markings on your older compass? Are the areas with white markings hollow, groove-like, or are they printed in red on the smooth plastic?

[@nick1635]

Hi, I see you have the old version and the new one, other than the logo obscuring the orienting lines in the capsule on the new version would you say there were any other differences between the two? I can buy either and if they're the same other than the logo in the middle of the new one I'd be inclined to get the older version. Would that be recommended?

[@JakeMarcin]

Yes, there doesn't seem to be nor did I notice any performance differences between the two

[@nick1635]

Thanks! they do look very similar. I might spray the base with sealant to stop the ruler markings from rubbing off.

[@TyJee28]

There appeared to be slope scales printed on the right side of the cover. Are there slope scales on both sides? If yes, what are they? Suunto doesn't mention the slope scales as a feature on this compass at all. Yep, the MC-2 G is pricey. I've been on the fence about buying one. {I have a Silva 54 360/6400 that cost almost as much, and paid more for a pyser-sgi Francis Barker M-73}. But is the MC-2 that much different from a good Silva mirror sighting compass? That is the question. Generally I prefer the Swedish made Silva non mirrored compass over the Suunto non mirror compasses. {Silva in the USA is a separate company with legal right to the name in the USA and Canada} I have a Silva 15tdcl 360/6400 compass, good compass, not sure if the MC-2G would be a lot better. The mirrored Silva and Suunto compasses are basically the same shape and size, not that much different. The luminescent bezel I guess would be nice addition to have, but I've never had to use a compass in the dark. I think maybe my dream base plate compass would have a Silva base plate with the Suunto Global needle compass bezel. ( I like the longer base plate on the Silva compasses because they're longer, & I think the length helps take a more accurate bearing without the use of the mirror) Even if you never go to another hemisphere, the Global needle offers some advantages - it settles faster and tolerates a 20 degree tilt yet still pivots freely, which the standard hemisphere specific needle does not. I think both types are rated as 2 degree accuracy. Good review.

[@JakeMarcin]

Yep both side. I personally have never used them but iv heard of people using them to asses things like avalanche risk.

[@TyJee28]

Also very good for route planning. Even in areas with no snow. A slope of 20 percent grade, 11 degree is fairly steep. A slope of 50 percent, 27 degrees is about the limit of what you can walk up or down with difficulty, greater than 50 percent grade and it climbing or scrambling, 100 percent grade, 45 degrees, is belay safety line time.Where I live I see many slopes of 18 degrees to 22 degrees. 18 is tough walking. 22 degrees is zig zag path steep,. I would avoid anything over 24 degree and usually need a good reason to go down / up a 22 degree hill. Only if it's fairly short and a less steep path is a lot longer walk. Anyway, I just ordered and received an MC2G compass. Good compass. Not sure if I don't like my Silva (Sweden) Expedition, non mirrored model, better. But still learning the best way to get the most accurate bearings etc from it. Also I've kind of favored the Suunto/Recta Global needle in recent years because it's supposed to settle faster and is tolerant of a 20 degree tilt vs the standard needle. But in Kevin Walker's new (2016) book he writes that generally a standard needle, balanced for the hemisphere where it is to be used, is more accurate than a global needle. But not sure what he bases that on, and it's clear in his book he favors Silva compasses, though he also recommends Suunto compasses. And kind of bummed I recently found a bubble in my Suunto M-3G, it hasn't been to high altitudes nor out in below freezing temps. Not big enough to effect the needle though. Goes away during a hot sunny day.

[@JakeMarcin]

That certainly is a very good point about terrain grades. Thanks for posting that. My last Suunto did get an air bubble and was sadly out of the 10yr warranty. I did consider buying a prismatic compass but the features, ease of use and multi purpose ability of this compass won out in the end. I'm going to have to read up a bit more about this accuracy claim, have no heard of it before. As a hiker and camper 2-3 degrees of error is acceptable as I use the terrain more to navigate and the compass to double check features and landmarks. Thanks again for your input

[@lokepoke1337]

3:55 good idea... Two is one, one is none!

[@normanmallory2055]

There is maps for sale all over where i live , but LAT LON tic's on the border is worthless unless you have a overlay grid with the scale to lay on the map every time you want to use the map .. One tic every 7.5 inches on the border with nothing in between ? nope that does speak to the compass scale not even close .. I own and have in my map case 15 min of angle topo's also which show twice the real estate as a 7.5 min of angle does but it's really a good idea to do an accurate measurement using the scale that is correct on the base plate.. So for the most part having a compass with both scales is the main reason i bought the new compass..

[@Iowarail]

Fill the marking in with a sharpie marker and wipe the extra of with 90% alcohol. Easy peasy. You are right the shit should have stayed on though.

[@JakeMarcin]

Thanks for watch, yeah it's an easy fix but it's annoying. This compass isn't cheap so it's frustrating above all else given the money paid

[@monfatouo]

Aquí en mexico, este tipos de brújulas presentan un fallo después de comprarla aproximadamente en 3 meses se presenta una burbuja en la capsula no permitiendo el movimiento de la ajuga o impidiendo el movimiento de esta fui al servicio técnico de aquí en mexico suunto mexico la cual no se hace responsable de este fallo y te alienta que compres otra bujula de otra marca mejor. triste pero cierto no te dejes estafar por esta marca.

[@user-sp9wr5rf4c]

I think it's important to point out that Jake's review involves a Global needle compass that uses the original 1992 Recta AG patent (when Suunto bought Recta AG, they inherited the Recta global needle patent). This is a very trustworthy and proven design. Suunto has since changed their Global Needle to a new design using a composite plastic-and-steel needle that has been criticized by some owners for excessive tilt causing needle drag against the base of the capsule. Apparently this was done to save money, but IMHO it's a poor design.

[@JakeMarcin]

Thanks for adding that extra info!

[@armorvestrus4119]

I have never understood what the mirror is used for other than to reflect the Sun light into your eyes, so again what is it for? If you lay it down open on a map the Sun will hit the mirror and how shall you see the map or maybe I am not understanding it right.

[@JakeMarcin]

The mirror is used to help get an accurate bearing. You hold the compass up at face level and point at where you want to go. You use the whole under the mirror to look at that object. The mirror is then angled at around 45 degrees so at the same time you can see the reflection of the compass in the mirror. So while you are looking at the object you can adjust the compass to the exact degrees and get an accurate bearing. It can of course be used for signalling in an emergency but its main purpose is to get an accurate bearing

[@michaelhoskins2581]

What are the white markings on the case? I can't figure out what they are for/how to use them.

[@michaelhoskins2581]

thanks mate, I appreciate it. I figured it out like 2 weeks after the comment when I was on the trail and actually had my topo out. It was shockingly difficult to figure that out though. do you have an issue with the declination adjustment being easily moved without the tool on your mc-2g?

[@michaelhoskins2581]

I'll have to swing by REI once I get back stateside. if you so much as bump the underside of the compass with your thumb, it throws off the declination. any compass you would recommend over the mc-g2 that is still a global?

[@JakeMarcin]

Definitely sounds like a defective model, the declination adjust is normally solid. At least my last two have been. Another decent global is the Brunton TruArc

[@michaelhoskins2581]

that's good to know. guess I'd better contact suunto. thanks for the pointer on the TruArc

[@iliveoutside]

They are to read the degree of slope or incline from a topo map. Match the scale to your map and find which set matches the spacing of your contour lines and that will be roughly the degrees of incline. The "useless" inclinometer does this directly so you could potentially use these markings to roughly find your location on a slope.

[@monfatouo]

Muy mala brújula al medio año que la compre se formo una burbuja en el centro de la cápsula que no permitia el movimiento libre de la aguja, fui por la garantía a suunto mexico y me negaron el servicio y me dijeron que es común pero que ya No tenia arreglo aquí en México ni en EEUU y que me comprara otra.

[@user-eu2zf5nh3q]

Hello friend! How does the g2 model serve? No problems with it after 7 years of use?

[@JakeMarcin]

I got some bubbles (in both of mine) and now have a Silva compass which has been going great for the past few years

[@dragomxsoldier]

What are the marking on the side of the black cap

[@StephenMooreOfficial]

I got the NH one since I live in the USA. Bought a global one but it hasn't come in yet

[@wmluna381]

Any distinct preferences for you owning both for some time now or not much?

[@josephcampbell1693]

Paint the bottom of the base plate with clear nail polish so the info does not wear away with use.

[@kikagil]

why the doghouse is not centered north?

[@fastm3980]

The bezel on mine shifts so when I align it with north the south is off by 2 degrees. I have move the bezel to the right to align it. I heard this a problem with mc 2g. Im going to return mine and try another one if not going to Silva Ranger

[@TerrorFahrer]

whats better/different on the global edition compared to the non-global?

[@JakeMarcin]

The way the needle is magnetised it can be used anywhere around the world unlike the other models

[@TerrorFahrer]

@@JakeMarcin ok thank you :)

[@patriceb26]

Bonjour , how to recognize a Suunto MC2 G Global system ? difference between SUUNTO MC-2 NH Mirror Compass and Suunto MC2 Global system?

[@James_Bowie]

A "global" needle will work in both northern and southern hemispheres.

[@patriceb26]

Merci

[@allenlark]

would you sign up for a $10 annual subscription to have this compass? 83¢ a month.

[@johngo6283]

Yikes, that is a lot of money for this compass, even in Australia. Suggestion: Consider the Suunto M3 Global. It does not have a sighting mirror, but still has a global needle is a lot less expensive.

[@normanmallory2055]

I ordered one but not the model you show as the base plate does not have 1:24000 or 1:62500 scale on the base plate .. 95% of the time i use USGS Topo quads in 7.5 min of angle .. The one scale of 1:25000 is close to being workable but still not 1:24000 .. UTM which topo quads have had since 1928 and have a tic every 1,000 meters.. I also use a GPS handheld unit so all three speak the same to each other , that part i have to have ..

[@JakeMarcin]

Thanks for watching and yeah fair call. If its a system that works best for you then definitely the best way to go. Enjoy the compass :)

[@johnchristopherrobert1839]

Brunton supports their products even out of warranty.

[@JakeMarcin]

Good to know, might be my next compass

[@ArimaKihe1]

How have the markings held up?

[@JakeMarcin]

So far so good! But iv been a little bit more vigilant with it this time, I keep it a little tiny pouch while in my pack/pock. It does still frustrate me that I have to do that though. Out and about camping this weekend so see how we go.

[@ArimaKihe1]

It's a coin toss between this and a Silva Ranger S which are going cheap right now... I guess a case declination are really all you need if you're not going to the Alpine, right?

[@JakeMarcin]

You don't really need that case protractor thing anyway. It's more of a gimmick for 99% of people. I know its there for a reason but shouldn't decide on buying or not buying this compass because of that reason. I will say that the little aiming whole in the MC is a bit plus and I don't believe the Ranger has that. I think the Ranger does have adjustable declination but just double check because thats a big thing. Either way they both do the job :)

[@perhedstrom899]

InvictusOutdoors H

[@CTChipmunk]

what's the best "global" compass to buy for a noob?

[@marybaker8582]

Chippy The Chipmunk this one

[@paganphil100]

Chippy The Chipmunk: It depends on your budget....if you can afford it, get a Cammenga / USGI as used by the US military.

[@lancemead9747]

I received one from Suunto last week. The worse compass ever. The only thing worse that the quality is the complete lack of customer service and support. If you look at the picture above and the video the Red house or shed in the interior of the compass is pointing North. The compass I received it is pointing South. Suunto didn't care enough to reply let alone replace. Buy this if you want to get lost

[@trooper2221]

$45.00 here in the states, wow !! you did pay too much. say how am i supposed to know if it has liquid in it? i cant tell. the needle rattles. i think i got one without the mineral oil in it or whatever it is.

[@James_Bowie]

It's called the exchange rate.

[@DrDennis]

Now charge $25 for repairs and customer pays for shipping to them! Not great warranty anymore

[@altexlan415]

look at moscow compass, said to be better than Sweden n USA made.

[@whyFLASHi]

2 or 10 years did he say

[@JakeMarcin]

I was told 10 but the adventure store but honestly that doesn't sound right

[@jerrydeanswanson79]

The correct Finnish pronunciation for Suunto is more like "soon-toe"...with the emphasis on the first syllable...and stretch out the "oo" a little.

[@coleparker]

I have Silva Ranger. I think is equal to the Suunto

[@JakeMarcin]

I have one now too and think it’s great

[@coleparker]

@@keithtrott5814 I have had a number of Silva Rangers. Unfortunately, nowadays in my area all we can get is the Indonesian copies and my old model from Sweden that I have had for 35 years has a bubble in it. I do have a Suunto, but I have found parts of it inferior, especially the declination setting screw.

[@coleparker]

@@keithtrott5814 It happens in many models. I have been using Silva's since 1978 and have had bubbles occuring as the compass gets older, and dirtier, and some times cracking because of age, extreme heat or cold. If the job I was doing was not too dependent on extreme accurate mapping, I would continue to use the older one and compensate for the bubble.

[@juslitor]

Silva is made in china these days@@coleparker

[@coleparker]

@@juslitor I know. But the ones I bought were pre Chinese made. I now buy Suunto.

[@James_Bowie]

“Soon-toh” mate, not sun-toh.

[@christianb8228]

Hence the two Us

[@whiskeytangosierra6]

Did one of those pesky giant spiders you have down under perhaps manage to put a small hole in the original? I doubt anyone warranties against those nasty arachnids you folks live with there. So I am not the only one who looks at that magnifier when people say they can start a fire with it and thinks - Right, sure you can. Being far more advanced in year than you, I have found it very useful in reading small print or terrain features. I can see a golf ball at 300 yards, but close up is a challenge. Update to 2019 in the States, there are Lensatic compasses (luminous not tritium which are outrageous) that retail for more than this wonderful MC-2G you and I own. The MC-2G now sells for about $25 US LESS than I paid when I caught one at a going out of business sale some years ago. I carried a military lensatic for many years. Am happy to say that after making the switch I have already mostly forgotten the math on declination adjustment, although I do brush up occasionally since I carry a cheap and lightweight Silva as a backup compass and of course it does not have declination adjustment. Overall, I love this compass for these and many more reasons, such as the needle is not so level sensitive as "card" compasses. And for the incline scale, I have used that very successfully teaching youngsters how to translate the contour line intervals on maps to visualizations on what the terrain may actually be like. Seems that in this cell phone video driven world young people have a harder time making the leap than they did only 20 years ago.

[@landrover4444]

"ship it off to Hong Kong" ???? I thought those were made in Finland? WTF?

[@whiskeytangosierra6]

Probably a repair center there. Also a repair center in the US.

[@allansmith6140]

@@whiskeytangosierra6 They are Made In China.

[@thewizardscircle7237]

You accidentally just reviewed your old compass with your new one

[@Moostery]

That's pretty lame that they wouldn't fix it for you. If I'm spending that much money on a compass I want it to last for life.

[@davidhumphreys1422]

"For those of you stuck in the past" WTF? I measure in inches and I'm in the past. Wait I better tell the president.

[@brianmahogany3216]

The new ones arw made in china

[@fgorr]

Product not bad but customer / warranty service is VERY BAD suunto has the absolutely the worst customer service of any company that I've ever run across. If anything goes wrong with their products you cannot get in touch with anyone from the company that is willing and or has the abiltiy to help you.

[@allansmith6140]

Worst customer service from ANY company I have ever dealt with. They will take your money and then they don't want to know about you. This comes about from selling cheap products made in China. If they were to actually replace their faulty products they would go broke.

[@Systematicsphere]

Need to fix muffled sound

[@ibragim_on]

Suunto does not make an awesome compass any more!!!!

[@JakeMarcin]

It’s a shame, I have switched to another brand

[@killthebuddha5034]

Wait.... It doesn't last forever.... What a let down! A decade later and it's showing signs of wear.... PATHETIC! HAHA...

[@olechuga2]

Sir, you wasted the first two (2) minutes of your "review", wasting my time, over "why you obtained a second (2nd) compass from SUUNTO"! Like "who really cares as to why", just get-on with the review. You folks, who publish these "reviews" thru youTube, should pre-qualify your reports' title by stating that "exceedingly too much BS will be the majority of this review", and please, do NOT coupled your report with an extremely loud, and usually lousy, music feed! Or better yet, establish a much better direction of taste, on your so-called "review(s)".

[@maxwarre]

Idiot !!