In order to get an accurate compass-heading reading from a compass, the magnetic needle in the compass, must be able to move freely inside the compass capsule.  The needle must be balanced to make sure it can move freely, without touching and dragging along the top or bottom of the capsule; while consistently and precisely point to a compass-heading.

A Compass Is Not a Toy!  However Many Compasses Being Sold To Consumers Are Simple Low-Grade Toy-Class Items, Made To Produce A Quick Impulse Sale, And Profits.  These Should Never Be Used For Navigation!

Because horizontal and vertical magnetic pull from the earth's magnetic field varies considerably in different locations around the world, a compass needle that balances perfect in North America will drag or stick in the capsule when in South America.

Quality compass instrument manufacturers have Developd their own needle-balance zones To Make Compasses For Use In Specific Hemispheres Around The Globe.  When Using A Compass, Know What Part Of The World The Compass Is Balanced And Tuned For.  Always Navigate With a Precision Compass and One That You Know For a Fact Is Balanced For The Area That The Compass Will Be Used!  The Compass Was Balanced For!   What Most Compass Makers Balanced Their Compass Needles For One Of 5-Zones as shown in the image below.

Suunto No Compass Balance Zones!

Suunto Global Compass - Works Anywhere!

Increased Compass Accuracy At A Wider Range Of Held Angles, And No Worry About The Right Compass In The Right Global Hemisphere!  Suunto Top Of The Line Compasses With The New Suunto-Exclusive "Global" Needle Technology, Function Flawlessly Anywhere In The World; Without Specific Balancing Of The Compass Needle! Here at Casanova's, as the Official Suunto Authorized Dealer, We offer the entire line of Global Compasses, Unique To Suunto.

Suunto 2 Compass Balance Zone System

For Economical Reasons, Suunto Provides A Magnetic Needle Based Compass, Which Cost Less To Make, Offering Consumers A Easier To Afford Precision Navigation Quality Compass.  While Developing The Global Needle Technology, Suunto Engineers Focused On Improving The Extremely Old And Low-Tech Magnetic Compass Needle Technology. They Succeeded In Developing The Next Generation Of Magnetic Compass Needle, Which Operates Accurately Over A Large Global Hemisphere Range! No More 5-Zone Balanced Compasses!

The vertical intensity and direction of the earth's magnetic field, the inclination, influences the horizontal plane of a compass needle according to the latitude where it is used.  Due to inclination, compasses must be balanced for different geographical zones in order to keep the needle in a horizontal position.

Previously, the globe was divided into five different balance zones by Suunto Engineers, in which compasses were balance to function in accurately.   However, as people travel more and more, the need for a compass with a greater geographical range has increased.  Now, thanks to Suunto's 'Two Zone System' there are only two balance zones to consider in compass use - the northern hemisphere and the southern hemisphere. In practice, this means that a Suunto compass designed for the northern hemisphere will still work for a fair distance into the southern hemisphere, and vice-versa.   Currently, Suunto is one of only two compass manufacturers to offer two-zone compasses.

Brunton 3 Compass Balance Zone System

With Brunton's New Unique Circle-In-Circle Needle Technology, Brunton Was Able To Increase The Balanced Working Zone Of The Needle, Thereby Reducing The Required Balance Zones Down To 3. We Stock All 3 Zones For U.S. International Travelers/Adventures as Well As Our International Customers.  We Are The Official Brunton International Supplier.  No Worries. We Are A Trusted Established Privately Owned Corporation Since 1930!  Offering Personable Service.

SILVA 5 Compass Balance Zone System

Silva Reduced The Effects Of Different Magnetic-Pulls Around The Earth, By Placing The Center Of Gravity Below The Pivot Point Of Their Compass Needle.  The Needle Of Each Silva Compass Is Counterbalanced For A Specific Silva-Determined Magnetic Balance Zone.  The Compass Is Intended To Work Precisely Only Within The Designated Balanced Zone.  Click On The Global Map Above To View The Large Image Of The Silva Balance Zones.

Note, This Is An Outdated Way Of Thinking, Original The Way Most Compass Companies Produced Navigation Grade Compasses In The Past.

Known The Compass Zone!

We Stock Compasses For The Northern Hemisphere And Make Available Compasses Balanced For ALL The World Regions By The Different Compass Brands Marketed In The United States.  Every Compass Has A Limited Working Region On Earth.   Determine The Compasses Useful Region Before Using It For Nay Navigation!  Using The Wrong Compass Can Cost You Your Life Or The Life Of Another Person!  People Die Of Exposure - Usually From Getting Lost And/Or Stranded!

World Compass Center Here!

We Stock Compasses For The Northern Hemisphere And Make Available Compasses Balanced For ALL The World Regions By The Different Compass Brands Marketed In The United States.

We Stock The New Exclusive SUUNTO Global Compass Technology, Which Provides Most Accurate Performer Anywhere On Earth, Without Worry!

COMPASS USE WARNING!

Make Sure When Using An Old Compass, It First Points Accurately To The Magnetic North Pole.  Second, Make Sure It Can Accurately Indicate A Precise Heading. 3rd, Make Sure It Was balanced For The Global Hemisphere It Will Be Used In!  If In Dough, Destroy The Compass!

A Old Used Unknown Accurate And Unknown Compass Balance, Could Cost Someone's Life After Getting Lost, Or When Used To Give Directions To Someone Else, Who In Turn Gets Lost And Dies Of Exposure, Dehydration, Etc...!  It's Not Worth It, Purchase A Modern Precision Compass!  They Are Very Reasonably Priced And a Great value When Compared To Survival!