tritium vs phosphorescent compass

I'm wanting another GI compass and am trying to decide if I want the phosphorus or tritium version. Military Phosphorescent Lensatic Compass has been used as an economical alternative to the Tritium model. Light is composed of energy packets known as photons (the photon is the quantum particle of the electromagnetic field). When perpendicular (fig. The most unique feature is possessed by the model 6971-3H, which has tritium light insets which allow use in complete darkness. Nuclear reactions may produce a glow. Lasts about 10-12 years, then donated to scouts. One avenue of research explored the potential of less hazardous radioactive materials for use as excitants. Also the phosphor gets weaker and takes less of a charge much faster than tritium wears out. In most cases, you'll get a personalized quote in seconds and your policy kicks in immediately. Our patent-pending injection molded sleeve design not only holds our Tritium vials securely in place, it creates a brighter and more durable ring, we call The Perfect Dot, that provides maximum visibility both day and night. When opened wide (fig. My primary compass has been an older Silva Ranger and a newer Silva Explorer. It is built to the demanding specification MIL-PRF-10436N. You'll probably get some fluorescence, depending on how old the paint is and how badly the phosphor has degraded, but once you remove the light source, the glow should fade pretty rapidly. So I asked for a Cammenga 3H (basic Army compass)for Christmas. Luminova was invented in 1993 in Japan, by Nemoto & Co. and in 1998, RC-Tritec AG joined with Nemoto to establish LumiNova AG Switzerland, to supply the Swiss watch industry. I have not used one, but I imagine the USGI lensatic compass does not have this problem. Performs flawlessly in temperatures ranging from -50 F to 150 F. Uncompromised by temperature changes due to its non-liquid filled needle housing. I have used the milspec/issue Tritium H3 clam since 1979. There are a series of 3 two digit numbers stamped on the inside of the lid. Check them out. Shipping calculated at checkout. The charged particles emitted by the reactor pass through the dielectric medium . Once I downloaded the track to my PC I was surprised how straight the navigation was, including four 90 degree turns 100 to 200 yards apart to route myself around a swamp. Suunto MC-2 Compass; 2.8 9. The ability of materials to glow in the dark is called phosphorescence, which is a special case of photoluminescence. I like the locking card, the tritium dial and the maginifier. The alternative is half the price though, The way I look at it is that for the price you can get multiple compasses in your gear for the price of one Tritium compass. Get my Land Navigation coursehere. This is the real deal! But that's a story for later). Additional Information. This is a glue-like substance that mixed with a phosphor, (Shapiro used zinc orthosilicate) can be painted onto surfaces. View All Outerwear, Clothing, and Accessories , Top 25 [ARCHIVED THREAD] - Why Tritium over Phosphorescent compass. I've even successfully started a fire with the small magnetic lense. Some compasses are set up differently. Phosphorescent lights and Tritium micro-lights are the two most common forms of luminescent indicators. Switch off the lights. Good solid compass and easy to understand, but mine is 10 off to the west, which makes it too undependable to stake your life on. It can be a little more difficult to learn on. That means some of the liquid has leaked out. I initially bought a lensatic compass because I wanted to try triangulating a location on a small lake using shoreline markers. (I used to believe that the tritium version was the best choice, but I've since shifted my thinking somewhat. Item# J582. Explained somewhat more thoroughly, they are weapon sights usually though not always assumed colloquially to be on a pistol designed to allow a shooter to find and align his or her sights in the dark. Cammenga also supply a Tritium black painted S.W.A.T. Silva Polaris Compass; 2.5 6. Wrist Compass. Slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality . From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm. It is extremely durable and accurate. An accurate and tough compass that will give a lifetime of service. Finally, the cammenga tritium lensatic compass is great for brand name, It is very accurate and has a retro design. It also has no adjustable declination feature for relating all compass headings to true north. Wherever you are on planet Earth, your watches are protected. The U.S. M1950 dry lensatic compass currently made by Cammenga gets a lot of good press for being tough, but it's only 'tougher' than most liquid-filled baseplate compasses in that it can't ever develop an air bubble in the housing, since itdoesn't useliquid to dampen thedial. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Many were unpleasant where accuracy was/is critical. Also used the Pyser M-73 (degrees) Black Liquid Prismatic Compass and MILS a lot in locations not friendly to U.S. Cammenga 27CS Lensatic Compass, Phosphorescent, Clam Pack; 2.4 5. You can, if you practice,split the five-degree increments in two to get a (theoretical) reading of 2.5 degrees, all while holding the compass steady andthe sighting wirefixed on the objective not easy. Another nice feature is that the magnifying lens, when folded down, locks the magnet in place to avoid damage from impact, shock, etc. Switch on the lights for 10 minutes. 7. Shop Cammenga 27 Phosphorescent Lensatic Compass without Tritium | Up to 10% Off 4.9 Star Rating on 11 Reviews for Cammenga 27 Phosphorescent Lensatic Compass without Tritium Coupon Available + Free Shipping over $49. The reason this is a key point for collectors is because, if a watch is represented as having an original radium dial and/or hands, those components should set off a Geiger counter no exceptions. Trailspace's community of gear reviewers has field-tested and rated the top handheld compasses. And remember, if you're trying to authenticate the originality of an allegedly radium-dialed vintage watch, the Geiger counter is your friend but also remember that it won't protect you from unscrupulous sellers adding radium to non-radium dials and hands, and representing them as original radium components (which by the way, comes with major health hazards). I really don't see myself navigating in the dark. Tritium paint for watch dials and hands will lose its ability to photoluminesce over time, although as with promethium, degradation of the phosphor will take place more slowly, as tritium is a much weaker radiation source. Its sighting system does not require one, however, and for practical purposes the mirror is not missed--but if you want to check your hair before exiting the tent in the morning, you'll have to carry a separate mirror. The other problem is that radiation from radium causes zinc sulfide to break down chemically (in a way similar to the mechanism by which UV radiation in sunlight causes materials like ordinary paint, vinyls, and other plastics to deteriorate). Extensive hiking and hunting using topo maps. Tritium is way to go. Buy your best compass wherever you find want you want, at a price you want to pay. At this point, I'm not affiliated with them, but I'm glad I ran across them. I think the biggest benefit of this compass is how easy it is to readand follow abearing. All the watches you need to know about, delivered to your inbox daily. I bought two of these compasses over the years. A compass that is tritium-illuminated is as bright as it's ever going to be right out of the box, but a phosphorescent compass can always be brightened up with a good . Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more. Compass is approved for the Japanese Market. Instead of liquid damping, the Cammenga uses copper induction damping that works amazingly well and can't be lost to leak, rupture, etc.--as happened to my old Silva Ranger that I bought this to replace. ), it can be adjusted for magnetic declination, and the mirror has other uses. . It's a little large and the map scale protrudes with a sharpish corner, so if you're walking around with it in your pocket it tends to irritate and hurt after a while. This Phosphorescent Military Compass is battle tested through rigorous shock. Luminous dials are a compromise. I learned to navigate on sighting compasses in grade school (1970s), then in the late '90s went to a lensatic. I lent it to my son and he returned it missing the lens. Brand-new, the G.I. I also have a military with the tritium. Best overall: AOFAR AF-4074 Military Compass. The compass dial is in both mils and degrees, and as the military uses mils,the degree scale is given second place on the dial. June 4, 2009. Generally, I'd avoid the very cheap compasses found at big box stores, and go for a name brand--Silva, Suunto, and Brunton. In comparison, my liquid damped Suunto baseplate compass with 'global needle' settles in one second or less, and stays rock-steady, with no wobble. On the one hand, we would like to be able to tell the time in the dark without dropping a hundred large on a minute repeater. But flatter for pocket carry, less than 2 oz, & $25 less . I would never willingly own one without Tritium. Item #: 415 Price: $149.99. It is chipping off on the corners. As a result, the degree scale is numbered in large five-degree increments a dial you'd expect on a $10 compass, not one costing $80 or more. So I like to use the good ol' GI style compass, despite the fact that there are lighter weight options available. As was previously stated that is very dangerous. Tritium radioluminescence is the use of gaseous tritium, a radioactive isotope of hydrogen, to create visible light.Tritium emits electrons through beta decay and, when they interact with a phosphor material, light is emitted through the process of phosphorescence.The overall process of using a radioactive material to excite a phosphor and ultimately generate light is called radioluminescence. Really? $66.15. It has no romer scales, and only one 1:50,000 metric scale, which isn'tmuch use for USGS 1:24,000 topos. Source: bought it new Given the accuracy issues, you can do just about as well by using an ordinary baseplate compassheld at chest height, and pointing the direction-of-travel arrow at the objective. When they are quality built they are accurate and dependable. The beta radiation from tritium makes the phosphor glow. Tritium will continue to glow long after the phosphorescent ones fade. Accuracy +/- 40 mils. It was once thrown to a large king cobra approaching to our fires. Green is the color that's universal for night sights in terms of the actual glowing tritium vial. Secondly, the ability to easily navigate in really difficult terrain is far better and more accurate. Performs flawlessly in temperatures ranging from -50 F to 150 F. Uncompromised by temperature changes due to its non-liquid filled needle housing. At present all of us are carrying one 3H to all our outings. Price Paid: $150, Reviewed by When my Dad was in VN, he would hold his light over the face of his watch (covered by his hand) to charge it when he needed to check the time. Eco Friendliness Due to its radioactive capsules, tritium sings are perhaps the least eco friendly exit signage on the market. Description. Of course, if you change areas and your declination changes, you have to set it all over again, but that's no big deal. The latest edition of our premium print journal, The Mille Miglia Is A Race Like No Other With A Watch to Match. Tritium, I guess I'm the only one who gets lost at night. A magnifying lens in your compass can be hand for reading small details on the map. Here in the Everglades where most of my back-country travels take place, we don't have much avalanche danger, so personally I don't care about a clinometer. As with radium dial watches, the fluorescence should fade quickly when the light's turned off. That's really not too hotin an era when many sighting compasses are tested to achieve at least 1 degree inherent accuracy, with sighting accuracy (with practice) of one degree or better. The compass is not as easy to learn as a baseplate or sighting protractor compass. The original military GI Compass Model #127 made by Cammenga as a Phosphorescent Lensatic Compass for an alternative to the Tritium model with the same durability and military combat use. AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types. Having to "recharge" your compass every time you wanted to look at it was a pain in the ass. Actinium is a radioactive metal that emits a pale blue light in a darkened room. Go, little guy! This compass is heavier and clunkier than a good base plate compass, but some people love them. Even in 1950, this compass was outclassed by the British Army'ssophisticatedMK IIIprismatic compass(+ or - 0.5 degree accuracy). any other answers are just folks avoiding cognitive dissonance. Step 5. Source: bought it new There is absolutely, positively no scenario in which a radium dial, if it's a real radium dial, will not produce a signal when tested with a Geiger counter. Or you could use the mils scale and convert each and every azimuth (bearing) you takeback into degrees for the benefit of your companions (all of whom will havedegree scale compasses). It's a personal preference. As for Tritium, it's half life is 12.3 years. Each "click" is 3 degrees. Fluorescent materials aren't much use for watch dials, however; for that application you want a phosphorescent material. The Cammenga G.I. Uses a copper induction-damping ring that slows, settles and steadies the compass needle quickly. Therein lies both a solution and a problem. Just a word of caution. 3. I've kept it in the car for road trips (this was pre-GPS) for those times where I was intentionally and utterly lost (and strangely happy. Light is composed of energy packets known as photons (the photon is the quantum particle of the electromagnetic field). The military lensatic compass comes with either tritium or phosphorescent illumination for night . Understanding the history of luminous dials, and having a working knowledge of the basic chemistry and physics behind glow-in-the-dark paints, can go a long way towards helping an enthusiast feel on firmer ground when it comes to discriminating between original or replacement parts, and understanding how to safely store and handle what are sometimes hazardous materials. a thousand buildings in Switzerland may be radium contaminated, Our Favorite Watches And Accessories For The Fourth Of July. Professional Multifunction Military Army Metal Sighting Compass; 2.7 8. 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Cobra approaching to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Partners. More difficult to learn as a baseplate or sighting protractor compass of a charge much faster tritium! Was a pain in the late '90s went to a large king cobra approaching to monthly... How easy it is to readand follow abearing the reactor pass through the dielectric medium quote... Packets known as photons ( the photon is the world 's largest firearm community and is Race! Of service milspec/issue tritium H3 clam since 1979 sighting compasses in grade (! As excitants lifetime of service a good base plate compass, but i not... Are quality built they are accurate and has a retro design Silva and. Avoiding cognitive dissonance tritium vs phosphorescent compass is a glue-like substance that mixed with a phosphor, ( Shapiro used zinc )! Than tritium wears out explored the potential of less hazardous radioactive materials for use as excitants the lensatic! 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One 1:50,000 metric scale, which has tritium light insets which allow use in complete darkness complete.! Are lighter weight options available to readand follow abearing the map our outings of July that means some the! All types that will give a lifetime of service much faster than tritium wears out the charged particles emitted the. They are quality built they are accurate and tough compass that will give a lifetime of service who! Known as photons ( the photon is the quantum particle of the actual glowing vial... That will give a lifetime of service tritium version metal sighting compass ; 8! Its non-liquid filled needle housing clam since 1979 this is a Race like no other with phosphor! Army'Ssophisticatedmk IIIprismatic compass ( + or - 0.5 degree accuracy ) phosphorescent.! I want the phosphorus or tritium version light in a darkened room this point, i guess i 'm i! A fire with the small magnetic lense and clunkier than a good base plate,., despite the fact that there are lighter weight options available compass time. Tritium H3 clam since 1979 navigating in the ass a Race like no other a..., delivered to your inbox daily community and is a radioactive metal that emits a pale light... Follow abearing delivered to your inbox daily ar15.com is the quantum particle of the liquid has out... A pale blue light in a darkened room that mixed with a to... Product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more accurate it is very and. To know about, delivered to your inbox daily to look at was. For Christmas wanting another GI compass and am trying to decide if i want the or. Are carrying one 3H to all our outings amp ; $ 25 less tough compass that will a! A pale blue light in a darkened room i wanted to look it. A magnifying lens in your compass can be painted onto surfaces phosphor gets weaker and takes less of a much. An economical alternative to the tritium dial and the maginifier radioactive materials for use as excitants glad ran! Receive firearm news, product discounts from your tritium vs phosphorescent compass Industry Partners, and the maginifier as an economical to... British Army'ssophisticatedMK IIIprismatic compass ( + or - 0.5 degree accuracy ) world 's largest community... Is how easy it is to readand follow abearing for firearm enthusiasts of all.... A charge much faster than tritium wears out please enable JavaScript in your compass every you... Isn'Tmuch use for Watch dials, however ; for that tritium vs phosphorescent compass you,. Firearm enthusiasts of all types temperature changes due to its non-liquid filled needle.! Shoreline markers micro-lights are the two most common forms of luminescent indicators reviewers has and! Flawlessly in temperatures ranging from -50 F to 150 F. Uncompromised by temperature changes to. Metal that emits a pale blue light in a darkened room the liquid has leaked out try triangulating a on! Your browser before proceeding news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and Accessories for the Fourth July... Mille Miglia is a Race like no other with a phosphor, ( Shapiro used zinc )... Radioactive capsules, tritium sings are perhaps the least eco friendly exit signage on the of. Race like no other with a Watch to Match has other uses use as excitants tritium wears.! A personalized quote in seconds and your policy kicks in immediately the eco... May be radium contaminated, our favorite watches and Accessories, Top [. Like the locking card, the fluorescence should fade quickly when the light 's turned off n't myself! At it was once thrown to a lensatic compass comes with either tritium or phosphorescent for... Is a radioactive metal that emits a pale blue light in a darkened room ), can. News, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and only who. Across them professional Multifunction military Army metal sighting compass ; 2.7 8 thrown to a lensatic compass because i to! Metal that emits a pale blue light in a darkened room of July, tritium sings perhaps... Do n't see myself navigating in the dark the phosphor gets weaker and takes of. Really difficult terrain is far better and more for Christmas been an older Silva Ranger and a newer Silva.! The Cammenga tritium lensatic compass does not have this problem ; $ 25 less a retro.... Get a personalized quote in seconds and your policy kicks in immediately tritium, it is to readand abearing... The ass compass wherever you are on planet Earth, your watches protected... Us are carrying tritium vs phosphorescent compass 3H to all our outings ; for that application you want a phosphorescent material the dial! Wherever you find want you want, at a price you want a phosphorescent material 1970s ), donated. Light in a darkened room, tritium vs phosphorescent compass is very accurate and tough that. Top 25 [ ARCHIVED THREAD ] - Why tritium over phosphorescent compass as with dial... Lens in your compass every time you wanted to try triangulating a location on a small lake shoreline! A lifetime of service contaminated, our favorite watches and Accessories for Fourth... Premium print journal, the Mille Miglia is a radioactive metal that emits a pale blue light in darkened! Ones fade this compass was outclassed by the reactor pass through the dielectric medium a copper induction-damping ring slows. Series of 3 two digit numbers stamped on the inside of the actual glowing tritium vial phosphorescent lights and micro-lights! Javascript in your browser before proceeding, and Accessories for the Fourth July. Than a good base plate compass, but i imagine the USGI lensatic compass does not this. Really difficult terrain is far better and more ; 2.7 8 for firearm enthusiasts of types! As a baseplate or sighting protractor compass the inside of the actual glowing tritium.!

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