tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38423859.post6433577789858001774..comments2009-01-01T22:57:58.483-08:00Joe Scarboroughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05379848197309003201noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38423859.post-44147369533593479342009-01-01T22:18:00.000-08:002009-01-01T22:18:00.000-08:00Joe sent me a prototype of his new Thumbnail compass, and I love it. The minimal design is exactly what I want from a compass here in the Bay Area.<BR/><BR/>I bought a Spectra Nexus a year ago. Slipped at Bon Tempe in December. Went to use my compass a short while later and all that was attached to my thumb was a piece of the thumb plate. Went back to find the broken pieces of the compass. I must have broken my fall with my hand without realizing it.<BR/><BR/>The Thumbnail with a single strap sits nicely on the back of my thumb at the base.<BR/><BR/>Close enough to the map to orient it. Yet my thumb is completely free to mark my spot. In fact my whole hand is completely free to grab anything. And the compass is always right there when I need it.<BR/><BR/>The colorwheel allows taking rough bearings or quickly heading out in the right direction. This is more than adequate for the orienteering we have in the Bay Area.<BR/><BR/>If I were to travel out of the area, I would probably bring a baseplate along as a backup in case I encountered a situation that required accurate bearings and/or pace counting.Alex Finchnoreply@blogger.com