Review - Suunto M-3 Global

3 minute review of the Suunto M-3 Global

[Tengu]

The biggest issue with red print is that if you are using a red filter on your torch, at night, , the print will simply disappear.

[flashgordon]

This is the compass I use here in Canada. Have found it to be great tool. Thanks for reviewing this.

[QuantumMechanic_]

Explaining what an actual Romer is and its' history, would be a nice video. Thanks for this very nice video.

[redf]

I have the M-3 but not the Global. It has no romer on it at all, just various scales. It does not have an inclinometer needle. I want to agree with you about the red text but I find it does stand out against an OS map underneath better than black. I really like the grip on this bezel, its just what you need when fingers are numb and its bezel is not too tight or too loose. I've replaced the lanyard with the one that was on a Silva with ruler markings on, (although you can buy those as a silva accessory). Another big winner for me was the larger magnifying glass. The smaller ones on some compasses are more convex and give you more reflection and glare to obscure what you are looking at. The needle is accurate but well dampened, there is virtually no swing on it that needs settling or delay in movement. It just efficiently points.

[tomconway]

You keep producing great content. Thanks

[derryhamilton]

It's the one I use when I'm outside the northern Europe balance zone. I got it shortly after landing in NZ since I knew none of my UK compasses would work. It's robust and works well, but I prefer the Silva ones when I'm at home.

[jimf]

The M3 is one of my favourites. I agree completely with this assessment.

[Βόρειο_Σέλας]

Super as always.
I was waiting for this one! I have the M3G for a good 7 years now in Australia, there is no M3 balanced for southern hemisphere just Global to my knowledge.
I find it fantastic, reliable and accurate. Never use the clinometer but do use the declination adjustment because its there. It also has 1:15, 000 scale at the front which I use all the time with my custom maps. Agree with romer scales, here in AU we our maps are more common 25k, 50k, less common but plentiful 30k and 15k.
Now I am waiting to hear what your thoughts are for the Silva Explorer (orange bezel), I have seen you use one in your videos.
Cheers from down under🦘

[gordonmiller]

My Suunto M-3 (not a global model, purchased in 2023) has a different base plate layout than your Suunto M-3G. My baseplate layout is possibly better suited for UK use than the baseplate style/print layout on your Suunto M-3G. It might be worth exploring Suunto's different baseplate offerings, if so inclined. On another note, as a young infantryman in the 1980s, I used a Suunto M-3 as my backup compass to my issued lensatic compass. I still have this 1980s M-3 and it still works flawlessly. Also, it has a different baseplate style/print layout than these described above. All the very best, Gordon

[Sebastian-lwei]

In this Suunto M-3 Global why do you consider the 1:24, 000 a Romer but not the dual 1:25, 000 / 1:50, 000? Is it because of the orientation? One could just turn the compass 90deg to align it properly or am I missing something?

[zathrasnotzathras]

This is a compass I have. I find the Romer very difficult to use on a map so I have an extra one that I use instead. I also dislike the red printing, especially for the declination adjustment. I find it difficult to read.

[Hector-vxyc]

Hi map reading company! Are there compasses for southern hemisphere? I’m always hearing about northern hemisphere and global compasses, would there be a difference? What would I need to look for between a northern and southern hemisphere compass if there is such a difference? Or does it matter? Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge and review? My brother, your awesome and absolutely loving channel and all of the content. 👍🏽💯❤️🇺🇸 Washington State.

[erickroeger]

After a weekend trying to navigate at Search and Rescue class, with a Suunto global compass, I returned it to the store. The global needle would bind way too often to be considered reliable. During sighting of a bearing, it would stick, and I could rotate 45 degrees in either direction with no impact to the needle. I've never seen a (quality) compass behave like this. Otherwise, it looked like a nice compass. I ordered another Silva Ranger, after retiring my 30 year old Ranger. The problem is that lousy global needle. Why do I need that thing? It's been 25 years since I went to the southern hemisphere. I can buy another compass if I go again. Or perhaps just use my gps.

[shastaham]

In your first example, it appears that the route would be in a WSW direction, but your instructions have you going in a WNW direction. You may want to rethink your instructions. Sometimes logic trumps overthinking.

[Willard]

What exactly is a “global” compass please?

[LouiseBrooksBob]

I guess if it's a global compass, it's got a global set of scales and romers?

[chrishamilton]

Be wary of Suunto. They do not honour their warranty commitments. I have bought two Suunto’s 2023 & 2024 and both were delivered dry. Suunto demanded that I pay them to take them back into stock to assess them to see whether they were responsible or not. Disgusting customer service as well. BE WARY.

[terrylowell]

Watched a clever piece on YouTube by Stand-up math explaining why Greenwich meridian is in the wrong spot. You would enjoy.

[jkg]

I feel the need to politely disagree.
I'd give this one a 9.5 to 9.8 for a baseplate... the red lettering is the only disadvantage I personally have with it.

It's a really darn good compass. One simple factory change from red to black lettering is all that's required to make it into a 10, IMHO.

[candyquahogmarshmallow]

This is the compass I have 🧭 I like it but the scales are a little small to read for my liking.