Suunto SK-8 Wrist Compass

8th iteration of this compass from Suunto. Very solid, easy to use especially on the optional retractor, which allows it to be pointed easily underwater for accurate bearings. Easy to navigate with, an essential bit of kit! Half of our club dive with this, or an earlier version of the compass. This one can be used almost everywhere in the world, so much improved on version 7.

The compass is very forgiving if not held perfectly level. The card does not stick unless held at an extreme angle. The bezel rotates easily enough, while the detents hold your setting. The side window is easy to see, although on my compass the degree markings were slightly off, bezel vs. side window, but certainly close enough for u/w navigation.My only gripe about the compass is the wrist band. The band is not a traditional watch type band. There is molded catch that must be popped into a hole for the band to hold securely. This is very difficult to do with a gloved hand. Also, the band has a knob on the end which prevents the strap from completely coming out of the buckle. This made it impossible for me to put the compass on my wrist while wearing a drysuit ... MoreThe compass is very forgiving if not held perfectly level. The card does not stick unless held at an extreme angle. The bezel rotates easily enough, while the detents hold your setting. The side window is easy to see, although on my compass the degree markings were slightly off, bezel vs. side window, but certainly close enough for u/w navigation.My only gripe about the compass is the wrist band. The band is not a traditional watch type band. There is molded catch that must be popped into a hole for the band to hold securely. This is very difficult to do with a gloved hand. Also, the band has a knob on the end which prevents the strap from completely coming out of the buckle. This made it impossible for me to put the compass on my wrist while wearing a drysuit with dry gloves. Also, the band is a bit short to be worn over a drysuit. I replaced the band with a longer velcro band, and it works perfectly now.

I really like this compass. It is easy to use and is quite forgiving if not held perfectly horizontal. I purchased this one as a replacement for my previous Suunto SK7 which suddenly stopped working one day. It looked like the magnetic card jumped off the pivot and, 100ft down it no longer worked! Back on the surface a couple of days later & it worked again, took it diving & same problem! GRrrr. I liked the compass so much that I'm giving it another shot with a new Suunto SK7 and hopefully this one will work out better - if not then I'm (reluctantly) going to find a different kind.I purchased the one with the wrist band simply because this was the cheapest version. Personally, I don't use the wrist band and, as other reviewers have said, the band isn't the best of ... MoreI really like this compass. It is easy to use and is quite forgiving if not held perfectly horizontal. I purchased this one as a replacement for my previous Suunto SK7 which suddenly stopped working one day. It looked like the magnetic card jumped off the pivot and, 100ft down it no longer worked! Back on the surface a couple of days later & it worked again, took it diving & same problem! GRrrr. I liked the compass so much that I'm giving it another shot with a new Suunto SK7 and hopefully this one will work out better - if not then I'm (reluctantly) going to find a different kind.I purchased the one with the wrist band simply because this was the cheapest version. Personally, I don't use the wrist band and, as other reviewers have said, the band isn't the best of designs. My preference is to use it on a retractor clipped off to a shoulder D Ring so I put this one on my old retractor. I'd be a lot happier if Sunnto would just sell the bare compass module at a lower price to replace failed units.