dkallan

Good pole, very lightweight with interchangeable cups (and a very good interchanging system). Switchable between shock-absorbing and non-shock-absorbing modes, but non-shock-absorbing mode is still surprisingly spongy and does not feel all that different. Wrist straps are a little awkward where it crosses the thumb, but otherwise it is a well-designed pole. If I could do it again, I would have gone for the cork grips, which handle sweat well and feel better against the skin.

This is simply the best filter out there, in terms of durability, capacity, and effectiveness. It is also extremely heavy and not at all compact, but I would choose it any day over the smaller and less durable Katadyns or any other brand. As an added measure against chemical impurities (which are not filtered by the ceramic element), I use the StopTop from my old Pur Scout on the output hose. The StopTop uses activated carbon/charcoal in a manner similar to Brita or Pur pitcher filters to statically absorb certain chemicals (additionally, the StopTop perfectly fits wide-mouth Nalgene bottles). Apparently, Pur stopped shipping the StopTops with their filters because the charcoal also interfered with the purifying iodine, making the main filter less effective. I don't know if the Katadyn would have the same problem, since the filter is silver-impregnated ceramic, but it sure is convenient. Take note that the instructions are a little misleading about cleaning, since apparently the handled cleaning brush is no longer included. Instead they provide large scrubby pads to clean the filter. Highly recommended.

This is a very good combination baseplate/mirrored sighting compass. It could even be used for surveying, although for professional surveying I would prefer a GEO Transit with its locking needle and better sighting. However, the Eclipse Pro handles most situations very well, and with the sighting lines and some practice you will be able to produce very consistent and repeatable field readings. The compass includes some very handy reference cards with instructions on forward and reverse sighting, triangulation, map scales, a 7.5-minute quadrangle UTM grid, and other navigation techniques. The hinges are a little loose and spongy, so that the compass cover may want to close on its own a little more than it should (at 45 degrees I usually have to hold the sight cover in place with my finger just to see both sighting lines and the sight hole). It also includes a mirrored sighting clinometer, pretty accurate, and a hinge clinometer, which, to me, seems extremely inaccurate, especially given the loose hinges (the hinge index line has a mind of its own and is pulled maybe 5 degrees in either direction just by opening and closing the hinge). For some reason, the bubble level is not visible in sighting mode. I had to drill a hole through the plastic to make it visible, which would work a little better if the mirror were wider like in the GEO transits. Also, it is difficult to *accurately* align the needle disk Northing circle with the orienting circle, since the diameters are slightly different and the vertical space between them can easily lead to a one-degree margin of error just by the angle of your eye. You must be very vigilant to double-check yourself, a balancing act that takes some practice. However, the magnifying window works very well for taking easy-to-read azimuths, both forward and reverse. The needle disks are not global needles like on some other compasses, meaning that this compass is only good in one quadrant of the world, which is fine for me. The lanyard/reference card/rubber boot system is a little awkward, and I worry about creasing the cards with time. However, despite a few quirks, when it comes down to choosing a compass for near-professional surveying accuracy with both baseplate and sighting features, I would recommend none other.