Examining the liquid prismatic compass

[Badger]

Examining the liquid prismatic compass

With thanks to member trademarklondon for this video ... Original Forum Thread (click here)

The video is not a demonstration of how to service a liquid prismatic compass, but is an indication of the problems an unqualified person will encounter should they try to do it themselves. It is a very fast, synthetic view of a job that actually takes several hours, and does not show the calibration, a skill that takes years to learn. The video will possibly help those who want to try, though it is not intended as a guideline for that purpose, but more it is to point out the dangers of Radium 226, and the fact that once opened a compass immediately loses its calibration, and re-calibration to within one half of one degree at all four cardinal points is an integral part of servicing, and which takes specialist optical instruments and a qualified person to carry out and be able to certify the compass. The video will also dispel various urban myths, such as using gunge to seal the glass, a special press to seal the glass to the gunge, and types of fluid to use or not to use.

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Examining the liquid prismatic compass
Video length = 19 minutes

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[muffett.2008]

Badger, I've been looking at the start of this post ..examining the liquid....and can envisage you with a glass of fine red, only to find it's about compasses.

[Beagleboy]

Cheers Badger for a very informative video. Just so happens I purchased a Prismatic Compass a while ago and have dismantled it, except for removing the fluid. You talk about dirupting the ring or compass card which can cause the compass to go out of calibration. Would there be a procedure to re-calibrate as I'm unsure as to that skill base still available particular to the Prismatic Compass? Well, where I live anyway.

[gunner]

A good tool to find your way without the need of batteries and GPS signals! Old style but works even it is getting wet