XGeology Geological Compass DQL-8

From the looks, heft and feel you'd not be able to tell this thing from a real Brunton. As others have noted, the needle takes a while to settle down sort of like an older Brunton. The magnet looks like a rare earth magnet, but it's apparently just a plain old magnet, otherwise it works like an old Brunton. I did not get to try adjusting declination because it uses a tiny screw to secure the adjustment screw and I could not find a tiny screwdriver to fit it. It does include a screwdriver for the adjustment screw. Also note that mine did not come with a halfway decent leather holster like some have posted. Mine has a crappy fake leather thing. And has METAL sights not plastic like the new Bruntons. Not at all bad. for $50. I have an embarrassing number of Bruntons - old ones, new ones, Japanese made ones, Real Bruntons including the Compro, standard one (in lovely blue), the Geo and the Axis. Certainly not quite as good as a new Brunton, but it works and does have metal sights (my beef with Brunton). The manual (if you can call it that) is pretty much useless, but you can download a Brunton manual online and it's gonna work the exact same way. If you don't already know how to use a Brunton, there are many YouTube videos and as I indicated you can download the manual. It is a well made and accurate knock off of the Brunton (copyright expired years ago). Perfect for a poor geology student.

First thing you have to understand is that this is a compass for geologists and others who make measurements in the field. The people who have given it low marks don't understand this. They are trying to use it as an orienteering compass. There are many simpler, less expensive alternatives, including ones from Brunton, that are better for that. But if you want to measure such things as geological strike and dip or accurate azimuths to a degree or so, this does the job well at a fraction of the cost of a Brunton Pocket Transit. It is surprisingly well made for a Chinese import. As others have said, it takes a few seconds for the needle to stablize, but when it does, it is accurate. Others have complained about the mirror alignment but mine is spot on. I was surprised to see that the clinometer scales for degree and percent slope are switched from the positions they are with a true Brunton, but then I realized why. With the true Brunton, the vernier adjustment lever on the back is in the exact center of the compass. On this one, it is offset (probably to make it cheaper to manufacture). Because of this, the scales must be moved up from where they are on the Brunton. If the degree scale was above the percent slope scale as in the Brunton, the numbers near 90 degrees would be partially hidden by the frame. Switching the positions of the scales avoids this problem. It still measures inclination accurately. I can't say yet how durable it will be, but it seems well made (even Brunton tells you not to walk around extensively with the compass open). I wish the outside was painted a lighter color than black so it would be easier to spot if you set it down in the field, but that is a minor concern that is easily fixed with some yellow tape.

I own two Brunton Pocket Transits. My first one is a plastic Com Pro 5008 and the second one is a circa 1950s aluminum body Brunton. I have used them for cave surveying. They are not used much by cavers anymore, but for some situations they work better than Sunnto type instruments. I bought this one mostly because I was intrigued by it, and wanted to see how it would compare to my other Brunton compasses I am actually surprised at how good it is considering how much it cost (55.00).I have taken a few azimuths readings with it and, compared it to the real Brunton and they are spot on; however, the Harbin is a bit harder to use. The reasons I say harder are as follows. The image in the mirror is slightly distorted compared to the Brunton. This is more noticeable when you are sighting on a far away target. I do not think that it is a glass mirror. The bullseye level was not as easy to center, it was a bit twitchy, but still usable. The needle took longer to settle down compared to the Plastic Com Pro, but around the same time as older Brunton, but you can always slow the oscillation with the needle lift mechanism One thing I did notice was that the needle of the Harbin compass made a rattling noise .I took a few incline readings and was surprised at how smooth the mechanism worked, and I came up with the same results as the Brunton. You do have to be careful because the degree and percentage vernier are reversed. The case is not a lot of protection. I ordered a leather medium tape measure case from Forestry supply to use in the field. I did try to use the Brunton ball and socket head with the Harbin compass ,and although it would fit in the slots it would not tighten up enough to lock in place due to the slots being milled too deep .It may be possible to use a shim that would allow use of the ball and socket head. In conclusion for the money it is a reasonably usable instrument. If the maker would use a glass mirror(this is the compasses biggest flaw) ,a bit better bullseye level, and use the same tolerance slots in the sides as Brunton it would be a great improvement .For the cost it is still a very good pocket transit and I will probably be less afraid of damaging it, thus I will be more likely to carry it with me.

I own a Brunton, but I am teaching Field Geology this fall and discovered that our collection of real Bruntons is in a sad state of repair. A web search turned up the Harbin compass, and I bought one on a whim to see if it would work at all for our class needs. I admit my expectations were not high. Sure enough the case is nothing to speak about. But, surprise, surprise, the instrument itself is really a solid, nice build. It has a metal case (painted black), a free spinning, weighted needle, azimuth dial with clinometer, ability to sight (and the sighting arms are stiff enough that they do not flop), a better damper than my real Brunton, and a little catch pin that keeps the top aligned with the rest of the compass when the top is closed. The various parts are held together with actual screws (so you can adjust the stiffness of the hinges) and the internal components are held in with metal keepers just like a real Brunton. The end result is vastly better than the hard plastic -bodied Bruntons that my Department bought some years ago. My only quibble (aside from the black body which will be easy to lose in the field) is that the needle is white with a red end on the SOUTH end, not the north end...I will be popping the glass off my new compass (there is a keeper and everything!) to rectify this issue with a daub of paint. I will also paint the body some day glow colors so I can find it in the field. The other need is to buy a better case. As some other reviewers note, a good leather case (~$38) costs almost as much as the compass itself! I am frankly flabbergasted that Harbin has made such a nice instrument for such a low price....

In all honesty, I got this because it looked cool. I'm not a geologist and won't be using this to measure strike and dip. I don't map out caves. I was looking to replace my sylva compass that developed a huge bubble that made it worthless. I saw this, thought about it for a couple days, and ordered it after watching videos about how they worked and what it was used for. After a few days of use, I love it! It takes some skill to get the pointer to hold still, but with the mirror and pointer, my accuracy is spot on. I don't really use the compass for determining elevation. Some years ago I did a lot of land nav in the military, and taught a few folks how to use a lensatic compass over a measured course. Initially most would be at least 5 or more degrees off and hundreds of feet off target after a km. I'd be surprised if, using this compass, they were off by more than a few feet. Today I use this as a contractor to determine communications bearings at radio sites and map out locations between mountains and hills. For me it is so much better than a 'normal' compass. The durability is very good if the lid is closed and not bounced around while being carried. I've used this almost daily for about a month and it's still as good as new. But I take care of my things - your milage may vary. Would I get this again? You betcha. Cheaper and easily as durable an any other compass, a lot more accurate, and the cool factor is off the charts.

This is certainly not a Brunton and can’t expect it for the price. But, when you need specialized equipment to get through summer camp and won’t likely use it again, this did the job just fine, and didn’t cost $600. After going through summer field camp with this, I’d make the same decision again.

As my review title would suggest, this is obviously not a Brunton. I have had this pocket transit/geological compass for almost four years now. In that time it has never failed me. For a fraction of the cost of a Brunton, you get, what is to me, a very quality piece of equipment. As other have stated, the fact it "doesn't point north" is partly true. It does point north, but for those who know the purpose and use of a pocket transit understand that the directional markings are not like a normal compass because it serves a specific purpose. In four years I have used this compass to shoot azimuthes, determine angle and grade of a slope, determine the height of objects, as a level/clinometer, and a plumb bob. Things to note, on mine, the large and small peep sites were very stiff when I recieved it. I used a tooth pick to put a drop of olive oil in each joint and worked them back and fourth and the loosened up. The channels in the side are not long enough to use effectively with a Brunton tripod. You can, if careful, but it will be wobbly. I'm not sure how dampened the needle is, as it seems to take a little longer than a Brunton to settle at north. One thing I do kind of like about it over the Brontun, other than the price, is that the needle arrow of north, a band at the south arrow, and all four cardinal directions do glow in the dark. Overall, if you are looking for a geological compass but don't want to pay the price point of a Brunton, this is your product. Know that it is not a compass meant to be used for land navigation, and won't "point north". Pocket transits are truly the original multi-tool for caving, construction, geology, engineering, and mining. It takes the place of many different tools and fits conveniently on your belt.

I bought this compass to use for class and work after seeing the price of the brand name, I figured why not. I'm glad I did. This compass is almost exactly like the Brunton issued for class. I've used both side by side and can not tell any difference in readings. The quality is almost as good. The line sighting arm is slightly crooked less than a couple of degrees, which might be able to straighten out. The other quirk is the inclinometer seems a little more difficult to get perfectly leveled, but seems to be getting smoother with use or I am getting better at applying the correct pressure to set it. Yes, as others have mentioned, the red paint being on the south pointing needle was a bit tricky at first, but you soon get used to reading it. Often when measuring strike, your going to use the one reading <180 anyway. The case isn't quite the quality but wear it out and then order the nice case and still have a few hundred extra.