Discussion: Thumb compass hand

I'm looking to purchase a thumb compass. Which hand do most people keep the thumb compass on? I'm looking at the Moscow 9 - any idea what the difference between the R and XR models?

Most people in my area run left thumbs. I got a left thumb, but find the map in my right hand so I am tempted to switch. You could always order both - the compass is user switchable and the other plate is like $13 ish.

My left thumb is a 3 and have been thinking about an 8 (rainbow) for the right.

The XR and LRs look like cut down versions of the L & R thumb plates - they don't have the full oval for your thumb. Haven't tried them. Some pics here.

lol you beat me to the question Escondido. I checked on O-store.ca and they have a good selection if you hadn't already seen.

Good feedback. Mr.W thanks!

Jeff Teutsch (Canadian on AP) of O-store.ca is an elite orienteer and can offer knowledgeable advice if you're looking at their compasses.

I rarely use my thumb compass but I am right-handed with a left thumb compass.

I'm still a rookie with all this, but have switched to a thumb compass (haven't tried it for a long AR yet) and although I am right handed I carry the map in my L, so ordered a L thumb compass. The map is held under the compass so always visible, if that makes sense. Don't know if that is any help at all, but I guess teh hand that holds the map would be your compass hand.
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Do you usually run a base plate then, Bash?

I have been thinking about a wrist compass for paddling and biking, over my current no compass or thumb clipped-to-pack.

As far as longer races, right, wrong or otherwise, I exclusively used a thumb for my first 24. Granted, bike nav was trivial (mostly along a trail), and paddling was downriver, so I only really had to navigate on foot.

Depends which hand you usually carry your map in. Most right handed folks I know carry left, so use L thumb compass, but I use R even though am R handed. Also, since the base & compass are interchangeable I'm pretty sure the Moscow Thumb baseplates can be reversed, you just don't get the bevelled edge for your thumb and the scale marks on base plate is on lower side and harder to use - but I never use them anyway.

Getting a little off topic, I find a wrist compass as the most convenient for adventure racing. It works well for all disciplines and is always there on your wrist and never a hassle to carry. Because it tends to be a little less precise I carry a regular rectangular base compass around my neck for times when I need to be more exact (i.e., dead reckoning).

I have used thumb compasses in orienteering a few times and it never clicked. I imagine with practice it would be slightly better in true orienteering situations but I have gotten very good at using the wrist compass and consider the difference negligible as a competitive orienteer.

To answer your question though I would use the thumb compass on my left hand with my map. I am right handed.

Thanks everyone. Interesting to hear the various uses during oreinteering vs AR. Agreed that for AR a base plate compass might be alittle easier and more precise if you've pre-determined your bearing. I've also been toying with the idea of a wrist compass for biking/paddling as it would just be much easier to read with less volatility on the needle.

@Mr. Wonderful, yes, I use a baseplate compass. I have made (and will continue to make) occasional attempts to convert to a thumb compass for orienteering since that's what the cool kids use, but I plan to stick with the baseplate for AR since I need my hands for other things. I have a clip-on compass for my bike mapboard but the baseplate is always nearby. For paddling, I sometimes attach it to my pack so I can see it in front of me in the boat. Some people I know swear by wrist compasses, and the idea definitely makes sense but I guess the wrist compass I bought wasn't high enough quality so I went back to my original methods.

LOL at "the cool kids". That was in my original version of "most people in my area". Not a bad way to pick your equipment.