The Covert Compass from Shomer-Tec is a genuine nickel that has been modified to function as a simple compass that will point to magnetic North. The nickel has a groove around the edge that is used to suspend the coin from a thread. You supply the thread and when dangled, the heads side of the coin will point the way North. This extremely basic compass was inspired by similar compasses used by allied service men in WWII. No one would guess that this coin is a compass, making it the perfect addition to your spy gear toolbox. The Covert Compass is available from Shomer-Tec for $24. They also offer a Euro coin version for $29. They are going to send me one to try, so l’ll have a full report soon.
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$29 for a magnetized coin worth 5 cents. Am I not the only person who finds this absurd? And they do not even supply you w the thread to hold it.
I can buy a real compass from REI for about the same price –
http://www.rei.com/product/408150/suunto-m-3d-leader-compass
and several for a whole lot less. What happens if you accidentally spend your magnetized $29 nickle?
@Donald
I guess you gonna fork out again $33.95 ($24 + shipping) for another nickel.
I can see why servicemen in WWII might have needed something like this – to conceal that they were carrying it, in case they were captured. (I’ll assume carrying a compass would count as ‘spy equipment’ or something.) But otherwise: Why? You can get compasses that aren’t any bulkier, and are easier to use. (And harder to lose.) Why not just carry one of them? I can find 8-packs for two bucks; you won’t even care if you lose it.
Other than the novelty, I don’t see the point of this.
You won’t need a fancy nickel with a regular $2 compass that points North. Or just use the compass on the phone you already have.
Everyone is comparing this to a regular compass. This is a covert compass so that people won’t know it’s a compass. Think James Bond or Jack Bauer.
A: Yeah, but we *aren’t* James Bond or Jack Bauer, and there’s no real advantage for this in any other situation. It’s not even as good a compass.
B: The compass they’d give James Bond or Jack Bauer is this one: http://www.bestglide.com/FB1605_Info.html It’s smaller, more accurate, easier to use, and more durable. It’s even harder to take from you. (It’s designed to be *swallowed* in an emergency, so you can get it later…)
DStaal ok that one you linked to is really cool. 🙂 As for this one, I thought it was interesting so I wrote about it. They sent me one to try out and I received it today. I’ll try to test it this weekend and post a super quickie review. More than anything it’s a conversation piece…
Dang, $9.99 for shipping and handling for a dang nickle!
No problem; it does work as a conversation piece. I just don’t see any *other* use. 😉
@DSaal,
Well it also points South!
Points to where the center of the Earth is!
And like magic can be changed into five pennies!