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.