Marine navigation tool, the Davis Instruments Mark 3 Marine Sextant, helps learners take reliable celestial sights at sea. Gives new mariners confidence when practising traditional navigation. Is it the right choice for training courses and inclusion in lifeboat kits?
⚡ At a Glance
- • Navigational Accuracy: Suitable for basic sight-taking and practical training exercises
- • Best for: Sailing students, yacht crews and lifeboat or emergency kits
- • Not ideal for: Observers who require optical magnification to find very dim celestial bodies
Full-sized plastic training sextant supplied with sunshades and no optical magnification. Includes an instruction booklet and has a history of use by sailors worldwide.
Straightforward learning - with an included instruction booklet
Instruction booklet explains basic sight-taking steps, index adjustments and reading the arc in clear, sequential guidance. Practical diagrams and step instructions support on-deck practice.
Beginners can learn essential techniques without searching for separate manuals, shortening the learning curve during lessons and drills.
Light and manageable handling - with a moulded plastic full-sized frame
Moulded plastic construction preserves a full-sized arc while keeping overall weight low and simplifying handling during repeated sights. Plastic parts avoid metal corrosion concerns inherent in saltwater environments.
Easier to hold steady on a rolling deck, suitable for repeated practice sessions and routine use aboard small yachts.
Practical at sea - with full-sized arc and sunshades
A full-sized graduated arc provides familiar scale markings for angle measurement, while fitted sunshades reduce glare when sighting bright bodies such as the sun. No optical magnifier is fitted, so targets must be located by eye.
Works well for routine daytime sights and emergency fixes, and suits inclusion in lifeboat kits where simplicity and familiarity matter.
✨ The 4 Key Reasons for Davis Instruments Mark 3 Marine Sextant
- Instruction booklet - Guides beginners through practical sight-taking exercises on board
- Full-sized arc - Provides a familiar scale for more confident angle readings during training
- Sunshades - Reduces glare when sighting bright celestial bodies for clearer measurements
- Plastic construction - Keeps weight low and simplifies handling during repeated use at sea
📋 Technical Details at a Glance
- Category: Sports / Marine Navigation
- Brand: Davis Instruments
- Product Type: Training sextant
- Material: Plastic (moulded)
- Size: Full-sized arc
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the sextant suitable for beginners?
A: Yes, it is described as a training sextant and includes an instruction booklet to guide beginners through basic sight-taking steps.
Q: Does the sextant have optical magnification or a telescope?
A: No, the instrument is full-sized and fitted with sunshades but has no optical magnification to help find dim celestial bodies.
Q: Can it be used for lifeboat or emergency kits?
A: Often called a "Lifeboat" sextant and noted as having been taken by sailors around the world, making it suitable for inclusion where a simple, reliable sighting tool is needed.
🏆 Our Verdict
Ideal for sailing students, yacht crews and anyone assembling a lifeboat or emergency navigation kit. The combination of a full-sized plastic arc, fitted sunshades and an instruction booklet makes learning and routine sight-taking straightforward. Durable, simple construction promises long-term practical value as a training and backup navigational instrument.
