Marine hand-bearing compass built to deliver clear, reliable bearings for coastal and inshore sailors. Brings reassurance when lining up landmarks at dusk or in poor light, making navigation less stressful. Is the compact AB Tools Plastimo Iris 50 Compass the right choice for routine boat navigation?
⚡ At a Glance
- • Bearing Accuracy: Wide 20° field of view supports steady sighting and clear bearings
- • Best for: Sailors and small-boat navigators who need simple, reliable hand bearings
- • Not ideal for: Navigators who require electronic heading data or GPS integration
Compact hand-bearing compass with a 20° field of view and photoluminescent lighting. Scratch-resistant lens and robust construction suit regular marine use.
Accurate Sightings – thanks to prism-projected bearings and no parallax error
A prism projects the bearing so the sight line and scale align, removing parallax error and enabling more reliable readings. The wide 20° field of view makes target acquisition quicker when sighting distant objects.
Dependable readings when lining up marks or buoys, reducing guesswork during manoeuvres. Consistent accuracy supports safer course-keeping in coastal waters.
Visible in Low Light – with built-in photoluminescent lighting
Photoluminescent materials store light and glow in dim conditions, providing a readable scale without external illumination. The lighting is integrated so no separate power source is required.
Readings remain legible at dawn, dusk and during night passages, helping maintain situational awareness. No fiddly switches or batteries needed for basic night use.
Durable and Practical – thanks to a very hard, scratch-resistant lens
A specially hardened lens resists scratches from deck scuffs and exposure to abrasive particles common on boats. The compact dimensions, approximately 80mm by 70mm, keep the instrument easy to handle and store.
Lens clarity lasts through regular marine wear, so sighting remains precise over time. Small footprint and robust construction suit cramped cockpits and frequent handling.
✨ The 4 Key Reasons for AB Tools Plastimo Iris 50 Compass
- Wide 20° field of view – Allows quicker target acquisition across open water and reduces eye strain
- Built-in photoluminescent lighting – Ensures bearings remain visible during dawn and night passages
- Prism-projected bearing with no parallax – Delivers consistently accurate readings when lining up distant objects
- Very hard, scratch-resistant lens – Withstands deck scuffs and salt spray for durable clarity
📋 Technical Details at a Glance
- Product Type: Hand bearing compass
- Model: Iris 50
- Brand: AB Tools / Plastimo
- Field of View: 20 degrees
- Lighting: Built-in photoluminescent lighting
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the compass suitable for night or low-light navigation?
A: Built-in photoluminescent lighting keeps the scale readable in low light without a separate power source, so bearings remain visible at dawn, dusk and during night passages.
Q: How accurate are the readings?
A: A prism projects the bearing and removes parallax error, and user feedback notes accurate and consistent measurements when sighting landmarks or buoys.
Q: Will the compass cope with regular marine wear?
A: The lens is described as very hard and scratch-resistant, which helps maintain clarity through deck scuffs and typical salt-spray exposure.
🏆 Our Verdict
The AB Tools Plastimo Iris 50 Compass suits coastal and inshore sailors who need straightforward, reliable hand bearings. Photoluminescent lighting, a wide field of view and a scratch-resistant lens combine to make readings easy to take in a range of conditions. Long-term value comes from durable materials and consistent accuracy for routine navigation tasks.
