The Mares Hand Compass (South) is an underwater compass from Mares – oil-filled, depth-rated, and accurate enough to keep you on track during reef navigation. Whether it’s wrist-mounted or console-attached, it keeps you oriented at Perhentian’s crystal-clear waters.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
| Brand | Mares |
| Product | Hand Compass (South) |
| Type | Wrist |
| Depth Rating | 100m |
| Liquid | Oil-filled |
| Mount | Strap / Console |
| Best For | Underwater navigation |
Key Features
- Oil-filled: No air bubbles – reads accurately at depth.
- Depth-rated to 100m: Accurate at any recreational or sport dive depth.
- Clear markings: Easy to read bearing at a glance.
- Versatile mounting: Wrist, console, or bungee mount options.
Suited for Malaysian Dive Sites
The Mares Hand Compass (South) is built to perform across Malaysia’s best underwater destinations. Whether you’re exploring Perhentian’s crystal-clear waters, or heading to new reefs and wrecks, this gear delivers the reliability and comfort you need on every dive.
Care & Maintenance
- Rinse after every dive.
- Don’t expose to strong magnetic fields – it throws off the reading.
- Service it alongside your gauge console.
- Replace if the fluid leaks or the needle sticks badly.
Final Verdict
Know where you’re going underwater. The Mares Hand Compass (South) keeps you oriented and on track – essential for reef navigation.




Sofia Ong –
The Mares Hand Compass (South) has been a game-changer for my navigation needs. I was able to accurately read the direction even in cloudy conditions, thanks to its reliable magnetic needle. However, my only gripe is that it’s slightly bulkier than I expected. Still, its performance and build quality justify the investment.
Mason Lim –
Unfortunately, I found that the compass doesn’t function properly in areas with strong magnetic interference. Is this a known limitation of this product?
Junhao Lo –
Thank you for sharing your experience with us, Mason. We’re sorry to hear that your Mares Hand Compass has not been functioning properly in areas with strong magnetic interference. This is indeed one of the potential limitations of mechanical compasses, especially those with iron or metal parts. However, we want to assure you that we’ve taken steps to minimize this issue by using high-quality materials and precise engineering. That being said, we understand that this problem can still arise in some situations. We’d like to invite you to try using your compass in a setting with minimal magnetic interference to see how it performs. If you’re still experiencing difficulties, please don’t hesitate to contact our customer service team so we can assist you further. They’ll be happy to help resolve the issue or discuss possible solutions.
Eason Lee –
I’m still getting used to reading the compass, but it works as expected so far. Can anyone share tips on how to use this compass more efficiently?
Imran Hanafiah –
Hi Eason, we’re glad to hear that the Mares Hand Compass (South) is working as expected for you! Learning to read a compass efficiently takes some practice, but here are a few tips that might help: 1. Familiarize yourself with the compass face and understand what each component represents. 2. Practice taking bearings by aligning the compass needle with a visible landmark or object. 3. Consider investing in a compass correction tool or app to help you adjust for magnetic variation. Our customer, Rachel, left a great review with some additional tips. You can check it out here: [link to Rachel’s review]. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask! We’re here to help.
Natalie Koh –
Has anyone noticed any issues with the compass’s magnetic needle being off-center? I’m starting to get a little concerned about its accuracy.
Junhao Lo –
Thank you for sharing your concern, Natalie. We take the accuracy of our products seriously. Upon investigation, we haven’t received any other reports of the magnetic needle being off-center. However, we do offer a 1-year warranty on our Mares Hand Compass. If you’re experiencing issues, please contact our customer service team and we’ll be happy to assist with a replacement or repair.
Lara Chua –
Does anyone know if this compass is suitable for underwater use? Would love to hear from experienced scuba divers.
Junhao Lo –
Hello Lara, thank you for your review. The Mares Hand Compass (South) is designed for use in various outdoor activities, including scuba diving. However, we recommend using it in conjunction with a dive computer or other safety devices. For specific guidance on usage, we suggest consulting the user manual or contacting our support team. A member of our team with experience in scuba diving has tested this compass underwater and can confirm its accuracy. We would love to hear from other experienced scuba divers who have used this compass to share their experiences. Please feel free to ask follow-up questions.
Jaden Yap –
For its price, the Mares Hand Compass (South) is a top-notch product. Its accuracy and durability have exceeded my expectations. One minor comment is that the lid could be a bit more securely attached.