Does anyone know for sure if you can get a Bear Takedown this year without that miserable compass? I have heard you can but have not seen anything that verifies this for sure? Thanks.

What does Bear say?

Yes they are making it without the compass this year. Personally I like the compass on mine. It kept me from spending the night in the swamp at least once this year.

I agree with Jeffer... it just looks right on my Bear T/D's.

yes, the compass has been deleted from the new 2015 risers, no more compass!

I like it on mine as well but didn't we see a riser without it and mention that they were offering it with out I thought?

Actually I have to look for the compass to realize that its there thats how much I don't notice it?LOL

No more in 2015? Thats interesting guess they wwre looking for a reason to get rid of it and it came into play to save them?

At first I didnt like the compass on mine, the more I used it the more I liked it.

I have a green strip and where the lower quiver mount was I don't use a bow quiver so I dremeled out and put a compass there love it

Have to admit I like having the compass on mine.

I am glad to have it on my bear TD. Glad to have one on my new to me chek mate

I like the compass too,very classy.

Yep...I could never understand why all the whinning about a little compass since I like it also.

Glad it is on mine .....

Glad it is on mine .....

I like the look myself...

tomandrews

Why don't you like the compas?

Just wondering?

Well frank V beat me to it.

Just what is sooo bad about the compass? IMO it adds character whether you use it or not. some people add snake skins to their bow, I personally don't care for it but I don't complain about it either. (not saying your complaining)

They probably did it to save money. Not because many whined about it. Never could understand why it was such an issue.

what about the quiver inserts hope they keep them in![I also liked the compass.]

Should be an option. Its a cheap piece of junk compass. Fred would have surely offered an option but then again these bows don't measure up to the old Grayling Takedowns. Thats why they bring a premium.

Here are two of mine, one with compass one without. I believe I like it with compass a little better. With due respect, I have 22 (five type1s) takedowns and I think both of these measure up. the 2011 Diamond wood measures up to any early model. IMHO

What's interesting to me about this thread is that to read all the other comments about the compass I believed most really hated it. But, based on the variety of comments here, it seems that most do like it and a minority hate it.

I like it to the point that I installed the same cheap compass on several other bows over the years and don't regret it at all.

I also like the quiver inserts. :)

I like the compass and the inserts. Hope I like the bear quiver that I have on order

tomandrews, I'm not sure how you're measuring the new takedowns against the Grayling takedowns. I disagree with that completely. Grayling never produced a riser as good looking as the bubinga one. Even the new two-tones are so much better looking than the Futurewood bows from Grayling. Much better than the takedowns from the 2000s also.

The limbs are also much better than previous designs.

The reason the Grayling bows bring a premium has nothing to do with measuring up. They are just scarce, collectable and bring a nostalgic response from folks alive during that period.

Phil, I think you put it very well. I think every year has measured up against the other years and the only argument can be over cosmetic differences and some fit and finish problems that can be found from the 1st on to the latest, but I think that can be said about any manufactures product (you should see the quality of my new fridge). The little "junk" compass seems to do it's job with a few exceptions. It's all good fun and comes down to personal preference. I like every year but that's just me.

and a few more

Still like the compass...

After you use the compass a few times it becomes really handy. It's funny, when friends want to look at my bow, the first thing they say is, "man, that compass is cool". Everybody that holds the bow always comments on it.

Sorry for crooked picture. They always do that, why? Please tell me!!!!

I seldom use the compass but I prefer having it. I've never owned a Grayling TD but the ones I've seen aren't as nice as the newer ones.

I'd be fine with or without it. But I do think you should have the choice, especially for the price.

I have a compass and the quiver inserts in a 2000 era model. Rather like them.

Well the old bows seemed to fit like a glove whether wood, magnesium, 1, 2, or 3 limbs they all interchanged. I see on other threads guys complaining the pins did'nt line up, separations etc. I guess I just like the vintage look of the old ones as they seemed to be a piece of art just like an old Fox, Parker Or L. C. Smith double and a bambool fly rod. An SKB shotgun or a Cabelas graphite fly rod will get the job done but I like the nostalgia of the old stuff. Just an opinion. Maybe I am a minority. If so, trade me those old Grayling Handles for a new one with a Chinese compass.

tomandrews

Thanks, I was just curious as to why you didn't like it, not judging one way or another just curious.

I know Frank. just my opinion on the compass. I guess I like them to be like the old Graylings was all I was saying. Happy shooting and hunting to you.

You bet Tom. Good shooting to you also.

Did Fred give a choice, I thought it was something he believed in and put in his bows, of course they didn't all have it but for it to be a choice would mean you could order it either way.

I remember seeing a video where he commented that people though it was cheap, but it actually cost a lot of money to put in, but they did it anyway.

I have a great sense of direction, but hunting got me once, and I got turned around in an area you might not make it out of, no sun to follow at the time either. But since my bows don't come with them, I guess I am on my own. Might be a nice add on a quiver.

I would not trust that compass. Its like a GPS with bad batteries. A good compass in a quality instrument.

I don't like it as it looks cheap and distracts from the lines of the bow and the beauty of the wood. I rarely carry a compass as I have a pretty good sense of direction. I agree that for the price you should have the option.

Tom,

Of course Bear isn't bear any more, but his point at the time was that it was a good compass, and it cost them some money to put it in. The best general compasses used to be Silva, and they were only a few bucks if you didn't buy all the bells and whistles. Maybe the cost of one arrow, or two.

Aside of which testing a compass is a known technology, so one doesn't have to trust it, unless one prefers to operate that way.

Plus, in many lost in the woods situations I have been getting general compass point directions would be fine.

I do wonder about mounting it near take down hardware, though. Still that is something that can be tested for, by swinging the compass, I think.

"Did Fred give a choice, I thought it was something he believed in and put in his bows, of course they didn't all have it but for it to be a choice would mean you could order it either way.

I remember seeing a video where he commented that people though it was cheap, but it actually cost a lot of money to put in, but they did it anyway."

The only Bear bow that I'm aware of coming from the factory with a compass installed (while Fred Bear was still alive) was the 1954 Kodiak (one piece recurve). That was the bow Fred was referring to in the video you saw.

I usually don't like compasses in a bow handle, but the compasses they used for those bows looked nicer and they did a nice job installing them (flush in the leather grip). The new ones... not so much.

Bear just started putting them in the TD handles during the last 10 years or so. Prior to that, none of the Bear TD's ever had a compass installed in them from the factory.

I personally think it'd be best if they left them out.

Then if you decided that you want one installed in your bow, all you need is 99 cents to buy yourself a compass... and a drill bit. :^)

I've tested several of these compasses mounted in bow using other more expensive compasses and they do quite fine.

I spent almost three weeks in the mountains in Utah this past fall and pretty much had a compass in my hand constantly. I checked it against the compass in my Bear riser numerous times over the course of the trip from 9,000 feet to 11,000 feet and it was always spot on. Gave me a lot more confidence in it.

I can't stand the compass because it strikes me as a cheap cracker-jack box compass, not really a tool you'd want to navigate the wilderness with. I've got a nice Silva and a Brunton pocket transit; both of these I can adjust for declination depending on my geographic location (so you can figure out what true north is). Can you adjust for declination with the compass on a Bear recurve? (serious question, I don't know). I've got a degree in geology and a big part of that degree was spending several weeks figuring out where you are in the bush with a compass and a 7.5-minute topo, and I often use my Brunton professionally to this day, so maybe I'm a bit biased. If I want a cheap compass, I'll buy a cheap compass and stick it on my keychain, I certainly wouldn't want to permanently attach it to my nice high-end recurve bow.

But I will concede this; if you're navigating the wilderness, and you happen to lose your expensive Brunton or your batteries in your GPS go out, that cheap little compass could possibly save your life (assuming you brought a paper map with you AND you know how to correct for declination).

I have never seen one of Fred Bears personal T/D's with a compass. But he did use one in the bows from the '50's through about 1966. Those were military surplus type deals, brass and glass.

The new ones are plastic, and no declination adjustment.

The new ones actually aren't cheap and are of pretty good quality. They also are an added step in manufacturing. When they were added it was around the time when the lineup of the Traditional bows expanded (2000 or so?), they were also in the wooden grips of the compound line like the Epic Extreme. I really liked them at the time. They stuck around and some people like them some don't, obviously.

It is definitely a feature that affects the appearance of the handle greatly depending on your tastes.

goldentrout_one - I'd be surprised if anyone hunting way back in uses the compass on the bow as their only compass. I know I wouldn't even though I'm sure it points to north. I always have a compass in a pocket or pack even for woodlot hunting where a blind person couldn't get lost.

If I'm carrying a bow without a compass I usually use a pin-on compass just to keep an eye on my direction. Still have my other compass if needed but the pin-on and the one in the bow are nice to keep in a general direction.

Phil

I use a pin on compass too, they are only about $3 here & you can pin them to your vest, jacket, or whatever & see them at a glance. I have one on each hunting jacket & vest.

About the compass's in Bear bows? I kind of like them. Mine is a Compass Kodiak reproduction by Tim Meigs, it's a pretty neat bow.

Fred Bears son in law Bought a crapload of them Compass's back in 53 they put them on the fisrt full recurves in 54 but you could get one added for $5 for a long time after Yup They were Cheap too I think unless you throw youre bow around alot they will be just fine !!!

I want a take down so bad :( with compass :)

Doesn't seem that you can please anybody anymore. They have taken it out so now, if you wanted one, you can't get one.

Like most politically correct situations. The few complaining about it over rode the majority who liked it. I for one am grateful that they don't offer it as an option. It just means trying to stock another variance. The days of being able to call and order one and have it delivered in a few weeks are gone...at least for awhile. So that means dealers would have to anticipate what everyone wants and stock a bunch of it because if it isn't ordered at the beginning of the new year, it can be months on end until it is available.

Here's an idea...lets complain about how much something costs and then ask them to go to greater expense to please us.

BigJIm

Good for you Big Jim.... I for one cant believe how much complaining is going on here all over a item that could potentially save your life, You know most of you all have been in archery much much longer than me and no one has mentioned this fact, The compass made Bear Bows unique, I like the compass just cause it makes the bow look cool. I used to work in the woods every day logging alone, have never had a need for a compass, let alone a compass you could adjust (what ever) like Jim said you cant please anybody anymore, crying shame talk about elitist.

I wonder if all the guys bitching about the compass have stepped up and ordered their new takedowns now that the compass has been removed? Doubt it. Some people just like to complain....

I must have gotten one of the last. Ordered late August received middle of December

Yeah Rooty, I would expect that they will have them until they run out of started risers...Probably have already done that though. I just got in three Lh A's. I didn't bother to check for a compass, but then I have forgotten that they are even there.

Bigjim

The thing is... it's real easy to add a compass to a riser that doesn't have one.

However, it's not so easy to remove one if you don't like it.

Those compasses only cost a few dollars if you REALLY want one in your bow.

Maybe Big Jim could install them in the risers that he sells (for an added fee)?

Then everyone would be happy. :^)

I have them in my Schafers. I like them. Its a nice added touch.

I wonder if you can get one in a new SuperK?

maybe special order

I recently bought a take down because I wanted a bow with a compass in it. Thank god I did. Also I bought two 59 kodiaks, one for hunting, one for collection. So here's the deal, take away a vintage compass and bring back a vintage bow. I don't get it!

Sorry to burst anyone's bubble, but Ralphie's Red Ryder BB gun did not have a compass in the stock.

The "Buck Jones" model is the one with the compass in the stock.

That was an error in the movie.

Best wishes.

Hey Recurve Crafter, just so happens I have a dozen compasses on the way.

Boonie, they are bringing back the oldies because that is what they hear people want. They unfortunately caved to the pressure of a few guys not wanting the compass.

All they want to do is keep Bear going strong and pleasing the customer is the way to do that...unfortunately, the trad customer is a very tough cookie.

BigJIm

Big Jim - do u mean just compasses to be installed? Or do you mean risers or bows?

If just compasses, I am interested in some to install.

Please pm.

Thanks!

Cool Jim.

That will be another feather in your cap for those who want to purchase a riser with the compass professionally installed. ;^)

Where am I going to find a professional to install one Recurve Crafter? I do like the idea of putting more feathers in my cap..they are good like and act as camo :)

Fisher, I purchased them to install for others...Putting one in a mamba this week and have had a couple requests. I recon I can put them on line for sale too..

BigJim

Count your blessings. I have a Titan III riser with a compass which I liked but it is installed too close to the limb bolt and is 15 degrees off!

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