In my collection of camping gear, I have several basic, mid-range compasses (like a $30 Silva or Brunton). They are stored together for convenience in a zipped pouch.

Does storing them together damage their magnetic properties? Should I separate them from each other and/or other metal objects?

should be fine, unless they are scratching each other.

I keep 2 USGI compasses together with no issues.

I would not think so.

http://www.silvacompass.com/detail.aspx?id=76#3

Compasses stored near one another have been known to reverse polarity. Electrical devices near them will do it too.

http://books.google.com/books?id=Z-ADAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA64&ots=Q7XsnonAsD&dq=storing%20compasses%20together%20reverse%20polarity&pg=PA64#v=onepage&q=storing%20compasses%20together%20reverse%20polarity&f=false

http://www.trailspace.com/forums/gear-repair/topics/80388.html

So what does the military order 1 compass at a time  Id think they order them in crates of thousands and store them like that too.

I'm sure the Army spent the $ to study exactly how far apart they needed to be stored to be safe.  Plus they are induction dampened perhaps that offers some protection.   In any event it is a very real problem that can impact the accuracy of a compass over time if not completely reverse the polarity 180 degrees. Compasses are weak magnets so they should not have to be stored very far apart to be safe.  It is a real issue though and one people need to be aware of.  It is why compasses need to be checked for accuracy regularly too.

Ive worried about this in the past without getting a good answer, so ya I try to keep them separated. that's another nice thing about the mil cammenga, it locks the bezel down regardless.





fwiw, besides for a pair of GPS, I prefer to do my hiking old school as I enjoy orienteering quite a bit after I learned land nav, even though I am weight conscious, I still carry three compasses when on the trail, a cammenga 3h trit, my suunto m-3 global, and then a tiny suunto clipper that I keep either attached to my watch or on my penzl as a backup.



In order to shoot a really really good bearing, I need to keep the suunto tucked away back in my pack, I also noticed that my TSAR has enough mass to pull the reading a degree or more if I don't take it off my wrist as well. a good non regional compass is more sensitive that most people realize... being in the vicinity of a vehicle, or standing near power lines, even if you take a bearing usuing the chest hold instead of the cheek then belt buckle, knife, flashlight, all tha tstuff will have an effect.


 

just to reiterate, military compasses have a locking bezel feature, they are also protetced on both sides somewhat due to the clamshell design. given some of the well known shortcomings in the camm design I do believe that things such as this and overall durability wer ein fact major considerations for the .mil.
 

Don't ask Don't Tell Lives On......

compasses are almost always in earth's perpetual magnetic field.

you have way bigger things to worry abt.

My son's silva has apparently magnetized north on the dial somehow. Cant get the arrow to sit still anywhere near the N when they intersect. Pretty weird.

Just found out when trying to use it for a Boy Scout orienteering activity a couple weekends ago.