You are correct. The dip would throw the card off and might be a
problem. In fact some tasco binocs with built in compass sold here did
not work for the reason! No compass seeks the pole(s). They just align
themselves with local field. If you look at a large scale chart with
variation the lines can often wander a great deal (let alone the local
anomalies).

Cheers MC

Simple Simon wrote:

Since the north magnetic pole is not resting upon the surface of the Earth
compasses made for Northern Hemisphere use are usually weighted on the
card on the southern side to keep the card more level as the north side of
the card seeks out the north pole buried well inside the Earth.

Are the compasses you Australian and New Zealand ******s use weighted
any differently? What if you were going to sail to Canada or something.
Would your southern compass work in the Northern hemisphere? Also
does you compass really seek the North magnetic pole or is it made
backwards to seek the south magnetic pole.

Enquiring minds want to know . . .

S.Simon