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Pedal kayaks can often have a lot of similarities, so it can be difficult to work out which one might be more suitable for your needs, especially if they’re around a similar price point.
Let’s check out the Hobie Outback vs Compass to see what the differences are between the two.
The Mirage Outback
The Mirage Outback is a pedal fishing kayak that’s designed for both ocean and freshwater adventures. It features a MirageDrive 180 pedal drive system with new Turbo Kick-Up fins, allowing you to go forwards and backwards. It also comes with a wider Vantage CTW seat and a two piece paddle.
- Length: 12 foot 9 inches
- Width: 34 inches
- Weight: 103 pounds (fully rigged)
- Weight Capacity: 425 pounds
The Outback is designed to provide a stable fishing platform and features advanced EVA grip pads on the deck for added traction for standing. It can be ideal for open water and currents, with the rudder system helping to improve tracking.
The rudder also features Kick-Up technology so it automatically kicks up in shallows or when it hits underwater objects. And it can be controlled using the knobs on both sides of the deck.
This craft is designed to let you get to your fishing hole quickly and quietly, using your feet. It has plenty of space to store your gear, including four flush mounted rod holders, H-Rails and H-Tracks for mounting additional accessories, a large rear tank well and a covered bow hatch. There’s also a rectangular center hatch for tackle storage.
It could be a comfortable kayak for a long day of fishing.
Pros
- Stable
- Kick-Up fins and rudder
- Standing platform
- Lots of storage
Cons
- Heavy
- Expensive
The Mirage Compass
The Mirage Compass is a pedal kayak that’s built for fishing and recreational paddling. It is relatively lightweight for a pedal kayak and features a MirageDrive GT pedal drive system, a rudder system and a two piece paddle.
Video: MirageDrive GT for Hobie kayaks
- Length: 12 foot
- Width: 34 inches
- Weight: 87 pounds (fully rigged)
- Weight Capacity: 400 pounds
The MirageDrive GT pedal system on the Compass features Kick-Up fin technology that can be ideal for shallow or rocky zones. A downside of this pedal drive system is that you can only pedal forwards.
The rudder is designed to flip up on impact with underwater objects and it can be steered using the control on the deck next to the seat.
The mesh fabric seat is built for breathability and comfort, and can be adjusted. It is mounted at an optimal height for fishing.
As for storage, there’s a large cargo deck with bungees at the stern and a mesh covered storage area at the bow. There’s also two flush mounted rod holders and an 8 inch center hatch. Additionally, the two H-Tracks can let you mount your accessories.
This could be a good choice of kayak for a light fishing trip or even a recreational trip. If you’re looking for additional fishing features and extra mounting points, the Outback might be more suitable.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Kick-Up fins and rudder
- Stable
Cons
- Limited fishing features
- Forward-only pedal drive
Compass Vs. Outback – The Differences
Compass
- Forward pedaling only
- No padded standing platform
- Single rudder control
- Shorter hull
- Two H-tracks
- No H-Rails
- 8 inch hatch
- Mesh covered bow storage
- Lighter (87 pounds)
- Lower capacity (400 pounds)
- Mesh seat with adjustable back
Outback
- Forward and reverse pedaling
- Padded standing platform
- Dual rudder controls
- Longer hull
- Twice as many H-Tracks
- Two H-Rails
- Rectangular tackle hatch
- Bow hatch
- Heavier (103 pounds)
- Higher capacity (425 pounds)
- Wider, more elevated four-way adjustable Vantage seat
Finishing Off
The Hobie Outback and Compass have some things in common, for example, they’re both pedal kayaks and both are designed for increased stability for fishing.
One of the main differences between them is that the Outback can go forwards and backwards and the Compass can only move forwards. There are also differences in the seating, with the Outback having an improved multi-adjustable seat.
The Outback tends to have more features in general and could be a better choice if you’re a serious angler.
Let us know what you think and remember to share if you found it useful.
The compass can go backwards now.