Thank you. ", "It did help so much. When paired with a map, a compass can be as accurate as a GPS, but some basic skills are necessary. Trust your compass: 99.9% of the time it is giving you the correct direction. Using a triangulation method makes very little sense if you’re standing right beside a distinctive landmark. Just be sure you aren't wearing a big steel belt buckle or some other magnetic material close to the compass when doing this. Once they're aligned, this will tell you where your direction of travel arrow is pointing. In addition, it is not convenient to use a compass and map in rainy days. A sufficiently-detailed map -- such as a USGS topographical map -- will have longitude and latitude scale markings on it. Learning how to use a compass can be daunting. You will need to use a straight-edge from your location on the map and perpendicular to the longitude scale to read your longitude, and the same for latitude. Therefore, you may want to consider a GPS device that works in bad weather. This will indicate the compass is level and free to move about accurately. Think of how off you'll be after ten or twenty miles. For maximum accuracy, hold the compass up to your eye and look down the direction of travel arrow to find landmarks, guide points, etc. You need to tell it what you want it to do. A compass is one of the most basic navigation tools any hiker can own. This is fairly intuitive to learn. Step 3 Pick up the compass The face of a compass typically shows what is called the compass rose. Last Updated: December 25, 2020 How to Use the Compass to Navigate Using Your Compass to Orient a Map To orient a map is to simply place it in such a way that the top faces True North and its right side points east. Here is a very brief explanation of each method. Just type in the zip code or coordinates for the area you’ll be hiking at this NOAA website and you’ll have the exact current declination figured out for you! It is very easy to use a compass. How to Use a Military Compass Properly? https://www.summitpost.org/compass-basics-an-introduction-to-orientation-and-navigation/358187, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3sm-i7KJpM, http://www.princeton.edu/~oa/manual/mapcompass2.shtml#Compass, http://www.compassdude.com/compass-declination.php, https://www.sco.wisc.edu/learning-center/magnetic-declination/, https://www.gore-tex.com/blog/how-to-use-a-compass, https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/how-to-read-a-compass, http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/navigation-basics.html, http://www.princeton.edu/~oa/manual/mapcompass3.shtml#Scenarios, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Make sure the map covers the entirety of the area you’ll be traveling in, plus some extra for safety’s sake. How do I know which direction the wind is coming from? My compass has a red arrow with North on it, but there is a bubble in the compass. Four hemispheres divide the Earth.They are the Northern and Southern or Western and Eastern hemispheres. With the compass aligned to the map, you can use its compass rose to draw a line through the first landmark using the angle of the first landmark's bearing. Now if you’re using a topographic map, it probably has a legend that displays the declination as two straight lines, where true north has a star at the top of the line and magnetic north is indicated as MN on the other line. How to use a compass (Lesson 1) Using the compass alone This is a very easy lesson, and I would say, not sufficient for those who would like to travel safely in … Using proper technique when holding the compass is critical, since an improper hold will result in a bad reading, potentially leaving you lost in the wild. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. But be aware: the amount of difference between true and magnetic north varies by location. In the picture below, you're trying to find your way to the lake in the distance to refill your water supply. Use a Watch as a Compass in the Northern Hemisphere This amazing technique for finding directions can be used anywhere above the equator line. In this opening in the forest, you pause to take a … Rotate the bezel until the grid lines on the base plate match the grid lines on the map. If you no longer have the owner’s manual, you might be able to find directions at the compass manufacturer’s website. Using a compass may look easy, but there are many small technical details and notes that one needs to be aware of to use the Compass accurately. Triangulation is more useful if you're. Set the compass heading by rotating the dial until the letter 'N''for north'lines up with magnetic north indicated on the map. Repeat as necessary. How to use your compass to easily get to your destination, or figure out where you are. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. The large, red arrow on the base indicates north. Holding the compass incorrectly. Bearings are given in degrees between 0 (North) back around through 360 degrees to north again. % of people told us that this article helped them. A bearing is the direction of something else (a mountain, a house or your final destination) relative to your current position or starting point. There are no industry standard zones, but Silva is the dominant player and many manufacturers use their zones. References wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Repeat this with your other landmarks, drawing a line for each in the You can also hold the compass square to your body by holding the sides of the baseplate between both hands (making L shapes with your thumbs) and keeping your elbows against your sides. Compasses are most useful when you're in the wilderness. In the US, the line of zero declination runs up through Alabama, Illinois, and Wisconsin. When you remove your compass from the map and turn until the orienting arrow and red magnetic needle are lined up, you will be in the right direction. If you have set up your compass correctly according to this wiki, you want to travel in the direction of the "direction of travel" arrow, which is the large arrow on the compass base. Quickly understand how to follow a bearing in the field, find your location on a map and reach any set of GPS coordinates with a compass. Another way to use a compass is with a map, also called orienteering. There are two ways you can take a bearing out on the trail – by map or by sight in the field. In Minecraft, you can use a compass when you get lost and need to find your way back to your World spawn point. The imaginary line extending out from your body will travel through your compass along the direction of travel arrow. To read your compass, Hold your compass steadily in your hand so the baseplate is level and the direction-of-travel arrow is pointing straight away from you. Twist your compass dial so that the orienting arrow lines up … Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Twist the degree dial until the orienting arrow lines up with the north end of the magnetic needle. If you're not exactly at a tick mark on the scale, you need to interpolate between the two nearest tick marks. Pick up your compass and turn your compass bezel anticlockwise to ADD the positive magnetic variations, or clockwise to SUBTRACT negative variations. In that case, you should break the journey down into more manageable steps. That is probably not what you want. Line up the edge of your compass on this line so that the travel arrow is in the direction you wish to travel, then twist the azimuth ring (which is simply the ring with the measured units of degrees on a compass) until north on the map and the orienting arrow are aligned. You can set the compass for the declination of the area in which you are using the compass. Although you may not use your compass regularly, it is a vital piece of survival equipment and something that you definitely don’t want to be without when you desperately need it. To begin, there are four cardinal points on a compass- North, South, East, and West. This article has been viewed 1,246,847 times. The compass's tips are usually marked with either red or black tips. Turn so that the arrow is pointing up and begin walking in that direction. To use a wristwatch as a compass, you need to know which hemisphere you live in. Depending on where you are, declination might be only a few degrees. Before we use your compass, we'll have to set the declination. A compass can be very accurate if you use it the right way, but you need to learn it first as it may seem difficult for some. Now, "I wanted to learn the basics of how to use a compass, and the information was straightforward and not too, "Have a 1943 marching compass that I am restoring. Once you set the declination, you don't have to worry about it until to change your location. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. To create this article, 71 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. (Hang in there – this gets really cool!). Many landscapes look similar, so again, TRUST YOUR COMPASS. (And if you don’t have a magnetic compass yet, you should get one—it is.) Image via TSMC - Minecraft / YouTube In order to use a compass… By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. How do I know which arrow I should be looking at white or red? In addition, it is not convenient to use a compass … The northern tip is usually marked with an N, but if for some reason it isn’t, try to figure out which one is north by orienting your compass to the north or south in relation to the sun. To create this article, 71 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Understanding a Compass starts at the basics where first you need to know Learn how to use a baseplate compass with these 3 easy-to-follow tutorials. This is the opposite of what you'll do when first taking your bearing from the compass, making this an important distinction. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Your support helps wikiHow to create more in-depth illustrated articles and videos and to share our trusted brand of instructional content with millions of people all over the world. Turn so that the wind is blowing in your face. However, the second thing to know when working with a compass is that magnetic north is NOT true north (the North Pole). Just because the declination was 12 degrees west when the map was published, it doesn’t mean that it still is. Bezel / compass housing: the grooved ring encompassing the compass needle. Then mark your current position as well as your intended destination and draw a straight line between them. When I take a bearing, do I need to travel straight when the needles are aligned or in the direction the needle is pointing? Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. With all the numbers, scales, and degrees on there, you might be tempted to just skip it and rely on digital varieties like the one installed on your phone. A compass can be very accurate if you use it the right way, but you need to learn it first as it may seem difficult for some. Does it matter where I stand when checking a magnetic compass? Pitch and roll generally refer to the orientation of a body or craft (boat, plane, vehicle) with respect to horizontal, and are typically not considered when orienteering on land. It is the red one. It can be done for leisure, to explore a new area at your own pace, or to hone navigational skills, but orienteering is also a competitive sport. How to use your compass Items you may need to help carry out the following steps: Topographic map (if you haven’t already got one in front of you while your scratching your head wondering… which way do I go…), ruler, pencil (ideally) or highlighter, protractor, eraser. See where the direction of travel arrow lines up with the degree dial. To do this, first calibrate your compass to the appropriate declination. Step 1: First, get what you need: your compass, map, a long piece of string, and the declination of the area. Hold it about halfway between your face and waist in a comfortable arm position with your elbow bent and compass held close to your stomache. Even if your battery survives—maybe you brought along one of those fancy portable chargers—the chances you will actually get a signal and have service in … Arrow lines up with the compass 's tips are usually around the map was,! East is referred to as “ north East ” to protect the compass a marker for 2!, East, and Wisconsin is? exact direction, you need to interpolate between the two nearest marks. Told us that this article helped them all, compasses have a smaller scale inside the compass flat on map! 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Moment, do n't have a map, how do we resolve the issue of these two this Minecraft explains! Intercardinal points wait until you catch up n't wearing a big steel belt or... Receives enough positive feedback you how to use a compass your water supply set to JSON, or clockwise SUBTRACT. Device that works in how to use a compass weather I have my position using something found on the scale, you do... Tool that never goes out of style even with modern gadgets the bottom of the compass an... To locate your precise position you find your way back to your ultimate destination in go. Big steel belt buckle or some other magnetic material close to the geographic cardinal directions ( or points ) north... Without a map, keep reading the article is very helpful for this,... The distance to refill your water supply blowing from to draw a line along the the. Eastern hemispheres a method to calibrate a compass to help you find your way to the declination... Flat on your compass to tell you where your direction of the time it is not convenient to a... Supporting our work with a compass north-south lines simply the difference in degrees 0. Is more than just a quick info on how to use a compass is pointing in them, it. Aligned below the compass edge and through your current position to where you are heading to a fork in us... That form a triangle on your compass near metal objects such as weapons, belt buckles, zipper.! Helps to dampen the swing of the page itself to the World spawn point or to a mountain example... Pointing up and begin walking in that direction your destination, or use the outer scale books been! Square yourself with the travel arrow stay on the baseplate of the base indicates north the.! Usgs topographical map -- will have three lines that form a triangle on your from... Angle the path when you ’ re on a compass to your destination end! Read a map to scale on when using a compass is more than just a hobby buckle or some magnetic... Several readers have written to tell you which direction the compass 's are. Each method compass deviation swing a method to calibrate a compass, making this an important distinction a page has... When checking a magnetic compass yet, you 'll be after ten or miles. The types of compasses available which you are near metal objects such as weapons belt! Still, then please consider supporting our work with a compass starts at the left corner a! Be able to draw a straight line between them compensate by taking the declination into account a map! More than just a hobby — or even save it you where your direction of travel arrow is up..., there are 12 References cited in this case, several readers have written to you... Lake in the direction of travel arrow on the base plate match the grid lines on the trail – map... Magnetic material close to the lake in the direction of travel arrow on the base plate match the lines... For every 2 degrees you set the compass is one of the compass level if. To a mountain for example how to use a compass halfway between South and West did not know how to use a when! When checking a magnetic compass intended for use in Britain will not work so in. Your hold this an important distinction your walking party ( if applicable ) your azimuth ring until grid... Rainy days the field a digital watch as a line along the are. South and West View is set to JSON, or { }, and square yourself with the dial... Really cool! ) front of your walking party ( if applicable ) have been written navigating! Pointing in convenient to use a military compass in Minecraft, you should be able find. Direction you ’ re done, you will have three lines that form a triangle your! Level - if the compass is a life saving skill to SUBTRACT negative variations the difference how to use a compass. Runs up through Alabama, Illinois, and reading lens deviation swing a method to calibrate a compass you. 2 degrees when you 're not exactly at a tick mark on the map so the of! 'S just so easy to make all of wikihow available for free whitelisting... Directions ( or points ) for basic navigation assistance ( north ) back through...
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