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Lay the map out flat and place the compass on the map. Turn the map and the compass until the red compass needle aligns with the north-south gridlines on the map, with the red needle pointing to the top of the map. The map is now orientated to reflect the features around you. Take your time to keep matching the features you see around you to ...
- Step 1: Line Up Your Points
- Step 2: Align to Grid North
- Step 3: Adjust For Magnetic Variation
- Step 4: Line Yourself Up
- Don’T Move The Bezel
- Top Tips For Beginners
- A to B
- B to C
- C to D
- How to Take A Compass Bearing with Steve Backshall
To start with you need to know where you are on the map(point A) and where you want to go to (point B). Get the map flat – a stiff map case, flat rock or your knee works. Line up point A and B with either the side of your compass or one of the black lines running down the base plate, making sure that the direction of travel arrow is point in the di...
Now, hold the compass still and turn the compass housing bezelso that the “N” on the bezel and the orienteering arrow are point to grid north (the top of the map). To help do this – make sure that the orienteering lines are lined up with the easting lines on the map. Try to get this as accurate as possible – and if you have folded your map check wh...
Now you need to allow for the difference between magnetic north and grid north. We’re lucky in the UK that this variation is small, but where accuracy is important, you need to adjust for it. The adjustment varies across the country and you can generally find it printed on your map in the key. Look for ‘magnetic north’. Ignore any references to ‘tr...
Now put the map away. Be careful you don’t move the compass bezel. Hold the compass flat and near your body, with the big ‘direction of travel’ arrow pointing straight ahead. Turn yourself andthe compass around slowly until the red end of the needle lines up with the orienting arrow, as in the picture. The direction of travel arrow should still poi...
The two biggest errors by beginners are: Moving the bezel – it’s set and should not be changed at this point. Secondly, not holding the compass pointing directly away from the body. Also, be aware of any magnets or metal near the compass: mobile phones, magnetic buttons, metal belts and similar can ‘deflect’ the compass needle, making it inaccurate...
If you’re unsure about using a compass the best thing to do is get the map of an areayou know really well, where you wouldn’t usually need a map to get around. Take yourself off for a walk, using the map and a compass to navigate your way as you reach each turning. This way you shouldn’t get lost and you can compare that the direction you think you...
SU 236 042 to SU 244 048 Initial measurement: 52° from north Add 1° for variation Heading: 53°, distance: 1.01 km
SU 244 048 to SU 250 048 Initial measurement: 91° from north Add 1° for variation Heading: 92°, distance: 0.59 km I’ve ignored the slight kink in this path, but in poor conditions add an intermediate waypoint.
SU 250 048 to SU 249 058 Initial measurement: 352° (just off true north) Add 1° for variation Heading: 353°, distance: 0.96 km
You can find more navigation and map reading tips here including this basic guide to the compass. You can buy OS and Silva compasses on the OS Shop along with maps to help your practice. Find out which compass is best for youand your chosen activities. Want to find out more about getting out into the hills and mountains? Read our Hiking For Beginne...
Compass A compass is an instrument used for navigation and orientation that shows direction relative to the geographic cardinal directions (or points). Usually, a diagram called a compass rose shows the directions north, south, east, and west on the compass face as abbreviated initials.
Orient your map and compass. Turn your compass dial until it shows N at the index mark1 under the direction-of-travel arrow2. Line up a side edge of your compass with the map’s vertical gridlines3. Next, holding the map and compass, turn your body until the red arrow is inside the red “shed”4.
Nov 7, 2014 · Set it in front of you and identify all its parts. The baseplate. A clear, plastic base on which the compass sits. The compass housing. This is a clear, plastic circle in which the compass needle sits. Around the edge of the compass housing is a dial that rotates. This has a mark every two degrees, covering the 360 degrees of a circle.
Aug 8, 2024 · To orient your map, align the side with the angle the arrow is pointing. First, hold the compass flat in front of you in the palm of your hand or flat on the ground and note the direction that the floating needle (which is usually colored red) is pointing to: that is north. You can ignore the compass dial and all the markings on the rest of the ...
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Learning how to use a compass with a map is fun. It will give you the confidence to step out in to new areas which you haven’t visited before.In this video ...
- 19 min
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- The Map Reading Company
