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There are 4 key steps to using a compass: Check your heading. To understand which direction you are heading, hold the compass in front of you so that the arrow faces the way you are walking. Then rotate the dial so that the N (for North) aligns with the red end of the compass needle. The figure on the rim of the compass dial is your heading.
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- 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...
Lift your compass from the map and hold it horizontally in your hand. Turn yourself and the compass until the red end of the needle is inside the red north/south arrow. Now the direction-of-travel-arrow will point towards your destination. Take a landmark and start moving. Video Showing how to take a bearing: https://vimeo.com/265721095
Online Compass, A easy to use compass in your web browser used for navigation and orientation that shows direction relative to the geographic cardinal directions north, south, east, and west.
By drawing a line in between each of the cardinal points, you can create an eight-point compass that shows the directions for north-east (NE), south-east (SE), south-west (SW) and north-west (NW).
People also ask
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Simply lay the compass on the map with its edge along the route you wish to travel, with the large black arrow in the direction you want to go. Twist the bezel so that the lines within on the base are aligned with the grid lines on the map with the "N" of the bezel to the top of the map.
