Sighting systems let you visualize your desired orientation (known as shooting an azimuth) by aligning front and rear sights to identify the exact point in the distance you need to reach to travel in the right direction. If you plan on relying on a compass for real-life navigation, you’ll need to do better than a simple floating dial and index line. A magnifying lens will let you get more accurate readings. Most compass faces are smaller than the palm of your hand, and marking 360 degrees on a circle that small can make things tough to read. Beyond these basic components, there are a few key features that we recommend shopping for and learning to use effectively. A fixed index line will show the compass body’s orientation in comparison to the floating dial. More markings mean more accuracy, and we recommend finding a military-style compass that shows 360 degrees.ĭon’t bother getting carried away with minutes and seconds (60 minutes per degree, 60 seconds per minute). Any compass worth carrying will include degree markings for more precision. With that single piece of information, you can get a rough approximation of your bearing. In the most basic forms, a compass is made up of a floating dial marked with an arrow that is drawn to Earth’s magnetic north. Make sure you know how to use one by practicing regularly and testing yourself with increasingly difficult challenges. A compass can be a life-saving tool, but it’s also useless in the wrong hands. Once you understand how to read a map and interpret things like contour lines and terrain features, it’s time to put that knowledge to use by navigating from point to point without GPS or the aid of your phone. Plot start and endpoints as accurately as possible, and rely on the map’s grid lines and your protractor to identify the direction you need to travel. Know how to convert grid north to magnetic north. Before you give it a try, familiarize yourself with your map’s scale and key. Time You’re Going to Need: At least one hour per practice sessionĭifficulty: Beginner What you need to know about using a compassīeing able to use a compass is one of the most basic elements of navigation. Army Soldiers representing 32 states compete in the 200th Military Police Command Best Warrior Competition held at Camp Blanding, Fla., Feb. Doing it right with a lensatic compass U.S. Task & Purpose’s editors prepared the ultimate down-and-dirty guide on the right way to use a compass. Whether you plan on hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, or prepping for the zombie apocalypse, you’d better learn how to navigate with a good old-fashioned compass and map. Technology like handheld GPS and navigation apps are wonderful to have, but anyone seeking adventure in the great outdoors should have a working knowledge of old-school navigation methods that don’t require batteries or connectivity. We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.
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