How do I use my Suunto compass?
Hold your compass level and look at the red end of the needle to see where north is. 2. Turn the map so that the northern upper edge is pointing north. When navigating with a map and compass, you are first determining a direction of travel on the map and then transferring that direction to the real world.
How does a mirror compass work?
MIRROR SIGHTINGCOMPASSES The mirror compass features a mirror that allows you to view the compass dial and the background at the same time. The fact that the compass dial can be seen at the same time the reference point is aligned makes mirror compasses more desir- able for taking accurate bearings.
What is my compass declination?
Magnetic declination, or declination, is the difference between the true north reading from the map and the magnetic north reading from a compass. The degrees of declination for an area are usually located on the bottom margin of the map near the north arrow, or they can be located using a declination chart.
How do you read a compass?
Place the compass flat on your palm, with the direction of travel arrow pointing towards where you want to go. Twist your compass dial so that the orienting arrow lines up with the red end of the magnetic needle.
How do you correct true north and magnetic north?
Thus to convert from a magnetic bearing to a true bearing you would add 17°. The angle measured from the target to Grid North is also larger than the angle measured from the target to Magnetic North. The difference is the 17° angle from True North to Magnetic North less the 1° 33′ angle from True North to Grid North.
What is declination on a compass?
The deviation of the compass from true north is an angle called “declination” (or “magnetic declination”). It is a quantity that has been a nuisance to navigators for centuries, especially since it varies with both geographic location and time.
How do you use a compass to find true north?
To find true north, turn the bezel the same magnitude and direction as your declination value. Most compasses will have degree markers on the bezel to help you do this. Next, line up your needle and your orienting arrow by turning your body again. You should now be facing true north!
How do you read a mil on a compass?
Mils are largely used by the military. The original system divides the face of the compass into 6283 divisions (Mils being short for mili-radians, derived from there being 2 Pi Radians in a circle, so 2 x 3.1416 or 6.283 mil-radians).
