Finally, read the number on the rim of the compass. As long as youre lined up with your direction of travel arrow (keeping that north arrow visible for reference), you need to look through the sighting line and pick a landmark ahead of you. Lensatic compasses are seasoned or experienced navigator tools. Youll want to turn it until that black arrow outline is lined up with the 4E hash mark. But not to you, I trust. The housing lines should be parallel with the maps vertical grid lines. Turn your entire body as a unit until your predetermined azimuth falls under the fixed black index line. Whether or not you participate in orienteering, I'm confident you'll find that a properly oriented map is a huge help in finding your way. US $10.58 orient yourself to a map and follow a course over land The lensatic compass is used to set course bearings Instructions for Lensatic compass Open the lensatic compass so that the cover is at a 90 degree angle and the lens bracket is at a 30 degree angle to the case Lensatic Compass. Pull the lens holder up so that it is at a 90-degree angle to the base of the compass. This is commonly known as puttingthe red in the shed. Pull the ring underneath the compass and put your thumb through. So, if youre in Muir Woods and your compass has a bearing of 180, youll want to subtract 14. It has its advantages and disadvantages over the orienteering compass. 2. What happens if you dont adjust your compass for declination? The degrees are in red, and are the ring's inner measurements. Turn the compass and the map as a unit until the luminous magnetic arrow is directly under the fixed black line. 5. He is currently working towards qualifying as a Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor and International Mountain Leader. Its one of the most versatile navigation tools we have available today. Get your own customized topographical maps, built according to your specifications. He has climbed a handful of 6000ers in the Himalayas, 4000ers in the Alps, 14ers in the US, and loves nothing more than a good long-distance wander in the wilderness. We still need to understand where we are in reference to our map how to orient ourselves before we can start really navigating, which well cover in Part III of this series. 1. Open the compass all the way so that the cover locks into position against the base, forming a straightedge along the left side. Fog or dense forest may mean you cant see but a few feet around you in any direction. (Note: The magnetic compass needle should be ignored.) Its not unheard of for hikers to accidentally read their map upside down and end up facing south, rather than north. Sounds like a lot more than a regular compass, doesnt it? You cant shoot a bearing on the end point in your terrain since you cant see it. The back bearing is 50. Magnetic north would be around 14 degrees to your right, or east. The compass baseplates edge is now pointed in the direction of the visible landmark you used to get your bearing. Rotate the compass until the north on the bezel points to the top of the map and the compass housing orienting lines are parallel to the maps vertical grid lines, using your position as a pivot. Boom. From the compass, to GPS, to now even your mobile devicetheres no shortage of navigational tools. The lanyard hole that can be used by the orienteering compass user can limit access to the compass if not enough space is available to move the compass across your map. That would be 130. For instance, line up roads, mountains, water towersany terrain features that stand out enough to make orienting the map possible. Method #1. To begin, use your compass to locate a peak on Saddle Mountain. This is because technology is fallible, batteries run out, cold kills gadgets and theres always the possibility of dropping a device down a steep slope or into a rushing river. This involves trying to orient a map using only topographical features and your own eyesight. Find the magnetic declination on your map. Whenever the luminous magnetic arrow lines up with the luminous short line, you're following your intended azimuth. Its 310 degrees in reference to you, as you can see. Lets say youre planning a short hike from one point to another. ","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"A: In order to orient and read a map, you have to have spatial awareness. On the map, you are where the line connects with the highway. Now, rotate the map and compass baseplatetogetheruntil the compass needle is boxed in the red orienting arrow (or direction-of-travel lines) on the compass. Now it's time to take out the map. Check back next month for our final briefingon how tonavigate using MGRS coordinates, just like they do in the military. 2. Don't worry that your red orientating arrow doesn't point exactly map north. Line up the meridian lines (the parallel lines inside the bezel) with a north/south grid line on the map. Heres our step-by-step guide to the most straightforward. If you want to navigate and explore like a Navy SEAL, its high time you learn how to use one of these stellar compasses. Determine your position on the map and set the compass edge over it. The keys to successfully navigating the wilderness are being able to determine your position, know where youre going and understand how terrain affects your movement abilities. It will make it easier to understand why we adjust for declination in the first place. 3. Heres how it works. And thats it! The angle between true north and magnetic north is declination. Thats 130 degrees. Well, youre going to have to do some math with all your bearings to make sure you get a true bearing. What if you dont have access to a compass that can compensate for declination? Place your map on a horizontal surface and then place the compass on the map so that the orienting arrow points to true north on the map. First, open the compass to its fullest so that the cover forms a straightedge with the base. This latter option is a cheat since grid lines have their own declination value. Using the rotating bezel, turn it until the direction of travel arrow lines up with the north arrow. Using the Centerhold Technique. Reserve! We just dont know where we are. In this case, it 15 degrees positive (east). In this guide, we will be covering the following: The first step to successful navigation with a map and compass in the backcountry is correctly orienting your map. Use the illustration above to familiarize yourself with the components of a lensatic compass. For bearings of one to 179 degrees, rotate the bezel counter-clockwise. Whether or not you participate in orienteering, I'm confident you'll find that a properly oriented map is a huge help in finding your way. Finally, you can always triple check with human features, such as walls or towns that youd expect to be able to see in the valley. Shoot a bearing with your compass at the peak of Saddle Mountain. Module 11 Plotting Position Coordinates exact positioning, used to communicate to others with a He climbs when he should be writing, writes when he should be sleeping, has fun always. There is nothing better than being at the heart of your navigation as a prepper, and truly knowing where youre headed without the need for technological input. Hey, it happens! Most people have never heard of them, but soon enough, youre going to be a master at using them. Thankfully, its notwhether orienting your map with a compass or without, this is a skill that can be learned in minutes and which can be done in a matter of seconds out in the field. Come to think of it, I dont even know if he had a compass. Start spinning the bezel slowly until the 'magnetized needle' is aligned with the 'orienting arrow.'. Turn the map and compass until the needle on the compass aligns with the north-south grid lines on the map. 3. Articles - Email - Linkedin - Facebook - Instagram. It's important to hold your compass stable, squarely in front of you, and level. Identify where you are on the map and place the compass edge over this location. Now its time to store your compass. Large Ball Compass - Easy to read ball compass shows two readings. They both use magnetization to help you find where you are and where youre going, but theres a catch. Place the compass flat on the map with the travel arrow pointed in the general direction of north and one of the base plate's long edges linking your location and your destination; you may need a straight-edge to make the connection, depending on the map's scale and the distance to be covered. Kieran James Cunningham is a climber, mountaineer, and author who divides his time between the Italian Alps, the US, and his native Scotland. Finally, before setting off, be sure to do a quick check by looking around you to see that all features represented on your map are where they should be in the terrain. If the local declination is positive, subtract the declination amount from the bearing you just derived. west is 270). First, use your compass to get a bearing on a peak of Saddle Mountain. This is because it is prepped to point instead to magnetic north once its lined up with your compass needle. Next, without changing the orientation of you map, move your compass so that the point you are plotting to/from is under the sighting wire, and the compass dial reading matches your bearing. PART 1 Basic Land Navigation. In your case, however, your declination is 004 degrees West, meaning you'll have to add 004 degrees before you set your compass. So your true bearing would be 166. Taking each features relative shape, height and distance away into consideration, you should be able to start to match them to the contour features on the map. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. USING A COMPASS Magnetic azimuths are determined with the use of magnetic instruments, such as lensatic and M2 compasses. PART 1 Basic Land Navigation USING THE MILITARY LENSATIC COMPASS Module 6 Map Information. Turn the compass and the map as a unit until you box the needlei.e., Put Red Fred in the shed. When we know our point position, we can identify any landmark that we see in our terrain by using the map. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS & More: A Manual On Food Storage and Survival: 2nd Edition Revised and Updated. You can also use this website to get up to date declinations. A visualization depicting the Soldiers Manual of Common Tasks (STP 21-1-SMCT) task Orient a Map Using a Lensatic Compass (071-COM-1011). If your local declination is east of the agonic line, youll need to add the declination to the bearing on your compass; if your local declination is west of the agonic line, youll subtract the declination from the bearing on your compass. pointsnorth, east, south, and westbut some are marked additionally with the. Everything on your map will be reversed if youre looking south and holding the map right side up. Your article very useful for me and it helps me understand more about compass. Center-hold. The how to orient a map using a compass is a skill that can be used in the outdoors. The U.S. military M-1950 lensatic compass shown in this video is still in use today. Nothing is permanent and contours are more permanent than pretty much everything else on a map. Go to your map. We need to compensate for the compass now that weve placed it on the map so that we can appropriately orient and travel. navigation and combat. Read the number at the index line. Look directly down on the top (smaller card) of compass to view general orientation cardinal points. We only recommend products we genuinely like, and purchases made through our links support our mission and the free content we publish here on AoM. In actual practice, orienting your map is something you'll often do "on the run" and can be as simple as glancing at your compass needle and turning the map more or less accordingly. Shoot the reverse bearing you got with your compass from the top of Saddle Mountain on your map. As magnetic north changes depending on where you are in the world, you have to ensure you adjust your compass accordingly. Because most of the components are housed in a casing, moisture can wreak havoc once its in there. That can make a huge difference! Adjustable Declination Compasses. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); MyOpenCountry is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Move the lens holder: Slightly push forward the lens holder. Put your compass on your map. Orienting, or aligning, the map is really easy with just 3 steps: Lay your map out on a relatively flat, smooth surface. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. With the thumb loop all the way down under the compass, put the thumb of one hand all the way inside the loop, and place the index finger of that same hand along one side of the compass. When we dont have our point position, we have to use less exact forms of orientation based on line or area position to find it: Line Position. A Beginners Guide. [10] 4. But heres where things get tricky: the angle of declination changes depending where you are on the earth. Below, we offer a short, straight-talking guide to how its done. a. Last but not lease, lensatic compasses are prone to scratching. 3. Lets pretend youre on a hike. Alex is a qualified Mountain Leader, adventure writer and content creator with an insatiable passion for the mountains. Magnetic north would be slightly to your right, or east, by about 14. You can use this feature to set your compass in the dark. Youll notice the north/south symbol on a corner of your map with a straight 90 line going up. While this doesnt technically register as an electronic, were going to treat it like one. Place the fully opened lensatic compass on the map with Now were going to find out where exactly we are on that line. . Turn the compass dial so that the bearing intersects the index line (2). Program, Strengthen Your Tribe: A Report on the Atomic Athlete Vanguard, The Best Riddles for Kids (With Answers! (Note: if you have a compass with an adjustable declination the adjustment needs to be set to zero). Sight an azimuth to any visible terrain feature that appears on the map. Without getting over-complicated, a standard compass is different from a lensatic compass. What wildlife can you see at Yellowstone National Park? 3. Thanks so much for sharing! Position of the point. When the actual lens gets damaged, it unnecessarily impairs simple operation. In this situation, you can use your compass to work out which direction magnetic north is and orientate from there. What if youre not on a trail, but you just know the general area youre in? Half the activity of their sport is keeping their map oriented so they can navigate faster and with more accuracy. Make an "L" shape with the index finger and thumb of your other hand. However, imagine youre in Muir Woods in San Francisco, facing true north. Click heretolearn about the three different types of compasses. Check to see if the north directional arrow is inline with the arrow/line of the compass. Execute your docs in minutes using our simple step-by-step instructions: Get the How To Use A Lensatic Compass you need. Sometimes limited visibility means terrain features may not be visible. functional from -50F to 150F. What are 2 ways to orient a map? Aligned the side of the compass with one of the north-south grid lines. Get my Land Navigation coursehere. Huzzah! 4. To figure out precisely where you are on the map, you simply need one more piece of information. The lensatic compass must always be held level and firm when sighting on an object and reading an azimuth. If your local declination is east of the agonic line, youll need to add the declination to your compass bearing; if its west of the agonic line, youll need to remove the declination from your compass bearing. A map, by definition, is a small-scale representation of the real world or a section thereof. There are step-by-step to use a compass. Photo: Wikipedia. A: You can use the arrow keys, or you can hold down shift and move in any direction to rotate a map around its axis. Orient you compass with the bearing, and draw the bearing line. As you can see, the declination of the location Im in is 4E. Well, we can use our compass as a protractor to take a bearing from our map. Here at Brunton, we manufacture a variety of different compasses for varying needs in the field. The skill allows users to find north with ease, which is crucial for navigation. To obtain a heading from our map, we may use our compass as a protractor. 1. Make sure the travel direction arrow is pointed in the direction you want to go. Related Tags. 3. Look through the lens and sighting line. Fortunately, orienting your map is simple. Were not using it at all during this entire process.). Lensatic compasses are used by the United States military for a reason. The lensatic compass is used by the U.S. Military. On the other hand, wrap the fingers around the three fingers below the compass. Make sure the direction of travel arrow is pointing to the spot that youre trying to get to. This webpage may also be used to get current declinations. The housing is marked with cardinal points, typically north, south, east, and west, which . 2. (Be sure you understand magnetic declination. Uses a retractable lens to read the bearing while. The North-seeking arrow of the compass must fall within 3 degrees (50 mils) of the angle shown in the grid-magnetic (G-M) angle on the map's declination diagram. 3. As mentioned in Part I, true north and magnetic north arent the same. Turn your declination-adjusted compass dial so due North is at the index pointer. What happens if you dont compensate for declination with your compass? The variation between magnetic north and true north is currently so minor that this can generally be ignored. The first step of orienting with our map and compass is to make sure north on the map lines up with north in our terrain. 3 Navigation: Compass Basics Read, Understand, and Remember! Leave your orientating arrow in line with the index line and the direction of travel arrow, as it will already be primed to point magnetic north. Performance Steps 1. This straightforward video shows both approaches to using a compass to orientate a map: All the latest inspiration, tips and guides to help you plan your next Advnture! Use your index finger to steady the front of the compass. Orient a Map Using a Lensatic Compass 071-329-1011 Conditions: Standards: Orient the map to the ground using a compass. 3. Lets move to the opposite coast of the U.S. Lets say youre in the Adirondacks of New York. This was developed. 3. Any kinds of magnets whatsoever. The cover is used to protect the compass and alsoincorporates thesighting wirewhich helps you determine direction. Now hold the compass on the map and rotate yourself and the map/compass together until the orienting arrow and the compass needle are aligned to magnetic north. Now its time to use the lens. Using your location as a pivot, rotate the compass until north on the bezel is pointing to the top of the map and the compass housing orienting lines are parallel with the maps vertical grid lines. You want to go cross country directly to Devil's Wash Basin, a deep and beautiful lake you've heard a lot about. To make sure you receive a correct bearing, youll have to perform some arithmetic with all of your bearings. You have your point location when you know precisely where you are in reference to your map. 4. You can always orient your map with a working compass. So, how are you going to acquire your point position? Its 230 degrees in reference to your position, as you can see. If you have already adjusted your compass for magnetic declination, your map is now oriented and youre good to go. 2. 5. When this happens, its time to orientate using a compass. Weve compiled a detailed guide on how to adjust for magnetic declination, but at its most basic level it goes like this: Your map should state what the magnetic declination is in degrees for the region you are in. 4. slide 1 to 3 of 3. Spread out your map. Imagine that you want to hold it as if it were firmly mounted in that position. When you have a line position, you know that youre on some identifiable line on the map (trail, ridge line, etc. Announcement: My online Land Navigation course includes four hours of video instruction, and two downloadable PDF books, all for about the same price as a typical paperback book. So, if youre at Muir Woods and your compass reads 180 degrees, subtract 14 degrees. Shows how to use the USGI issue lensatic compass to orient the map, plot a course based on two well-defined. . There you go. Positioned the cover of the compass toward the top of the map. The techniques employed when using the lensatic compass are as follows: a. With our compass adjusted for local declination, were now ready to start orienting ourselves. Take that bearing and plot it on the map using the technique explained above. You want to find your position using the technique of partial resection, so you need to know that tower's bearing with a high degree of accuracy. To find directions from your map, you're going to need a protractor, a special instrument used for measuring angles.
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