Do you know how to use a compass?

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10-21-2010, 18:38
RobertB

If you want to test yourself with a compass, go find you a flat forest. That'll tell you if you're doing it right or not. When we used to do landnav down at Ft. Carson, it was soooo easy because you could terrain associate most everything. Try that in the woods at Ft. Benning, and it won't work too well for you.
10-21-2010, 19:08
SA Friday

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobertB

If you want to test yourself with a compass, go find you a flat forest. That'll tell you if you're doing it right or not. When we used to do landnav down at Ft. Carson, it was soooo easy because you could terrain associate most everything. Try that in the woods at Ft. Benning, and it won't work too well for you.

Truth^^^^

Mine was at Ft Dix.

This one gets it done.
http://www.thecompassstore.com/military27.html

A compass without a map can be like having a flashlight without batteries. Military maps are best. Topo's are next best. Folding waterproof maps with excellent scale is what you are looking for in a map.
10-21-2010, 20:52
Irving

I picked up this one for $22.99 today. http://www.greatoutdoorsdepot.com/silva-trekker.html This was the next one down from the Silva Ranger CL (Kevden put on his BoB list), and was half the price.

I want to order a few of these later: http://www.countycomm.com/trainingcompass.htm

So I was sitting in my car trying to use this compass, and thought that it was broken because I couldn't get it to read the same while I was sitting in a parked car, not moving. I finally figured out that the needle would move depending on where I held it in the car. Once I got out of the car, and tried it other places, it is fine. The only thing that I don't like about it, is that it has a scale for declination, but I can't set it and leave it. I have to just account for it every time. Other than that, I'm a bit worried at it being delicate without a metal cover.

Anyone know what the declination for Denver is supposed to be? I looked it up real quick before I left and found something that said 14 degrees East, but that was taken in 1964. I'm going to look for a more updated list and maybe write down the settings for all 50 states and just keep a little card with the compass. Maybe get it laminated or something.
10-21-2010, 21:13
theGinsue

This is definitely a skill I've been wanting to get back (used to be able to use a compass and map together while I was in the Boy Scouts over 30 years ago).

I've been wanting to get a tritium G.I. compass (much like the compass in the link SA Firday posted, but the tritium version) for more than 20 years. Perhaps that'll be what I get myself for Christmas this year.

All of my hunting partners and I use GPS devices. As stated above, batteries die and the devices fail too. To top it off, what if something happened to the satellites that our devices rely on? Every one of those satellites could be taken out in less than 10 minutes. Then what?

On my laptop (I'm on my families desktop now), I've got several files that I need to print off and put into a binder that take you through full orienteering skills. I found all of the info online. If I added the URL's I got the files from into the files themselves I'll post them in this thread. They tend to be a bit more advanced than the information Stu provided. I like the link Stu provided since it can aid the novice and get them to the point that the more advanced stuff can be understood.

While I haven't purchased any of them yet, there are many plastic templates that (as I recall) they call "computers" that you can use for more advanced compass to map orienteering. If I have the links for those I'll post that as well.

I've been wanting to go do a little advanced recon and set up an orienteering course with little rewards at waypoints to the final destination with a bigger prize. I'll be providing the teams with the training data I've obtained so that they can learn how to use the map & compass effectively. Once I have the course laid out I'll be setting a date for a campout weekend. Each team will be responsible for having their own compass(es) and map(s) for the pre-identified area - NO GPS devices will be allowed. The plan is to then bring all of the teams together and provide them all with a different starting waypoint (to keep one team from cheating off of another and keeping them from tripping all over themselves). Each waypoint will have a little something as a prize (candybar's, drinks, etc) and the next waypoint. Every team will eventually hit all of the same waypoints which will bring them all to the final destination. The first team to reach the final destination will receive the grand prize.

The plan is that this will teach everyone how to use the tools in more than just a book environment, test those skills, & make it fun as well.
10-21-2010, 21:24
theGinsue

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuart

I picked up this one for $22.99 today. http://www.greatoutdoorsdepot.com/silva-trekker.html This was the next one down from the Silva Ranger CL (Kevden put on his BoB list), and was half the price.

I want to order a few of these later: http://www.countycomm.com/trainingcompass.htm

So I was sitting in my car trying to use this compass, and thought that it was broken because I couldn't get it to read the same while I was sitting in a parked car, not moving. I finally figured out that the needle would move depending on where I held it in the car. Once I got out of the car, and tried it other places, it is fine. The only thing that I don't like about it, is that it has a scale for declination, but I can't set it and leave it. I have to just account for it every time. Other than that, I'm a bit worried at it being delicate without a metal cover.

Anyone know what the declination for Denver is supposed to be? I looked it up real quick before I left and found something that said 14 degrees East, but that was taken in 1964. I'm going to look for a more updated list and maybe write down the settings for all 50 states and just keep a little card with the compass. Maybe get it laminated or something.

Metal objects, buildings, electrical power lines, equipment - these can all throw off your compass and it's best to move away from them as best as you can to get true readings.

THANK YOU for the link to those training compasses - great price for a pretty decent compass. I definitely want to buy a few (for the family).

The idea of getting information printed on cards and getting them laminated is a great idea. I would add to that the idea of punching a hole in one corner of the laminated card and putting any cards that you have for your compass together on a split-loop ring (keyring).
10-21-2010, 21:27
Irving

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wulf202

I'm planning a small basic orienteering survival co-op in the spring

I'm still planning on coming to the fire one this Sunday at 9:00am. There is an excellent chance that I'll be a few minutes late, but since I have to drop my fiance off at another appointment at 9:00 am sharp as well, I'll hopefully be on time.

No problem Ginsue, that website is basically like an online Army Surplus store with a little bit better stuff. I like your idea for the Orienteering contest. That would be awesome. I was thinking of heading up to Grand County and being dropped off near the Sol Vista Ski resort, and seeing if I can find my way back to my cabin a few miles away through the mountains. I really have no idea how to go about doing that though. It wouldn't be until spring probably anyway though, so I have some time to figure it out. All that land USED to be Federal land that you could ride dirt bikes, snow mobiles, camp, etc on, but now that it is owned by Sol Vista, you can only hike and mountain bike up there.
10-21-2010, 21:34
theGinsue

What's this about a fire? Bonfire get-together?

Nevermind - I just re-read the thread (http://www.co-ar15.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28451) Firestarting co-op
10-21-2010, 21:47
Irving

Oh yeah, I just checked the NOAA site, and it said the declination for Westminster was around 9 degrees. Not the 14 from that 1964 figure I saw earlier.

EDIT: I've decided that I don't like this compass very much and will take it back tomorrow. I don't like how you can't adjust the declination, as I already mentioned. Also, the needle is very fat and I have a very difficult time trying to add the 9 degrees onto this thing the same way every time. I can sit in a chair, set up the compass to show me my bearing. Then, spin it around in a circle, or move the compass, then I can't seem to get the same bearing again. I'll be off at least two degrees. I think I'll go look at their selection a little closer since I know a little bit more what to look for this time. The store I went to had a few of the metal cased military style kind like I posted.

Thanks for all the input so far from everyone here.
10-22-2010, 00:41
d_striker

Quote:

Originally Posted by glock21

that would be good, i have no idea how to read a compass. i would like to go on a 2-3 day survival camp this next summer to get a real experience.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuart

Oh yeah, I just checked the NOAA site, and it said the declination for Westminster was around 9 degrees. Not the 14 from that 1964 figure I saw earlier.

EDIT: I've decided that I don't like this compass very much and will take it back tomorrow. I don't like how you can't adjust the declination, as I already mentioned. Also, the needle is very fat and I have a very difficult time trying to add the 9 degrees onto this thing the same way every time. I can sit in a chair, set up the compass to show me my bearing. Then, spin it around in a circle, or move the compass, then I can't seem to get the same bearing again. I'll be off at least two degrees. I think I'll go look at their selection a little closer since I know a little bit more what to look for this time. The store I went to had a few of the metal cased military style kind like I posted.

Thanks for all the input so far from everyone here.

I have a Suunto M3. It's a great compass for what I use it for and has adjustable declination. You adjust it using a small eyeglass screwdriver.
10-22-2010, 00:43
d_striker

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobertB

If you want to test yourself with a compass, go find you a flat forest. That'll tell you if you're doing it right or not. When we used to do landnav down at Ft. Carson, it was soooo easy because you could terrain associate most everything. Try that in the woods at Ft. Benning, and it won't work too well for you.

Good point. I've always had the luxury of having geographical features for reference.

I'm not sure I would know where to begin if in flatlands

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