Selecting the right compass for you.

Types

There are several types of compasses. The disk and ball types are immersed in water for increased durability and accuracy.

1. Lensatic, also referred to as an engineer's compass. This compass is the most useful and most durable
2. Map, this compass is only useful in aligning maps but is very popular.
3. Plain Needle, this compass is the least expensive, most common, most often incorrectly made, least durable, and most nostalgic. Great for decorating, and for finding your way to the kitchen.
4. Ball compass, Very popular with automotive applications and the best for navigating while running from bears...

N-E Design

When purchasing a compass, you must be watchful that you don't select one that is improperly designed. For a navigational compass, hold it so that "N" is away from you.

1. Be certain that if it uses a floating disk, the "E" is on the right of "N".
2. If it uses a needle rather than a disk, the "E" is on the left of "N". This is important.
3. If it is a ball that you will view from the side, the "E"  is on the left of "N".
4. If it is a ball that you will view from the top, the "E"  is on the right of "N".

Understand that not every manufacturer that produces compasses actually knows how to use them. This is especially true of the less expensive ones.

Using a Navigational compass

Be sure to practice these procedures ahead of time so that you are adequately familiar.

Finding your position by triangulation with a lensatic compass

You will need a topographical map for this if you are on land.

1. look for recognizable terrain features in your area on your map.
2. mark these features on the map when you're certain they're correct.
3. align the north on the map with magnetic north
4. face one of the objects, open your compass and hold it close to your face with the compass level and the lens near you, just below eye-level.
5. tip the lens forward until you can see the numbers clearly on the opposite side of the dial
6. move the compass until the notch above the lens is the same width as the slot holding the wire.
7. re-adjust the lens if necessary to see the numbers while in this position
8. line up the center of the object with the wire and glance at the edge of the disc to be certain that the compass is absolutely level  (if there is a bubble, keep it near the center of the glass )
9. when all the above is perfect, read the number nearest the indicator on the dial.
10. place your compass over the observed terrain feature on the map,  and rotate until the indicator is at the same number.
11. mark the angle and draw a line either through the center point in both directions, or just the opposite direction. (i.e. back to your position)
12. repeat steps 6 through 11 for at least one more recognizable feature
13. if you perform this properly, your location is the point at which the lines intersect
14. if the lines didn't intersect, be sure to draw the lines straight through the objects and make certain your compass is not defective. (that it matches the N-E design description above exactly.) Beware of large metallic or electrical objects nearby as they may cause interference.

Finding your way out of the woods with any navigational compass

• Before entering an undeveloped area,  or leaving the roadside, note what direction you are heading on your compass. this is the opposite of your heading for your return trip.
• when traveling along raised areas, such as mountains, try to find your vehicle by eye if possible. If you can, take a compass reading. This will be your heading on your return trip.
• If you want to keep track of your location during an extended wandering trip, obtain a small note book to record a log of your travels as follows.
  • before leaving your vehicle, accurately note the current time, and your heading.
  • every time you stop to rest or change direction, record your heading and the current time
  • when you stop for an extended period, convert the stop-and- go times to elapsed minutes.
  • use a piece of graph paper and a ruler to plot your course. (represent minutes with 1/8 inches or mm.) 
  • Then, if you wish to shorten your return trip, draw a line from your current dot to your starting point. Find the heading in degrees, and note the minutes required. When you return, if your trip takes more than 10% longer than expected, and you still don't see your vehicle, remain calm. Don't assume that you are lost. Begin searching for familiar features, scan the treetops and nearby mountains for troughs made by roads, chances are good that you are not far off. At this point, don't cross any roads, follow them. Even if you must walk a long way, eventually you will come to a house or a passing car. Roads exist for a reason, they go somewhere.