), Set Your Compass for Your Intended Azimuth. SEE IT. The red end of the needle must be pointing to the top of the map. Remember, human features are the last port of call and, whats king again? Compass (For Dummies) Beginner guide to map and compass - Survival Saturday Ep. Assume youve climbed to the top of Camels Hump in Vermont. Flip up the lid to a 90-degree angle. As previously stated, orientating your map using visual features is only as good as the visibility on any given day. How to Use a Compass to Get Your Bearings. If you dont start out using your lensatic compass with a map, then its just a regular compass. There was a problem. Brunton TruArc 8010 Classic Map Luminous Compass Brunton TruArc 8010 Classic Map Luminous Compass Item # WX2- 715075 / Mfg. 5. durability, and its hyper-accuracy in land. This webpage may also be used to get current declinations. Module 1 Lensatic Compass. ","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"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. The reason contours are king is that they are fixed, at least in the timescales were talking about here. Check back next month for our final briefingon how tonavigate using MGRS coordinates, just like they do in the military. Remember how we spoke about declination in Part 1? Suunto M-3 Compass. Want to start taking action on the content you read on AoM? First, open the compass to its fullest so that the cover forms a straightedge with the base. Knowing how to orientate a map is just one facet of the wider skill of knowing how to read a map. Get your own customized topographical maps, built according to your specifications. This is why you should never take a bearing off a sheep. Open the cover completely and pull back the rear sight. 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. 1. 3. 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. It is easy to learn and it can be done with just a map and compass. You should notice that the direction of travel arrow should be pointing at the top of the map, and the black orienteering lines should also be parallel to the north-south gridlines on the map. Its declination would be written as 14E. PART 1 Basic Land Navigation. Then turn the map until the position of the landmarks on the map corresponds to the real-world features in the terrain, then cross-check your position with additional features to ensure you have oriented correctly. When orienting a map, our aim is to position it so that the north-south grid lines on the map (eastings) are aligned north-south. When you do know exactly where you are in relation to your map, you have your point position.. Aligned the side of the compass with one of the north-south grid lines. 2. Turn the compass and the map as a unit until the luminous magnetic arrow is directly under the fixed black line. If we dont account for declination and use our map to acquire directions to our destination, well be wrong by 14 or more when we start walking. Declination was taken into account while adjusting the compass. 5. The Lensatic compass also has a large number of drawbacks, including the use of a large case that can make this a cumbersome and heavy option. That has the potential to make a significant impact! Step 2: Line up your lensatic compass with the North Star and make sure the index mark is on the star. Holding any compass in a slack and half-a**ed (that's an old military term) manner can cause you to go off in the wrong direction. A Beginners Guide. Plot a line on the map from Saddle Mountain at 130. Reserve! If everything is matching up, youre onto a winner. All Rights Reserved. To use your lensatic compass to find the direction of your intended azimuth (which you probably got from your map, using your protractor): 1. Tilt it forwards until you can see your sighting arrow. How to Pack a Backpack Are You Doing it Right? My 159-page, fully illustrated book is yours for the asking. For bearings of one to 179 degrees, rotate the bezel counter-clockwise. 4. Assume youre southeast of Saddle Mountain and northeast of a few of lesser peaks. Whenever the luminous magnetic arrow lines up with the luminous short line, you're following your intended azimuth. They could be your saving grace during a SHTF situation. Your map is now aligned to magnetic north. A power point class to Orient a Map Using a Lensatic Compass or $0.99 - Purchase Checkout Added to cart or $4.99 - Monthly Subscription Checkout Added to cart Billed once per month until cancelled or $14.99 - Annual Subscription Checkout Added to cart Billed once per year until cancelled or $9.99 - Protected: VIP Subscription Checkout Added to cart Billed once per year until cancelled . Isnt that a little black arrow outline? In addition to 360 degrees to measure directions in a circle, the military also uses 6,400 mils. 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. At night, however, or in other periods of limited visibility (fog, blizzard, etc) keeping these two luminous bits lined up will be your only remedy. Point position. Sound complicated? 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. 2. A lensatic compass is often referred to as a military compass, and is typically used by the U.S. Military. Last but not lease, lensatic compasses are prone to scratching. Execute your docs in minutes using our simple step-by-step instructions: Get the How To Use A Lensatic Compass you need. Because most of the components are housed in a casing, moisture can wreak havoc once its in there. This is commonly known as puttingthe red in the shed. A compass needle aligns with the magnetic fields in the Earth, which is what it uses to help you find true north. Heres how it works. Please refresh the page and try again. The lensatic compass must always be held level and firm when sighting on an object and reading an azimuth. Adjust the compass bezel so that north on the compass corresponds to north on the map. That would be 130. We know were somewhere along HW 115 and south of Saddle Mountain. As a result, your real bearing is 166. Shows how to use the USGI issue lensatic compass to orient the map, plot a course based on two well-defined. If the local declination is negative, add the declination amount . The method is to align the edge of the compass along the Magnetic North (MN) line, and then move the map and compass together until the compass needle points north. Youll see that it shows two arrows when you turn your headset or controllers around to show the new orientation of a map."}}]}. The legend. 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. Don't worry that your red orientating arrow doesn't point exactly map north. Steady the compass by allowing the hand holding the compass to rest in the cupped palm of your other hand. No declination exists and you dont have to adjust your compass. Lay the map out flat in front of you. If not, recalibrate before continuing. Return from Lensatic Compass to How to Use a Compass. Step 1: Find the North Star. Determine your position on the map and set the compass edge over it. Welcome back to the Art of ManlinessLand Navigation Manual. You see that the mountain is 24 in relation to you. Adjust for magnetic declination. In this case, it 15 degrees positive (east). Its not as easy to get lost on land without a map and compass. If the local declination is positive, subtract the declination amount from the bearing you just derived. The orient a map to the ground by map-terrain association is one of the most basic skills that you will need in order to survive. SPECS dimensions:4.1" x 2.4" x 0.6" |10.4 x 6.2 Read More. You should be able to turn the map so that if you were to imagine jumping into it, the features would lie in the same direction both on the map and in your surroundings. Move the lens holder: Slightly push forward the lens holder. Hold compass up to eye level and view larger side card for "direction-of-travel" compass. Hand placement: Insert your thumb through the thumb loop and the index finger along the compass. You have your point location when you know precisely where you are in reference to your map. NY 10036. 2. Youll want to rotate it till the black arrow outline matches the 4E hash mark. Once you reach your landmark, align yourself again to make sure youre on the right path. 3. Half the activity of their sport is keeping their map oriented so they can navigate faster and with more accuracy. Place the fully opened lensatic compass on the map with Take a bearing to a visible landmark using your compass. Assume youre going on a short trek from one location to another. Orient you compass with the bearing, and draw the bearing line. Copyright 2013-2019 Collingwood Publications LLC, Some of the best land navigators around are orienteers--those who participate in the cross-country running/map reading sport of orienteering. Great article! A lensatic compass features a small pop-out area for your thumb, and a lid on top of the main compass body. The Art of Manliness participates in affiliate marketing programs, which means we get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links. 1. We need to compensate for the compass now that weve placed it on the map so that we can appropriately orient and travel. Another trick for declination when your compass cant adjust for it is to create your own declination arrow out of masking tape and tape it beneath your compass under the correct declination degree hash (This will only work if your compass has a clear base). Position the eyepiece at a 45-degree angle to the . 1. Holding the compass up to your face, angle the rear sight so that you can read the compass dial clearly through the lens while peering through the sighting slot and lining your distant target (the water tower, in this case) up with the sighting wire. 2. Plus, as a web site visitor, you get a 50% discount off the regular price, meaning you get the whole course for $10. If your map already has a line to show magnetic declination, you can take your compass and line its edges up along this. 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! 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. To use your lensatic compass to find the direction of your intended azimuth (which you probably got from your map, using your protractor): 1. Your cheek should be resting on the base of your thumb. An "azimuth" is pretty much the same as a "bearing." The how to orient a map using a compass is a skill that can be used in the outdoors.