So you put this title “Declination doesn’t matter!” to attract attention to your video and then you rant about what is declination for over an hour?! Well, I disagree! Declination DOES MATTER! In real life you also get really lost! And you don’t know your location every 500 meters or so! You can’t recheck your location too often in many real life situations! Then you need to find yourself and if you don’t use declination, you would be horribly wrong and make a big mistake! Of course, what you are not telling your viewers is that they need real practice and not only watching RUclips videos! You are making the videos for subscribers and money and not to make others, ( people unknown to you), good navigators!
@@danielculpepper9258 For the UK declination doesn't matter. As here it's .0 of a degree change. Pushing up to 1-2 degree in Scotland. So unless of course you're trying to find a f*ing pebble, it has no real bearing (ba dum tis). The point here is that declination depends on your location in the world. Which is a very valid point as have many comments bellow highlighted. As well as the effect the map has on it. Finally, no one becomes a good navigator from RUclips videos. Not once did the video say such a thing, calm down.
I like this video, I will use it to teach scouts about declination, HOWEVER, in the Northwest USA our declination is 20-22 degrees. If you are ignoring declination here, you will be 1 mile off your line after just 3.2 miles. So know your area that you are hiking.
I agree this is a good video and quite useful for teaching. However, Magnetic North has been moving very fast over the last 10-20 years (earthsky.org/earth/magnetic-north-rapid-drift-blobs-flux) . So for Portland Oregon, declination is now about 15.4°. Here is a link to a NOAA calculator (www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomag/calculators/magcalc.shtml?useFullSite=true). I hope that this is useful. I enjoyed scouting too! It taught me a lot about the world and how to figure things out.
Finally a declination explanation I was able to retain. (They all make sense to a greater or lesser degree, while you’re watching them. The key for me has been difficulty in recalling them once the video stops.)
It may not matter much, but since it's so easy to compensate for, I can't see any reason to ignore it. Why not aim for precision, and then if you're a little off, so be it, but you won't be as far off as if you ignore declination. It's easy enough to plan a route around poor terrain anyway, and if you are very good at precise land navigation, it's much easier to trust your more complicated pre-planned routing. A lot of the problems you describe come down to poor technique. Aim for perfection! You won't quite get there, but if you at least try you'll get a lot closer in the long run, especially with practice.
I see the points in his discussion on declination not being overly concerned with. More concerned about his not training people in the utilization of tools like implimenting back-stops or bearing off, and what to do when someone reaches tbese points.
It’s 12 west where I am so I’d be utterly fu*ked if I followed the advice in this video. I’d say that if the magnetic declination is any greater than + or - 3° and you are traveling more than a few miles or Kilometers, you need to do the calculations or you can really end up off course. You already have a deviation if 2 to 3 degrees even if you do the calculations simply due to the margin of inaccuracy in most compasses, so you can get off course by quite a lot if you ignore declination. It must be nice for people living near the atomic line
You are the FIRST person who has correctly explained that there are THREE norths, and that grid north is NOT the same as true north. Well done you. 9 out of 10 RUclips sites purporting to teach compass navigation use these two terms (true north and grid north) interchangeably as if they mean the same thing. And they don't. Where I live in New Zealand, the declination from grid north to magnetic north is 21 degrees E. The declination between true north and magnetic north is 24 degrees E. If I follow grid north to visit Santa Claus, I will be many miles off by the time I get there.
Excellent video... I have watch three others that got me more confused about declination and this one was my saviour. Thank you, enough info that you understand but not enough that your left wondering what hit you.
Good points you have made and for sure when mag north is say 12 deg East where I am in Melbourne Australia we cant ignore it. Even more so, when the landscape is featureless for a lot of the aussie bush. A good compass with sighting mirror like the Suunto MC2G makes it a lot easier to shoot bearings. Cheers
Dumb question: do you navigate by the Magnetic North Pole or the Magnetic South Pole? Would they be different numbers? This could get complicated quickly...
@@PatrickKQ4HBD Always by magnetic north pole. And we have to use southern hemisphere compass, as the magnetic field comes up out of the ground, so we have to have north needle weighted heavier than the south, which is opposite of USA. If we dont have a southern compass, we have to take a USA compass and magnetise the needle backwards, then we use white as north and red as south, this is so we have the weighting on the south, so that when the compass is level it balances.
Ive learned how to navigate by watching youtube, Ive watched many land nav vids on here, yours is one of the best, I wanted to brush up a bit and came across your video,, thanks
Excellent video on the practicality of declination. I used to be involved in the creation of such maps and you did a great job of explaining the Norths (there's also geodetic North but lets not get in to that). One thing viewers might question is why the difference between grid N, and True N and why it has to be adjusted for (though not in a practical way as you have demonstrated) so showing that the grid is a series of perpendicular "square" lines evenly spaced along a baseline (like graph paper) and when you slap that grid on a curved surface (the Earth) you'll see that the further N or S you go from that baseline the more divergence there is from the grid to the True lines longitude. Grids are perfect for the coordinate systems we use. From the grid you can get and calculate coordinates on our maps. lat/Lon is good for navigation. Great job on the video!
Ive wondered how critical declination is. Accuracy setting it, pointing at an object, ability to stay on path, hiking east/ west changing declination, the change over time. And one thing i didnt consider, how often we reroute/ recalculate throughout the hike. You're the only person I've heard adress this, and your point at 20 min in was perfect. Thank you!
Watched all the way through. Well presented, very natural. Put me at ease re declination. I love navigating but from one trip to the next I've forgotten what I have learnt but now I can forget about declination and concentrate on other more important aspects. Thank you Humble Trekker.
I’m getting back into hiking having not used a map and compass in 15 years since I was in the scouts! This video and your channel is super helpful in refreshing my memory on loads of things. Nice one mate!
Nice to see a UK guy talk about kilometers ;). And a very informative video. I do teach declination, inclination and most of all the human mistake factor. Most students use electronic devices now until batteries run out. I usually say, different continent, different compass if you are in terrain where a compass that points accurate is really necessary so in remote areas with few landmarks. Even a button compass that points in the wrong direction but in a constant matter can still be used to prevent you from walking in circles. Because walking in circles is no myth. That's what we do naturally.
Yes good video, good explanation and I suppose it's all down to preference and your own personal way of navigating. Personally for me if the difference is more than 2 degrees then you need to take adjustments into account. I do a lot of scrambling and go from ridge to ridge often in poor vis and 2 degrees is the max for me. I would definitely recommend a compass where you can pre set the declination for your area but learning to move from map to compass and vice versa is an essential like learning your times table, its there if you need it. Any young guns out there thinking gps is the answer, yes it is good but if your scrambling through rocks and gulleys your gps will multi map and ping you duff locations, big buildings in cities sometimes do this plus if your on the go for a few days you don't need batteries👍
Yep, those 2º over 300m is 10 metres error. Going into a ridge crossing with 10 metres safe pass with unexpected fog or whiteout, where you can't wait it out... indeed, can become a serious problem fast.
It does matter. People have died 50 feet from shelter. You should therefore always calculate for declination if possible, and try to be as accurate as possible.
There are many reports of this kind but sadly, compass land navigation does not provide that level of accuracy. And you have to take that in consideration. People died 50 feet from shelter because of improper preparation, terrain knowledge and navigating in poor visibility. If you are susceptible to fall in that kind of situation, the best item for land navigation is a GPS.
@@schiaucugabriel6202 Compass Navigation DOES provide you with enough information and accuracy to find the major landmarks, rivers, or roads, mountain peaks, lakes, gullies, unless you are in a blizzard with zero visability, but then as you said, GPS is the best. Compass use in the right hands is fairly reliable and can get you where you need to go, if you understand it and use it right. Databyter
@@cacadores3955 Go take correct magnetic north bearing in poor visibility on the Bucegi plateau where is no landmarks miles around and you are dead. If you get lost in the blizzard there, the magnetic north is as useful as a bicycle to a fish. That"s why people are dead yards away from shelter. Doh!
Great video. I’ve told people for years that trying to walk a straight line can get you lost. Drop into a thicket, climb a steep hill, negotiate around swampy areas etc. next thing you know you’ve drifted and your pace count is off even worse. When possible navigating using terrain association and taking smart paths is the way to go.
Well done, having taught map reading in the RAF Regiment, I found that this guy knew what he was talking about. Yes why get bogged down with heavy compasses and protractors? Silva compass any day so easy and light weight, especially for triangulation,. Well done and get out there folks no excuses .
Thanks for info ... Just wanted to mention some compasses have a screw that you can adjust the declination on the compass itself and not have to calculate add or subtract the declination manually
Great explanations on the three north versions. I concur with other commenters on your excellent coverage of this. However, as to ignoring declination I think it’s dangerous to say you can ignore it or it doesn’t matter. Rather it would be much safer to say you should be aware of what it is so you know which side of your intended target you are aiming for that you will end up. So if you have an easterly declination, you would want to know that so that if you get to the intended distance and you can’t find the object you’re looking for you would know to start looking westerly from your current location. Even if it’s a river you hit or a road etc you would need to know that in the case of an easterly declination that you would be east of your intended meeting point on the road so that you are to head west to arrive at your desired “meeting point”. However, here in Australia and you need to get to a water point eg a windmill pump or a soak or watering point that is on the map you would not want to be ‘ignoring’ the local declination when you could easily be hiking 10km - 23 kms to get there. The error after 5kms here could totally mean the difference between NOT finding that windmill and hence your desired water source. In bush locations you will miss a windmill even it it’s less than 300m away. So my point is readers / viewers - interpret this information carefully for your particular location because I can assure you - here in Australia if you’re out bush and intending to travel to a specific site out bush ON FOOT you do not want to be ignoring declination. The consequences on a 30 -45 Deg C. Day could be very dire. In the least it could just be the embarrassment of having to be rescued because you end up getting lost. Aussies familiar with our outback will know what I am talking about. A significant amount of our country does not afford the pleasures of lots of items to sight or garner a bearing from once you leave the high ground. So perhaps in some countries or regions within some countries (including Australia) perhaps you might be able to ignore it because of the existence of plenty of secondary locator items to help you work out where you are but in some regions (especially outback Australia) you can’t afford to ignore the effects on your navigation of local area declination. I’m not knocking HT and this great video presentation. Just wanting to make sure you do apply a little common sense when interpreting this message and how to apply it to your intended hike / walk location.
@@YouGruff on a mountain ridge, on an unexpected fog, knowing the its 20 metres wide, only 10 metres are safe, but you can't see it and you can't wait it out. Whether the person decides its important to factor it or if it can be disregarded its their decision. Hence, it mattered and was accounted for. Its the same as for the use of a compass. Many times, with lots of features, compass stays in the bag. I wouldn't say it wouldn't matter.
Exactly. The presenter is from England: we have mist, white-outs and heavy rain that can just roll in from the sea with no warning. The question is, why does he really think risking getting lost is BETTER than half a second twisting a compass ring by the magnetic off-set number? So dumb!
@@YouGruff 10°? On the moors or in the mountains, 1.5° off can get you killed. What really is the argument for NOT taking a ten-second magnetic bearing? Don't get it.
Great channel, by far, FAR, the best source for intellectual real world knowledge. Every hard as nails super serious American military guy I see on RUclips is trying to explain navigation as an exact science, as if they've never been stationed in a camp and spent years in the wild.
I remember my high school science teacher teaching the compass and explaining the importance of magnetic declination and I have always set the declination on my compasses. So before i watched this video i was saying to myself you have to adjust the compass. Now after watching this you are absolutely right as long as you have some sort of line of sight the declination really is not necessary. Great video.
I was a hard believer in declination adjustment and then I met an Instructor in the Swedish Army. He told me he never taught it in classes and he’s taught 1000s and his reasoning which is what I cover in this video is what persuaded me. I argued with him at first but I started doing it his way and after trying it myself I realized getting anal about declination is not worth it
One of best explanations on conversion of azimuth from map to compass and reverse. Most othe videos on this topic don't get to this, the most important part of plotting your track. Thank you.
1st class presentation and breakdown thankyou so much other presenters can learn alot from your method instead of drowning us with jargon as if we all know the terms already.. Thankyou have subscribed to the channel
You are right - I think. As a new student in these matters, I think the best advice is to take account of and include the declination for your local area. Don't ignore it - do the calculations every time. The more one uses and applies the principles, the safer one will be in navigation. I've been lost (for a week) in a remote area and I can assure you it is not very nice.
Great explanation and very practical for the land navigation. In real situation this absolutely reasonable and practicable. We got your main point on the subject. Great one. 5stars.... Cheers..
Yes, all this talk about declination confuses me! And that rhyme is the same whether your east or west....the way we were taught was that an East variation is a minus (east us least) and a west variation is positive ( west is best,) to if you'd magnetic variation is 5e, and you are going from a mag bearing of say 150 to a grid, it is 150 - -5, which is 155.... If the mag variation was 10w, going from mag to grid it would be 150- 10 =140....the beauty of this method is you do the same thing regardless of whether variation is east or west. ..it also works in reverse for converting from grid to mag...
In New England we're not that far from the magnetic north pole, so declination is substantial. It's over -14 degrees where I live, and more than -15 in Maine. But here straight line navigation is nearly impossible due to either land being owned, or natural barriers.
Astonishing presentation,magnetic declination demistified,real world navigation apllication.The best map /compass video I've seen on You tube.What else should I ask for?My humble complinents Sir. Subscribed.A new Greek fan.
On Ordnance Survey maps the variation / declination of Magnetic north is given from Grid North and True North variation is also given from Grid North. I only ever need to know the variation from Grid North to Magentic north when taking bearing from either land or from a map. Its interesting that the Grid datum for OS maps is 2 degrees west (true Origin) and recently the change of magnetic variation has crossed from West to East start at Langton Matravers on the Dorset coast in November 2022 and is slowly moving north leaving the English Coast at Berwick upon Tweed during August 2025
Exactly. In the terrain I see in this video, there are trees, brush, rocks, and hills. You can't go it a straight line for 100 yards and probably not for 100 feet.
In land navigation, the declination become an issue in Northen Canada and Northen Russia where it can go up to 50°. Less but still, in South Africa or New Zeeland, where a proper calibration of magnetic declination is more than necessary.
Very good material. Concise explanation and right conclusions. In fact, it would be possible to go in the right direction, indicated by the compass, also by dodging, choosing a better way, but only if you fixed a point lying on our azimuth and kept an eye on it or... keep him in mind - in situation if only we could find this point, even if it disappeared from our sight for a while, for example in a grove. When using a compass, it is also worth looking at the topography of the terrain, comparing it with the map. This allows you to correct the position, move in the right direction. In general, the map is the basis, I use the compass rather in the field, where the destination is not visible (e.g. in the forest) and it is impossible to determine it thanks to the map alone. Greetings from Poland.
You are right for common navigation just trust the compass as it is. Most people do not know that the slight variation over one mile is only eight inches per mile squared. All good land surveyors know this is true and you can fact-check this. Here is why any given east-to-west line will follow a curve, but all north and south lines are straight. These days they call it declination and claim it moves but the truth is all east-to-west lines follow a curved line of eight inches per mile squared and that my friend is the truth. The surveyors in America found this error way back in the early days when surveying across the United States. If you look at a map of the United States you will find the curve at the most northern border. They wanted a straight line but the compasses led them on the curved line.
Very well done by someone who really knows what he is talking about. I have been in areas where declination has been 25 degrees then it becomes really important. But in the UK and especially when walking just about anywhere I believe you can safely ignore it as the declination currently is so small. There is no such thing as a cheap compass however.
Very interesting video, and you are completely right on not "over-acting" on declination. Indeed, where I am in Spain, I calculated it and on a 3 kilometer track the declination error would result in only about 50 meters... PS I have just subscribed to your channel :-)
If you're standing down under, (Australia) holding a compass in a level position, isn't it pointing to outer space?To point in a northern direction shouldn't it point in a vertical direction as the north is up over ?
Nope. You need a south hemisphere compass and a compass needle actually aligns itself to the lines of magnetic field at the place you are standing. It doesn’t actually point at a spot in the north. But those lines if your were to walk along them would eventually arrive at that point, like following a winding path way
Overall good points and good explanation. Especially the bit about west magnetic declination being given as negative degrees (because when you look up magnetic declination online it assumes you are taking a compass azimuth reading to the map, and the amount of west magnetic declination would be subtracted from the compass reading by adding a negative number). A topic that many people seem to have difficulty understanding why west magnetic declination is listed as say - 9˚. However, I would say the only time you can completely ignore magnetic declination is when you are not using a map with the compass, and are only using the compass to keep track of the directions and distances you walk. without reference to a map. But as a practical matter in practice, when using map and compass together, I would agree if mag declination is only ~ 5˚, most of the time mag declination can be ignored. Heck the degree ring on many compasses are only divided into 5˚ divisions. You can only estimate to a couple of degrees in between the marks. Positioning the edge of the base plate on the left or right side of a pencil dot on the map will change the measured bearing by close to 5˚, too. Most good quality base plate compasses are only accurate to 2˚~2.5˚, and can only be sighted to a landmark with about 5˚ accuracy, by most people, using good sighting technique. At best only very slightly more accurately. Probably a little more accurately if using a lensatic or prismatic compass, I have found mirror sighting compasses only slightly more accurate than a base plate compass due to parallax reading the needle alignment in the tilted mirror. Thus as a practical matter, as you pointed out, magnetic declination can mostly be ignored over short distances if mag. declination is only ~ 5˚ +/- a couple of degrees. That supports your opinion that magnetic declination can, most of time, be ignored. However, in dense fog or heavy snowfall conditions, or trying to find a geocache that is difficult to find without precise navigation to its location, adjusting for magnetic declination would, I think, be important to take into account. Errors in azimuth and impossibility to walk laser straight lines also shows why deliberate azimuth off set to a destination target, walking to a handrail & following it to the desired destination and short distances to check points, are practical necessary compass navigation techniques to use. [as an aside - afaik - only the Silva 54 6400 360, Silva 55 6400 360 or the Francis Barker M73 navigation type compasses are accurate to 0.5˚ with degree scales marked with 1˚ divisions. Only some specialty sighting compasses or geographers pocket transits rival that resolution] One can calculate how far off course you will be per degree off accurate bearing (azimuth) by thinking of a circle with a radius = the distance. Calculate the circumference. Then divide it by 360˚. Example: 1 mile = 5280ft. Circumference = 2 * r * pi = 2(5280)pi = 33,175.2 ft. --> 33,175.2/360˚ = 92.2ft/1˚. If ignoring a 5˚ magnetic declination at 1 mile you could be off course by 5 * 92.2ft = 460.8 ft or 153.6 yards. Unless looking for something very small, that's often close enough. I just use a thumb rule of ; 1mile / 100 ft / 1˚, for easy math, which would indicate I could be up to 500ft off course if ignoring a 5˚ magnetic declination, fairly close to the more accurate 461ft. calculated error . . 5˚ off at 5 miles =~ 5˚ * 5miles * 100 ft = 2,500 ft, just under 1/2 mile. Aiming for a point on a road (handrail ) that is 1/2 mile east of where you left your car is a practical navigation method. A similar metric thumb rule would be 1km / 1˚ / 20 meters (rounded up from 17.45 meters). 5˚ off to a distance of 5km (=~ 1 mile) would be 500 meters off target, 5 km * 5˚ * 20 m, fairly close to the actual calculated error of 436.2 meters. But easier math. For correct magnetic declination adjustment. I use an acronym and a phrase of my own creation. I probably recall it more reliably because I dreamed it up myself. WAvES, = West Add v East Subtract. Think magnetic waves. With the phrase -- The Map WAvES to the Compass, and the Compass WAvES back. (WAvES back means backwards ( reverse the math operation), West Add becomes West Subtract, & East Subtract becomes East Add. Meaning, for example, if hiking in an area with magnetic declination of 10˚ west. A grid azimuth measured on the map of 100˚ to a desired target --> the Map WAvES to the Compass, = West Add 10˚ to the 100˚ and set 110˚ on the compass. Or if local magnetic declination is 12˚ east. If on the map you measure an azimuth of 100˚, Map WAvES to compass, East Subtract 12˚, set on the compass 100 - 12 = 88˚. Or if walking a trail, and you want to determine your position, and with the compass read an azimuth (bearing) of 120˚ to a cell tower or distant road junction. "The Compass WAvES back(wards), = East Subtracts becomes East ADD, = 120˚ + 12˚ = 132˚ grid azimuth to be measured on the map. To find your location on the trail within a few degrees of accuracy. It's better to be a physicist than a mathematician. From an old joke about the two professions, both men - when they are given the problem, Can you reach the most beautiful woman in the world across the room IF you can only approach her by taking steps that halves the remaining distance to her? The mathematician says he can never reach her. The physicists says he can get close enough. He's the more practical fellow. Assuming compass land navigation with a standard available compass is only accurate to about 5˚ is a practical thing, I think, too. Anyway, I enjoy many of your videos. Find them informative & practical.
Good explanation of practical ground movement. You only have to look at a footpath on an ordinance survey map to see the pathways. Also see a sheep track across a field. it wanders. Human beings do not like travelling in a straight line.
One of the best descriptions of declination I have seen - thanks so much. One concern I do have though is you dismiss its importance but I am in New Zealand where our declination is on average 23 degrees E. So I believe it’s important to take the declination into consideration when taking a map bearing to a compass bearing when selecting the path of travel on a hike. Would you agree? Or am I being too fussy.?
If I am traveling on land, and I have a compass with no adjustment for mag declination, and am doing an "out and back" hunting route, I see no need for compute declination or variation at all. The compass will remain true and get me back to my starting point...
Hey you got around to the declination question. I knew a certain amount but you've elaborated here. Thanks for shearing and the effort. Would take some study. All the best. Mark
I didn't pick up the notification. Was it that long ago? Now it's free will but is inspiration worth you subscribing to my channel? Just a thought. Have a great week. Mark
Aaah I didn't receive the notification - so sorry about that. I guess the thought has been the result of no visit - again free will. I do some great hiking videos mind you...
I watched this video because of the title. Perhaps it should have been titled 'Compass Declination: Why it matters and when you need to use it' as that is what you demonstrated. There are many areas across the globe where there is a significant Grid Magnetic Angle and where even over short distances it must be accounted for. In my experience I'd only really consider disregarding GMA if it was 3 degrees or less (but that's a personal prefererence) and only over very short legs. Having said that the majority of the time you will require to carry out compass work will be in poor visibility or at night. If navigating in a whiteout in the Scottish Highlands I'd be trying to maintain as accurate a bearing as possible, as even a small variation can be dangerous. Many years ago I trained on Swedish maps which were extremely interesting as those sheets were of an area where on one side of the map the GMA was positive and the other half was negative! So the old adage of Grid to Mag add, Mag to Grid get rid was reversed on the other half of the map. I still navigate using a Mils compass and it was very simple to calculate error as 1 mil = 1 metre at 1km. There are roughly 17 mils to the degree so every degree of error works out at around 17m over a kilometre. With a good sighting compass you can get some really accurate results,though as you say not laser accurate. For those looking for a book on the subject I can recommend 'The Ultimate Navigation Manual' by Lyle Brotherton.
DON'T FORGET: The magnetic poles are moving. The NORTH magnetic pole, which has been in Northern Canada for hundreds of years, has left Canada and is crossing the Arctic Ocean heading for Siberia. If the direction does not change significantly, it is heading for the Indian Ocean after passing through Russia. Be sure to check with the US Geological Survey (USGS) for the current declaration for your location.
I think the easiest way to remember would be to rotate the bearing to the left if you have an easterly declination and to the right if you have a westerly declination. Please tell me if this approach fails in any case whether from the compass to map or map to compass?
In general in the internet, it needs to be made much clearer that, in the uk at least, it’s the magnetic variation angle rather than declination we use to navigate ie we look at grid north, not true north. In Fort William right now the declination is 2 degrees but the variation angle is as close to 0 it makes no difference. That actually can make a huge difference, especially if you’re navigating between gullies in a white out
This comment is nonsense magetic variation and magnetic declination are two names for the same thing. My source is Encylopedia Brittanica. www.britannica.com/technology/variation-compass
Declination error plus lateral drift could be very significant. In my area the forest is so dense that you cannot often see far in the distance plus there are so many hills and valleys that look similar so as it would be hard to differentiate one land mark from another though I do see your point in alot of situations.
In dense forest following a straight line for more than a few steps is impossible. Therefore navigation over a distance that magnetic declination would be important is impossible. You should learn how to navigate in dense forest by using back stops and and hand rails.
@@verysurvival Hand rails? Right. Next time I'm in a forest I'll look out for hand rails rather than doing a watch-bearing on the sun. Do you even know what that is? Please stop giving advice - you could seriously injure someone.
the best explanations I've seen yet.
So you put this title “Declination doesn’t matter!” to attract attention to your video and then you rant about what is declination for over an hour?!
Well, I disagree! Declination DOES MATTER! In real life you also get really lost! And you don’t know your location every 500 meters or so! You can’t recheck your location too often in many real life situations!
Then you need to find yourself and if you don’t use declination, you would be horribly wrong and make a big mistake!
Of course, what you are not telling your viewers is that they need real practice and not only watching RUclips videos! You are making the videos for subscribers and money and not to make others, ( people unknown to you), good navigators!
@@danielculpepper9258 For the UK declination doesn't matter. As here it's .0 of a degree change. Pushing up to 1-2 degree in Scotland. So unless of course you're trying to find a f*ing pebble, it has no real bearing (ba dum tis). The point here is that declination depends on your location in the world. Which is a very valid point as have many comments bellow highlighted. As well as the effect the map has on it. Finally, no one becomes a good navigator from RUclips videos. Not once did the video say such a thing, calm down.
thank you Very Survival to explain the declination so good. Its really the best explainiton i see on youtube and internet. Helped me out.
I like this video, I will use it to teach scouts about declination, HOWEVER, in the Northwest USA our declination is 20-22 degrees. If you are ignoring declination here, you will be 1 mile off your line after just 3.2 miles. So know your area that you are hiking.
I agree this is a good video and quite useful for teaching. However, Magnetic North has been moving very fast over the last 10-20 years (earthsky.org/earth/magnetic-north-rapid-drift-blobs-flux) . So for Portland Oregon, declination is now about 15.4°. Here is a link to a NOAA calculator (www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomag/calculators/magcalc.shtml?useFullSite=true).
I hope that this is useful. I enjoyed scouting too! It taught me a lot about the world and how to figure things out.
Same here in New Zealand
Finally a declination explanation I was able to retain. (They all make sense to a greater or lesser degree, while you’re watching them. The key for me has been difficulty in recalling them once the video stops.)
It may not matter much, but since it's so easy to compensate for, I can't see any reason to ignore it. Why not aim for precision, and then if you're a little off, so be it, but you won't be as far off as if you ignore declination. It's easy enough to plan a route around poor terrain anyway, and if you are very good at precise land navigation, it's much easier to trust your more complicated pre-planned routing. A lot of the problems you describe come down to poor technique. Aim for perfection! You won't quite get there, but if you at least try you'll get a lot closer in the long run, especially with practice.
fair comment
Yes. The argument, 'it's better to be inaccurate and accept a 260m error when you don't need to' is a little mad.
I see the points in his discussion on declination not being overly concerned with. More concerned about his not training people in the utilization of tools like implimenting back-stops or bearing off, and what to do when someone reaches tbese points.
Where I live, it's 11°E, double your problems. In the bush, you'd be right out if you didn't account
It’s 12 west where I am so I’d be utterly fu*ked if I followed the advice in this video. I’d say that if the magnetic declination is any greater than + or - 3° and you are traveling more than a few miles or Kilometers, you need to do the calculations or you can really end up off course. You already have a deviation if 2 to 3 degrees even if you do the calculations simply due to the margin of inaccuracy in most compasses, so you can get off course by quite a lot if you ignore declination. It must be nice for people living near the atomic line
You are the FIRST person who has correctly explained that there are THREE norths, and that grid north is NOT the same as true north. Well done you. 9 out of 10 RUclips sites purporting to teach compass navigation use these two terms (true north and grid north) interchangeably as if they mean the same thing. And they don't. Where I live in New Zealand, the declination from grid north to magnetic north is 21 degrees E. The declination between true north and magnetic north is 24 degrees E. If I follow grid north to visit Santa Claus, I will be many miles off by the time I get there.
Check out Corporal's Corner. His land navigation video also discussed the three norths.
fakecubed I agree corporal kelly and this tutorial are the most clear and accurate navigation tutorials on RUclips 👍🏻
Excellent video... I have watch three others that got me more confused about declination and this one was my saviour. Thank you, enough info that you understand but not enough that your left wondering what hit you.
Good points you have made and for sure when mag north is say 12 deg East where I am in Melbourne Australia we cant ignore it. Even more so, when the landscape is featureless for a lot of the aussie bush. A good compass with sighting mirror like the Suunto MC2G makes it a lot easier to shoot bearings.
Cheers
Dumb question: do you navigate by the Magnetic North Pole or the Magnetic South Pole? Would they be different numbers? This could get complicated quickly...
@@PatrickKQ4HBD Always by magnetic north pole. And we have to use southern hemisphere compass, as the magnetic field comes up out of the ground, so we have to have north needle weighted heavier than the south, which is opposite of USA. If we dont have a southern compass, we have to take a USA compass and magnetise the needle backwards, then we use white as north and red as south, this is so we have the weighting on the south, so that when the compass is level it balances.
Ive learned how to navigate by watching youtube, Ive watched many land nav vids on here, yours is one of the best, I wanted to brush up a bit and came across your video,, thanks
thats cool to hear, cheers
Excellent video on the practicality of declination. I used to be involved in the creation of such maps and you did a great job of explaining the Norths (there's also geodetic North but lets not get in to that). One thing viewers might question is why the difference between grid N, and True N and why it has to be adjusted for (though not in a practical way as you have demonstrated) so showing that the grid is a series of perpendicular "square" lines evenly spaced along a baseline (like graph paper) and when you slap that grid on a curved surface (the Earth) you'll see that the further N or S you go from that baseline the more divergence there is from the grid to the True lines longitude. Grids are perfect for the coordinate systems we use. From the grid you can get and calculate coordinates on our maps. lat/Lon is good for navigation. Great job on the video!
Thank you! This one the only videos I've found that actually explains compass and map nav well.
nice to hear. take care mate
Ive wondered how critical declination is. Accuracy setting it, pointing at an object, ability to stay on path, hiking east/ west changing declination, the change over time. And one thing i didnt consider, how often we reroute/ recalculate throughout the hike. You're the only person I've heard adress this, and your point at 20 min in was perfect. Thank you!
Watched all the way through. Well presented, very natural. Put me at ease re declination. I love navigating but from one trip to the next I've forgotten what I have learnt but now I can forget about declination and concentrate on other more important aspects. Thank you Humble Trekker.
Welcome mate
I’m getting back into hiking having not used a map and compass in 15 years since I was in the scouts! This video and your channel is super helpful in refreshing my memory on loads of things. Nice one mate!
awesome bro have a great time
Ignore what he says about not bothering with magnetic north. Do that and you could fall over a ravine.
Nice to see a UK guy talk about kilometers ;). And a very informative video. I do teach declination, inclination and most of all the human mistake factor. Most students use electronic devices now until batteries run out.
I usually say, different continent, different compass if you are in terrain where a compass that points accurate is really necessary so in remote areas with few landmarks.
Even a button compass that points in the wrong direction but in a constant matter can still be used to prevent you from walking in circles. Because walking in circles is no myth. That's what we do naturally.
Plain, honest talk. Much appreciated.
cheers
This is by far the best explanation for declination!
Yes good video, good explanation and I suppose it's all down to preference and your own personal way of navigating. Personally for me
if the difference is more than 2 degrees then you need to take adjustments into account. I do a lot of scrambling and go from ridge to ridge often in poor vis and 2 degrees is the max for me. I would definitely recommend a compass where you can pre set the declination for your area but learning to move from map to compass and vice versa is an essential like learning your times table, its there if you need it. Any young guns out there thinking gps is the answer, yes it is good but if your scrambling through rocks and gulleys your gps will multi map and ping you duff locations, big buildings in cities sometimes do this plus if your on the go for a few days you don't need batteries👍
Yep, those 2º over 300m is 10 metres error. Going into a ridge crossing with 10 metres safe pass with unexpected fog or whiteout, where you can't wait it out... indeed, can become a serious problem fast.
Yep. How long does it take to adjust for magnetic north? Half a second? To ignore it in mountains is dangerous stupidity.
Brilliant video! Well done😊 This video helped me a lot‼️ thank you👍
It does matter. People have died 50 feet from shelter. You should therefore always calculate for declination if possible, and try to be as accurate as possible.
Exactly.
There are many reports of this kind but sadly, compass land navigation does not provide that level of accuracy. And you have to take that in consideration. People died 50 feet from shelter because of improper preparation, terrain knowledge and navigating in poor visibility. If you are susceptible to fall in that kind of situation, the best item for land navigation is a GPS.
@@schiaucugabriel6202 Compass Navigation DOES provide you with enough information and accuracy to find the major landmarks, rivers, or roads, mountain peaks, lakes, gullies, unless you are in a blizzard with zero visability, but then as you said, GPS is the best. Compass use in the right hands is fairly reliable and can get you where you need to go, if you understand it and use it right. Databyter
@@schiaucugabriel6202 But if you take a correct magnetic north bearing you CAN navigate in poor visibility. That's the whole point. Doh!
@@cacadores3955 Go take correct magnetic north bearing in poor visibility on the Bucegi plateau where is no landmarks miles around and you are dead. If you get lost in the blizzard there, the magnetic north is as useful as a bicycle to a fish. That"s why people are dead yards away from shelter. Doh!
Great video. I’ve told people for years that trying to walk a straight line can get you lost. Drop into a thicket, climb a steep hill, negotiate around swampy areas etc. next thing you know you’ve drifted and your pace count is off even worse. When possible navigating using terrain association and taking smart paths is the way to go.
Right mate
It's a straw man argument that using a compass means you're attempting to walk in a straight line.
This is a prime video and needs to be popping up first in these types of series.
Cheers mate
Well done, having taught map reading in the RAF Regiment, I found that this guy knew what he was talking about. Yes why get bogged down with heavy compasses and protractors? Silva compass any day so easy and light weight, especially for triangulation,. Well done and get out there folks no excuses .
Thanks for info ... Just wanted to mention some compasses have a screw that you can adjust the declination on the compass itself and not have to calculate add or subtract the declination manually
Nice demonstration, there will be some who nitpick but for the intended purposes your on point. Thank you.
Thanks for watching!
Thank you for making this. This is the clearest explanation that I’ve seen on the subject.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great explanations on the three north versions. I concur with other commenters on your excellent coverage of this.
However, as to ignoring declination I think it’s dangerous to say you can ignore it or it doesn’t matter. Rather it would be much safer to say you should be aware of what it is so you know which side of your intended target you are aiming for that you will end up. So if you have an easterly declination, you would want to know that so that if you get to the intended distance and you can’t find the object you’re looking for you would know to start looking westerly from your current location. Even if it’s a river you hit or a road etc you would need to know that in the case of an easterly declination that you would be east of your intended meeting point on the road so that you are to head west to arrive at your desired “meeting point”. However, here in Australia and you need to get to a water point eg a windmill pump or a soak or watering point that is on the map you would not want to be ‘ignoring’ the local declination when you could easily be hiking 10km - 23 kms to get there. The error after 5kms here could totally mean the difference between NOT finding that windmill and hence your desired water source. In bush locations you will miss a windmill even it it’s less than 300m away. So my point is readers / viewers - interpret this information carefully for your particular location because I can assure you - here in Australia if you’re out bush and intending to travel to a specific site out bush ON FOOT you do not want to be ignoring declination. The consequences on a 30 -45 Deg C. Day could be very dire. In the least it could just be the embarrassment of having to be rescued because you end up getting lost. Aussies familiar with our outback will know what I am talking about. A significant amount of our country does not afford the pleasures of lots of items to sight or garner a bearing from once you leave the high ground. So perhaps in some countries or regions within some countries (including Australia) perhaps you might be able to ignore it because of the existence of plenty of secondary locator items to help you work out where you are but in some regions (especially outback Australia) you can’t afford to ignore the effects on your navigation of local area declination.
I’m not knocking HT and this great video presentation. Just wanting to make sure you do apply a little common sense when interpreting this message and how to apply it to your intended hike / walk location.
He does mention the importance of anything over 10 degrees, also the variances in readings from compass bearing and sighting to landmark etc
@@YouGruff on a mountain ridge, on an unexpected fog, knowing the its 20 metres wide, only 10 metres are safe, but you can't see it and you can't wait it out. Whether the person decides its important to factor it or if it can be disregarded its their decision. Hence, it mattered and was accounted for.
Its the same as for the use of a compass. Many times, with lots of features, compass stays in the bag. I wouldn't say it wouldn't matter.
Exactly. The presenter is from England: we have mist, white-outs and heavy rain that can just roll in from the sea with no warning. The question is, why does he really think risking getting lost is BETTER than half a second twisting a compass ring by the magnetic off-set number? So dumb!
@@YouGruff 10°? On the moors or in the mountains, 1.5° off can get you killed. What really is the argument for NOT taking a ten-second magnetic bearing? Don't get it.
Perfect! Thanks for your efforts in making this video. Exactly what I needed to make my decision on the compass I’m going to buy.
many thanks... now i understand
Brilliant explanation based on real-life situations!
Great channel, by far, FAR, the best source for intellectual real world knowledge. Every hard as nails super serious American military guy I see on RUclips is trying to explain navigation as an exact science, as if they've never been stationed in a camp and spent years in the wild.
Outstanding explanation of declination.
What an absolutely clear , understandable explanation . Thank you very much.
Glad it was helpful!
Very good vid. Here in NZ declaration is around 22 degree. very hard to ignore especially in misty weather.
Yes mate. That’s a different story
Very informative. Thorough & well explained. Exactly what I needed. Your video has helped me clarify many questions I had. Thank you!
Great
Thanks very much. You are very good at making things understandable.
Cheers
Your's is one of the best tutorials on the compass I've watched. New sub
Thanks
Man this video has saved me so much headache.
Fantastic dude thank you so much. 🙏🏼
Glad it helped!
I remember my high school science teacher teaching the compass and explaining the importance of magnetic declination and I have always set the declination on my compasses. So before i watched this video i was saying to myself you have to adjust the compass. Now after watching this you are absolutely right as long as you have some sort of line of sight the declination really is not necessary. Great video.
I was a hard believer in declination adjustment and then I met an Instructor in the Swedish Army. He told me he never taught it in classes and he’s taught 1000s and his reasoning which is what I cover in this video is what persuaded me. I argued with him at first but I started doing it his way and after trying it myself I realized getting anal about declination is not worth it
Humble Trekker my analness will always set the declination though.
Fantastic explanation- best I have seen. Down to earth and easy to understand
Glad it was helpful!
Even I could follow you here, good to know.
One of best explanations on conversion of azimuth from map to compass and reverse. Most othe videos on this topic don't get to this, the most important part of plotting your track. Thank you.
Thanks
Thanks
Good video. Thanks.
Excellent video...Really clear and precise....Thanks!!
Glad it was helpful!
This guy's good at explaining the details👍
I appreciate that!
1st class presentation and breakdown thankyou so much other presenters can learn alot from your method instead of drowning us with jargon as if we all know the terms already.. Thankyou have subscribed to the channel
Thanks 🙏
Good video bro, really enjoyed it .
Glad you enjoyed
You are absolutely right! Actually you don’t even need a compass (or a map for that matter). Just follow the traffic signs or ask a kind local...
Just never get out the Uber
You are right - I think.
As a new student in these matters, I think the best advice is to take account of and include the declination for your local area.
Don't ignore it - do the calculations every time.
The more one uses and applies the principles, the safer one will be in navigation.
I've been lost (for a week) in a remote area and I can assure you it is not very nice.
This is simply fantastic. Thanks for the great work!
Thanks
One of the best explanation on declination 👍
🙏
Great explanation and very practical for the land navigation. In real situation this absolutely reasonable and practicable. We got your main point on the subject. Great one. 5stars.... Cheers..
Glad it was helpful!
Very good
This is exactly how we trained in the military for the bush war in South Africa. 10 out of 10
cheers
Best explanation I've seen on you tube me old mucker. Time for a brew now.
738polarbear cheers
Awesome video dude
Cheers 🍻
In the Army we used to call it the magnetic variation, we remebered it by the rhyme Mag to grid = get rid, or Grid to Mag= add.
Clever rhyme
Yes, all this talk about declination confuses me! And that rhyme is the same whether your east or west....the way we were taught was that an East variation is a minus (east us least) and a west variation is positive ( west is best,) to if you'd magnetic variation is 5e, and you are going from a mag bearing of say 150 to a grid, it is 150 - -5, which is 155.... If the mag variation was 10w, going from mag to grid it would be 150- 10 =140....the beauty of this method is you do the same thing regardless of whether variation is east or west. ..it also works in reverse for converting from grid to mag...
Thanks for sharing , great information !
Cheers mate
In New England we're not that far from the magnetic north pole, so declination is substantial. It's over -14 degrees where I live, and more than -15 in Maine. But here straight line navigation is nearly impossible due to either land being owned, or natural barriers.
This is a fantastic explanation. Subscribed and look forward to more!
Awesome, thank you!
Astonishing presentation,magnetic declination demistified,real world navigation apllication.The best map /compass video I've seen on You tube.What else should I ask for?My humble complinents Sir. Subscribed.A new Greek fan.
chiosmet thankyou for the positive comment
Thanks Man great info 👍🏻
Any time!
On Ordnance Survey maps the variation / declination of Magnetic north is given from Grid North and True North variation is also given from Grid North. I only ever need to know the variation from Grid North to Magentic north when taking bearing from either land or from a map. Its interesting that the Grid datum for OS maps is 2 degrees west (true Origin) and recently the change of magnetic variation has crossed from West to East start at Langton Matravers on the Dorset coast in November 2022 and is slowly moving north leaving the English Coast at Berwick upon Tweed during August 2025
Very useful. Thanks!
Nice and clearly described. Thanks
This is how I’ve always done it. I have got lost a few times in my life, but never using a map and compass and I’ve always done it this way.
Thank You.
Brilliant Video
Thanks
Great vid, thank you very much! I finally understand declination and even better, that I wont ever need it 😁
Cheers
Excellent knowledge.
Interesting information, but I will still set my magnetic declination. :)
Awesome video thanks man you’re the best seriously
I appreciate that!
Perfect explanation.
Glad you think so!
Declination is important
But your view is certainly taken into account
Exactly. In the terrain I see in this video, there are trees, brush, rocks, and hills. You can't go it a straight line for 100 yards and probably not for 100 feet.
word
Ty im doing my project on this its so h elpful
Great video - superb explanation about a difficult subject . Cheers Torben, DK
Thymallus1965 cheers mate
In land navigation, the declination become an issue in Northen Canada and Northen Russia where it can go up to 50°. Less but still, in South Africa or New Zeeland, where a proper calibration of magnetic declination is more than necessary.
Very good material. Concise explanation and right conclusions. In fact, it would be possible to go in the right direction, indicated by the compass, also by dodging, choosing a better way, but only if you fixed a point lying on our azimuth and kept an eye on it or... keep him in mind - in situation if only we could find this point, even if it disappeared from our sight for a while, for example in a grove.
When using a compass, it is also worth looking at the topography of the terrain, comparing it with the map. This allows you to correct the position, move in the right direction. In general, the map is the basis, I use the compass rather in the field, where the destination is not visible (e.g. in the forest) and it is impossible to determine it thanks to the map alone. Greetings from Poland.
Cheers and beers
You are right for common navigation just trust the compass as it is. Most people do not know that the slight variation over one mile is only eight inches per mile squared. All good land surveyors know this is true and you can fact-check this. Here is why any given east-to-west line will follow a curve, but all north and south lines are straight. These days they call it declination and claim it moves but the truth is all east-to-west lines follow a curved line of eight inches per mile squared and that my friend is the truth. The surveyors in America found this error way back in the early days when surveying across the United States. If you look at a map of the United States you will find the curve at the most northern border. They wanted a straight line but the compasses led them on the curved line.
Very well done by someone who really knows what he is talking about. I have been in areas where declination has been 25 degrees then it becomes really important. But in the UK and especially when walking just about anywhere I believe you can safely ignore it as the declination currently is so small. There is no such thing as a cheap compass however.
As I say in the video don’t ignore it if it is more than 10
Very interesting video, and you are completely right on not "over-acting" on declination. Indeed, where I am in Spain, I calculated it and on a 3 kilometer track the declination error would result in only about 50 meters... PS I have just subscribed to your channel :-)
Thanks . Nice to meet you
And 50 metres could send you over a cliff edge. Great.
What about Celestial North?
Also, the UK is how many miles wide? Ignore declination at your own risk in the western US.
Hi I think the video is very informative and well presented. Will use in presentation for cadets to aid there use of a compass and route cards.Thanks
Thanks .
good many thanks
Cheers
If you're standing down under, (Australia) holding a compass in a level position, isn't it pointing to outer space?To point in a northern direction shouldn't it point in a vertical direction as the north is up over ?
Nope. You need a south hemisphere compass and a compass needle actually aligns itself to the lines of magnetic field at the place you are standing. It doesn’t actually point at a spot in the north. But those lines if your were to walk along them would eventually arrive at that point, like following a winding path way
Overall good points and good explanation. Especially the bit about west magnetic declination being given as negative degrees (because when you look up magnetic declination online it assumes you are taking a compass azimuth reading to the map, and the amount of west magnetic declination would be subtracted from the compass reading by adding a negative number). A topic that many people seem to have difficulty understanding why west magnetic declination is listed as say - 9˚.
However, I would say the only time you can completely ignore magnetic declination is when you are not using a map with the compass, and are only using the compass to keep track of the directions and distances you walk. without reference to a map.
But as a practical matter in practice, when using map and compass together, I would agree if mag declination is only ~ 5˚, most of the time mag declination can be ignored. Heck the degree ring on many compasses are only divided into 5˚ divisions. You can only estimate to a couple of degrees in between the marks. Positioning the edge of the base plate on the left or right side of a pencil dot on the map will change the measured bearing by close to 5˚, too.
Most good quality base plate compasses are only accurate to 2˚~2.5˚, and can only be sighted to a landmark with about 5˚ accuracy, by most people, using good sighting technique. At best only very slightly more accurately. Probably a little more accurately if using a lensatic or prismatic compass, I have found mirror sighting compasses only slightly more accurate than a base plate compass due to parallax reading the needle alignment in the tilted mirror.
Thus as a practical matter, as you pointed out, magnetic declination can mostly be ignored over short distances if mag. declination is only ~ 5˚ +/- a couple of degrees. That supports your opinion that magnetic declination can, most of time, be ignored.
However, in dense fog or heavy snowfall conditions, or trying to find a geocache that is difficult to find without precise navigation to its location, adjusting for magnetic declination would, I think, be important to take into account. Errors in azimuth and impossibility to walk laser straight lines also shows why deliberate azimuth off set to a destination target, walking to a handrail & following it to the desired destination and short distances to check points, are practical necessary compass navigation techniques to use.
[as an aside - afaik - only the Silva 54 6400 360, Silva 55 6400 360 or the Francis Barker M73 navigation type compasses are accurate to 0.5˚ with degree scales marked with 1˚ divisions. Only some specialty sighting compasses or geographers pocket transits rival that resolution]
One can calculate how far off course you will be per degree off accurate bearing (azimuth) by thinking of a circle with a radius = the distance. Calculate the circumference. Then divide it by 360˚.
Example: 1 mile = 5280ft. Circumference = 2 * r * pi = 2(5280)pi = 33,175.2 ft. --> 33,175.2/360˚ = 92.2ft/1˚. If ignoring a 5˚ magnetic declination at 1 mile you could be off course by 5 * 92.2ft = 460.8 ft or 153.6 yards. Unless looking for something very small, that's often close enough.
I just use a thumb rule of ; 1mile / 100 ft / 1˚, for easy math, which would indicate I could be up to 500ft off course if ignoring a 5˚ magnetic declination, fairly close to the more accurate 461ft. calculated error . . 5˚ off at 5 miles =~ 5˚ * 5miles * 100 ft = 2,500 ft, just under 1/2 mile. Aiming for a point on a road (handrail ) that is 1/2 mile east of where you left your car is a practical navigation method.
A similar metric thumb rule would be 1km / 1˚ / 20 meters (rounded up from 17.45 meters). 5˚ off to a distance of 5km (=~ 1 mile) would be 500 meters off target, 5 km * 5˚ * 20 m, fairly close to the actual calculated error of 436.2 meters. But easier math.
For correct magnetic declination adjustment. I use an acronym and a phrase of my own creation. I probably recall it more reliably because I dreamed it up myself.
WAvES, = West Add v East Subtract. Think magnetic waves. With the phrase -- The Map WAvES to the Compass, and the Compass WAvES back. (WAvES back means backwards ( reverse the math operation), West Add becomes West Subtract, & East Subtract becomes East Add.
Meaning, for example, if hiking in an area with magnetic declination of 10˚ west. A grid azimuth measured on the map of 100˚ to a desired target --> the Map WAvES to the Compass, = West Add 10˚ to the 100˚ and set 110˚ on the compass.
Or if local magnetic declination is 12˚ east. If on the map you measure an azimuth of 100˚, Map WAvES to compass, East Subtract 12˚, set on the compass 100 - 12 = 88˚. Or if walking a trail, and you want to determine your position, and with the compass read an azimuth (bearing) of 120˚ to a cell tower or distant road junction. "The Compass WAvES back(wards), = East Subtracts becomes East ADD, = 120˚ + 12˚ = 132˚ grid azimuth to be measured on the map. To find your location on the trail within a few degrees of accuracy.
It's better to be a physicist than a mathematician. From an old joke about the two professions, both men - when they are given the problem, Can you reach the most beautiful woman in the world across the room IF you can only approach her by taking steps that halves the remaining distance to her? The mathematician says he can never reach her. The physicists says he can get close enough. He's the more practical fellow. Assuming compass land navigation with a standard available compass is only accurate to about 5˚ is a practical thing, I think, too.
Anyway, I enjoy many of your videos. Find them informative & practical.
Good explanation of practical ground movement. You only have to look at a footpath on an ordinance survey map to see the pathways. Also see a sheep track across a field. it wanders. Human beings do not like travelling in a straight line.
great mate
One of the best descriptions of declination I have seen - thanks so much. One concern I do have though is you dismiss its importance but I am in New Zealand where our declination is on average 23 degrees E. So I believe it’s important to take the declination into consideration when taking a map bearing to a compass bearing when selecting the path of travel on a hike. Would you agree? Or am I being too fussy.?
I say in the vid if it is more than 10 degrees don’t ignore it ;-) in New Zealand adjust for declination
Thanks from Alec from SCOTLAND
Alex Blue cheers mate
If I am traveling on land, and I have a compass with no adjustment for mag declination, and am doing an "out and back" hunting route, I see no need for compute declination or variation at all. The compass will remain true and get me back to my starting point...
Hey you got around to the declination question. I knew a certain amount but you've elaborated here. Thanks for shearing and the effort. Would take some study. All the best. Mark
Yes if I remember you asked about how far one would go wrong . I did this video 6 months ago and released on patreon. You kinda inspired it
I didn't pick up the notification. Was it that long ago? Now it's free will but is inspiration worth you subscribing to my channel? Just a thought. Have a great week. Mark
i have been subscribed for ages mate
Aaah I didn't receive the notification - so sorry about that. I guess the thought has been the result of no visit - again free will. I do some great hiking videos mind you...
Great video hope it can wake some people up and they get interesting in one of the most important parts of there kit the brain . Happy Trails
Agreed
I watched this video because of the title. Perhaps it should have been titled 'Compass Declination: Why it matters and when you need to use it' as that is what you demonstrated. There are many areas across the globe where there is a significant Grid Magnetic Angle and where even over short distances it must be accounted for. In my experience I'd only really consider disregarding GMA if it was 3 degrees or less (but that's a personal prefererence) and only over very short legs. Having said that the majority of the time you will require to carry out compass work will be in poor visibility or at night. If navigating in a whiteout in the Scottish Highlands I'd be trying to maintain as accurate a bearing as possible, as even a small variation can be dangerous. Many years ago I trained on Swedish maps which were extremely interesting as those sheets were of an area where on one side of the map the GMA was positive and the other half was negative! So the old adage of Grid to Mag add, Mag to Grid get rid was reversed on the other half of the map.
I still navigate using a Mils compass and it was very simple to calculate error as 1 mil = 1 metre at 1km. There are roughly 17 mils to the degree so every degree of error works out at around 17m over a kilometre. With a good sighting compass you can get some really accurate results,though as you say not laser accurate.
For those looking for a book on the subject I can recommend 'The Ultimate Navigation Manual' by Lyle Brotherton.
maybe you are right!
Declination absolutely matters. It's easy to adjust for when doing route planning. Azimuths, Back Azimuths ETC.
Didn’t you watch the video?
@@verysurvival Yes. Yes I did.
However, I will always adjust for declination, since it is very important for the areas I trek through.
DON'T FORGET:
The magnetic poles are moving. The NORTH magnetic pole, which has been in Northern Canada for hundreds of years, has left Canada and is crossing the Arctic Ocean heading for Siberia. If the direction does not change significantly, it is heading for the Indian Ocean after passing through Russia.
Be sure to check with the US Geological Survey (USGS) for the current declaration for your location.
When I was in the military we were taught the Grandma socks rule which is Grid -> Magnetic -> Subtract (Grandma’s Socks)
Awesome explanation ! How many meters per degree of declination error is there in a kilometer?
17.5 meters
@@verysurvival Thanks
I think the easiest way to remember would be to rotate the bearing to the left if you have an easterly declination and to the right if you have a westerly declination. Please tell me if this approach fails in any case whether from the compass to map or map to compass?
this works for going from map to compass. and simply do the opposite for compass to map.
Great video, thanks a lot 🤓😃
Glad you liked it!
In general in the internet, it needs to be made much clearer that, in the uk at least, it’s the magnetic variation angle rather than declination we use to navigate ie we look at grid north, not true north.
In Fort William right now the declination is 2 degrees but the variation angle is as close to 0 it makes no difference. That actually can make a huge difference, especially if you’re navigating between gullies in a white out
This comment is nonsense magetic variation and magnetic declination are two names for the same thing. My source is Encylopedia Brittanica. www.britannica.com/technology/variation-compass
Declination error plus lateral drift could be very significant. In my area the forest is so dense that you cannot often see far in the distance plus there are so many hills and valleys that look similar so as it would be hard to differentiate one land mark from another though I do see your point in alot of situations.
In dense forest following a straight line for more than a few steps is impossible. Therefore navigation over a distance that magnetic declination would be important is impossible. You should learn how to navigate in dense forest by using back stops and and hand rails.
@@verysurvival Hand rails? Right. Next time I'm in a forest I'll look out for hand rails rather than doing a watch-bearing on the sun. Do you even know what that is? Please stop giving advice - you could seriously injure someone.