unless I am wrong the sequence is as follows: reconcile for the difference between poles (True N and Magn N) , then align the compass with the side line/edge of the map, rotate until red in the shed. Hmmm... each tutorial teaches it its own way =SS hopefully this is the right way. Some people adjust declination, then place compass on the map aligning with the meridian (or the side line/edge of the map), then align manually the N indicator (on the bezel dial/ring) with the index pointer (which is where the direction of the travel arrow begins) and then rotate the map.
If you already adjusted for declination (on the back of that particular compass) would you need to move the bezel at all? Or just keep N as 0 degrees and then wait for the “red in the shed”?
Overall, a pretty go video, but here's a few comments: The presenter is using an excellent compass, the Suunto M3. This compass has adjustable declination, but that terrific feature is not being shown in this video. If you set the declination once for your local area, which takes under one minute, you measure all bearings to true North. This means you don't have to use the outdated and unnecessary method of drawing magnetic north lines on your map, which is a pain in the butt and completely not needed. Think about it: if having long magnetic north lines drawn on your math is so helpful, why do you cartographers never include these on maps? Just spend an extra 10 bucks or so and get a good quality compass like the Suunto M3, your navigation life will be much easier.
Im sure he knows that and is showing people like me how to do it manually rather then using the ad on's some compass might have. I'm using old school tools I don't have that on mine. Good old straight line n pencil lol.
cartographers never include these on maps because declination changes over time while true north never changes; but to your credit, when the declination changes, this map is outdated and so are the lines.
I agree spend an extra 10 $ Point # 1 Spend the extra money on a compass with a declination adjustment. Scouts may not be able to afford this but there is a solution using an indelible pen. Point # 2 If you have an compass without an adjustment use a black indelible marker to mark the declination on the bezel. Use this line as your engraved needle aka "shed". Point #3 Adjust your declination for the area your in. Orient your map using the outside edge of the map. Using 360 as the bearing on the compass rotate the compass and map until the north needle is in the shed or the north needle is under your indelible mark. Point # 4 You can orientate your map without a declination adjustment or a mark if you continue to rotate the map to the number of degrees of either east or west declination. 10 degrees west would point the needle to 350 degrees. 10 east you would be 10 degrees. Point # 4 Use the compass as a protractor while on a map. Using an orientated map and taking bearings using the compass needle can be a problem. If you lay your map on a table metal objects may affect the needle. Using the compass as protractor takes this possible error out of the equation. Ensure engraved needle is up and align the parrellel lines in the bezel with the UTM grid lines. If you have not corrected for declination you must calculate whether you are adding or subtracting the declination when going from map to compass or compass to map. This is why setting a declination makes your life so much easier. Point #5 Marking magnetic lines on your map with a ruler can create issues For instance my area's declination changes 2 degrees east every year (Bon Echo Park, ON Canada). I bought a 10 $ map and now the lines will be out 6 degrees in 3 years. It is easier and more reliable to buy a 10$ more expensive compass with a declination adjuster than place mag lines on maps that become inaccurate.
question. I noticed the grid lines on the map are angled. are they angled to the G-M angle? if so you do not need to begin orienting with the12.5 G-M angle correct?
So many videos out of people not setting declination first before orienting they're maps. So many people have no clue how to work a compass. Thank you for covering this again.
Very clear explanation. Glad you indicated orienting a map, with a compass preset with magnetic declination and a compass not having a preset magnetic declination.
Best description of Compass reading, declination and map orientation I have seen yet. I wish I had you as my instructor in Boot Camp. Keep up the good work and instruction videos. Semper Fi
Continuation on my overall comment on your 2 part explanation of Magnetic and True North and how to use compass to then orientate on map. This is good but I would have hoped that you would have segwayed right into "Using a Map and Compass on a Hike - Map and Compass Skills - Video 4" In my opinion as a former Boy Scout Merit Badge Counselor on Orienteering I wholly agree with you on simply marking the map with lines desinating magnetic north. The map could then be used by others with their compass right out of the box without having to adjust for magnetic north since we took care of it by "FIXING' the map. It would then get be a lot of fun when I asked to Scouts to prepare line of travel for our an upcoming hike exercise. More often than not the Scouts would pay no attention to lakes, topography and just plot a line from point of origination "A" to finish point "B". So I made sure that along with the indicators for magnetic north they understood degree of incline and map symbols and find key land marks to will help with orientation on planned hike. Thanks again. I'll view your next video...good job!
I enjoy your site. It is one of my favourites for articles and items. I placed this comment on another site about the use of a compass. Feel free to comment or correct me. I will remain a loyal follower. PS, I bought a Suunto MB6 after reading your article and it is my "Go To" compass. Point # 1 Spend the extra money on a compass with a declination adjustment. Scouts may not be able to afford this but there is a solution using an indelible pen. Point # 2 If you have an compass without an adjustment use a black indelible marker to mark the declination on the bezel. Use this line as your engraved needle aka "shed". The line is easily removed with alcohol should you move into an area with a different declination. Point #3 Adjust your declination for the area your in. Orient your map using the outside edge of the map. Using 360 as the bearing on the compass rotate the compass and map until the north needle is in the shed or the north needle is under your indelible mark. Point # 4 You can orientate your map without a declination adjustment or a mark if you continue to rotate the map to the number of degrees of either east or west declination. 10 degrees west would point the needle to 350 degrees. 10 east you would be 10 degrees. Point # 4 Use the compass as a protractor while on a map. Using an orientated map and taking bearings using the compass needle can be a problem. If you lay your map on a table metal objects may affect the needle. Using the compass as protractor takes this possible error out of the equation. Ensure engraved needle is up and align the parallel lines in the bezel with the UTM grid lines. If you have not corrected for declination you must calculate whether you are adding or subtracting the declination when going from map to compass or compass to map. This is why setting a declination makes your life so much easier. Point #5 Marking magnetic lines on your map with a ruler can create issues. For instance my area's declination changes 2 degrees east every year (Bon Echo Park, ON Canada). I bought a 10 $ map and now the lines will be out 6 degrees in 3 years. It is easier and more reliable to buy a 10$ more expensive compass with a declination adjuster than place mag lines on maps that become inaccurate.
Great explanation John. I also watched your previous video on setting up the lines on your map. I now use this method for all my navigation with map & compass. Glad to see you making more videos.
Did you post a video on how to use compass to plan a hike? I can't find one under your account. You do a decent job and it would be nice to show how to plot a line / route of travel and what pitfalls to look out for...lakes, rivers, severe inclines and valleys, fences. By the way, it was fun to have the objective of getting from "A" to "B" and intentionally having obstacles placed in the path of travel and find out how each Scout would plot their route. I'll keep searching to see if you have a video on the aforementioned. Thanks Again!
Thankyou for the vid. very informative. very professional. i often come back to these videos as reference and refresher as i am an urbanite who only gets out to a place where you cant hear the highway and the city lights are far enough away that you can actually see the night sky twice a year on average.
What a simple, easy to understand and straight forward way to explain this. I learned this stuff decades ago in Scouts. A good refesher video. Orienteering really isn't hard but too many people try to show how smart they are when teaching this. They end up making it far more complicated then it really needs to be. K.I.S.S. Job well done Sir👍
You can also align the compass with the “MN” arrow on the bottom. Scouts were thought this way in the ‘60’s but adjusting for declination is all that is talked about these days.
Thanks for the great video. How far away do you think an object needs to be before you really start losing accuracy when transfering a bearing you took in the field to plotting it on a map? Seems like once you get over a mile the accuracy would really suffer
Thank you, John. Great video. I just have a simple question. I am currently using a lensatic compass, Army issue, currently stationed in Alaska with 1-5 IN. Could you go over a tutorial on how to orient the map with the lensatic compass? It is different than the one you are using, or maybe I am missing something. I love land nav and it comes quite natural to me, but I want to learn it more in depth. Thank you.
I'm a new subscriber and I wanted to Thank you for your hard work on making these wonderful videos. I really appreciate what your doing to help educate generations to come. Best wishes to you and yours.
2:45 - finding current declination for your location is easy. Go to magnetic-declination.com, and click anywhere on the world map to show the correct definition for that area.
I was having issues remembering when to add and subtract for magnetic declination. The method you show to use is very easy to remember. Thanks! Another great video.
I probably am about toask one of the stupidest questions but i have too. If i have a topo map of maine but im in coonecticut. Can i still put the lines in for magnetic declination on my maine map. And if yes how far apart are the lines from each other. Thank you for your quick response very respectfully Philip Maldonado.
You can put the lines on your map anytime, anywhere. As long as you use the correct declination. Sometimes the declination on the map has changed so you should check that first. You can use this link on our site: www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomag-web/ The width of the lines is up to you. I use the width of my long riler which is about 1.25" wide. But whatever you have will work. Hope this helps.
If you draw your declination lines at the given declination for the map, will not those lines be obsolete in several years as the declination changes?
unless I am wrong the sequence is as follows: reconcile for the difference between poles (True N and Magn N) , then align the compass with the side line/edge of the map, rotate until red in the shed. Hmmm... each tutorial teaches it its own way =SS hopefully this is the right way. Some people adjust declination, then place compass on the map aligning with the meridian (or the side line/edge of the map), then align manually the N indicator (on the bezel dial/ring) with the index pointer (which is where the direction of the travel arrow begins) and then rotate the map.
If you already adjusted for declination (on the back of that particular compass) would you need to move the bezel at all? Or just keep N as 0 degrees and then wait for the “red in the shed”?
Overall, a pretty go video, but here's a few comments:
The presenter is using an excellent compass, the Suunto M3. This compass has adjustable declination, but that terrific feature is not being shown in this video. If you set the declination once for your local area, which takes under one minute, you measure all bearings to true North. This means you don't have to use the outdated and unnecessary method of drawing magnetic north lines on your map, which is a pain in the butt and completely not needed.
Think about it: if having long magnetic north lines drawn on your math is so helpful, why do you cartographers never include these on maps?
Just spend an extra 10 bucks or so and get a good quality compass like the Suunto M3, your navigation life will be much easier.
Im sure he knows that and is showing people like me how to do it manually rather then using the ad on's some compass might have. I'm using old school tools I don't have that on mine. Good old straight line n pencil lol.
cartographers never include these on maps because declination changes over time while true north never changes; but to your credit, when the declination changes, this map is outdated and so are the lines.
I agree spend an extra 10 $
Point # 1
Spend the extra money on a compass with a declination adjustment. Scouts may not be able to afford this but there is a solution using an indelible pen.
Point # 2
If you have an compass without an adjustment use a black indelible marker to mark the declination on the bezel. Use this line as your engraved needle aka "shed".
Point #3
Adjust your declination for the area your in. Orient your map using the outside edge of the map. Using 360 as the bearing on the compass rotate the compass and map until the north needle is in the shed or the north needle is under your indelible mark.
Point # 4
You can orientate your map without a declination adjustment or a mark if you continue to rotate the map to the number of degrees of either east or west declination. 10 degrees west would point the needle to 350 degrees. 10 east you would be 10 degrees.
Point # 4
Use the compass as a protractor while on a map. Using an orientated map and taking bearings using the compass needle can be a problem. If you lay your map on a table metal objects may affect the needle. Using the compass as protractor takes this possible error out of the equation. Ensure engraved needle is up and align the parrellel lines in the bezel with the UTM grid lines.
If you have not corrected for declination you must calculate whether you are adding or subtracting the declination when going from map to compass or compass to map. This is why setting a declination makes your life so much easier.
Point #5
Marking magnetic lines on your map with a ruler can create issues For instance my area's declination changes 2 degrees east every year (Bon Echo Park, ON Canada). I bought a 10 $ map and now the lines will be out 6 degrees in 3 years. It is easier and more reliable to buy a 10$ more expensive compass with a declination adjuster than place mag lines on maps that become inaccurate.
question. I noticed the grid lines on the map are angled. are they angled to the G-M angle? if so you do not need to begin orienting with the12.5 G-M angle correct?
Please make more videos on this subject involving the compass. This info you share is valuable
Thank you. I was having my usual dyslexic issues with understanding declination and map orienting. Issues solved.
Excellent Video!
So many videos out of people not setting declination first before orienting they're maps. So many people have no clue how to work a compass. Thank you for covering this again.
Very clear explanation. Glad you indicated orienting a map, with a compass preset with magnetic declination and a compass not having a preset magnetic declination.
Well done John. Your an excellent teacher. Stephen, Ohio
Best description of Compass reading, declination and map orientation I have seen yet. I wish I had you as my instructor in Boot Camp. Keep up the good work and instruction videos. Semper Fi
great video john, ty...........
Brings back a LOT of memories from my Basic Training 30 years ago this past March.
Thanks,Amigo.......certainly a perishable skill !
Continuation on my overall comment on your 2 part explanation of Magnetic and True North and how to use compass to then orientate on map. This is good but I would have hoped that you would have segwayed right into "Using a Map and Compass on a Hike - Map and Compass Skills - Video 4" In my opinion as a former Boy Scout Merit Badge Counselor on Orienteering I wholly agree with you on simply marking the map with lines desinating magnetic north. The map could then be used by others with their compass right out of the box without having to adjust for magnetic north since we took care of it by "FIXING' the map. It would then get be a lot of fun when I asked to Scouts to prepare line of travel for our an upcoming hike exercise. More often than not the Scouts would pay no attention to lakes, topography and just plot a line from point of origination "A" to finish point "B". So I made sure that along with the indicators for magnetic north they understood degree of incline and map symbols and find key land marks to will help with orientation on planned hike. Thanks again. I'll view your next video...good job!
I enjoy your site. It is one of my favourites for articles and items. I placed this comment on another site about the use of a compass. Feel free to comment or correct me. I will remain a loyal follower. PS, I bought a Suunto MB6 after reading your article and it is my "Go To" compass.
Point # 1
Spend the extra money on a compass with a declination adjustment. Scouts may not be able to afford this but there is a solution using an indelible pen.
Point # 2
If you have an compass without an adjustment use a black indelible marker to mark the declination on the bezel. Use this line as your engraved needle aka "shed". The line is easily removed with alcohol should you move into an area with a different declination.
Point #3
Adjust your declination for the area your in. Orient your map using the outside edge of the map. Using 360 as the bearing on the compass rotate the compass and map until the north needle is in the shed or the north needle is under your indelible mark.
Point # 4
You can orientate your map without a declination adjustment or a mark if you continue to rotate the map to the number of degrees of either east or west declination. 10 degrees west would point the needle to 350 degrees. 10 east you would be 10 degrees.
Point # 4
Use the compass as a protractor while on a map. Using an orientated map and taking bearings using the compass needle can be a problem. If you lay your map on a table metal objects may affect the needle. Using the compass as protractor takes this possible error out of the equation. Ensure engraved needle is up and align the parallel lines in the bezel with the UTM grid lines.
If you have not corrected for declination you must calculate whether you are adding or subtracting the declination when going from map to compass or compass to map. This is why setting a declination makes your life so much easier.
Point #5
Marking magnetic lines on your map with a ruler can create issues. For instance my area's declination changes 2 degrees east every year (Bon Echo Park, ON Canada). I bought a 10 $ map and now the lines will be out 6 degrees in 3 years. It is easier and more reliable to buy a 10$ more expensive compass with a declination adjuster than place mag lines on maps that become inaccurate.
You are an excellent teacher. Thank you.
Great explanation John. I also watched your previous video on setting up the lines on your map. I now use this method for all my navigation with map & compass. Glad to see you making more videos.
Did you post a video on how to use compass to plan a hike? I can't find one under your account. You do a decent job and it would be nice to show how to plot a line / route of travel and what pitfalls to look out for...lakes, rivers, severe inclines and valleys, fences. By the way, it was fun to have the objective of getting from "A" to "B" and intentionally having obstacles placed in the path of travel and find out how each Scout would plot their route. I'll keep searching to see if you have a video on the aforementioned. Thanks Again!
Thankyou for the vid. very informative. very professional. i often come back to these videos as reference and refresher as i am an urbanite who only gets out to a place where you cant hear the highway and the city lights are far enough away that you can actually see the night sky twice a year on average.
No wonder I get lost all the time.
Top notch video
What a simple, easy to understand and straight forward way to explain this. I learned this stuff decades ago in Scouts. A good refesher video. Orienteering really isn't hard but too many people try to show how smart they are when teaching this. They end up making it far more complicated then it really needs to be. K.I.S.S. Job well done Sir👍
Thank you
Thats some great information :)
Thanks a lot for sharing - Martin
Thanks for explaining this easily and straight to the point. Great vid.
Thank you, John! 👊🏼
You can also align the compass with the “MN” arrow on the bottom. Scouts were thought this way in the ‘60’s but adjusting for declination is all that is talked about these days.
Great explanation, same very high quality as your products! Thanks.
Nice one!!! well explained love your videos
GREAT video, thank you for posting
So do you just ignore true north once you’ve oriented your compass and map?
Thanks for the great video. How far away do you think an object needs to be before you really start losing accuracy when transfering a bearing you took in the field to plotting it on a map? Seems like once you get over a mile the accuracy would really suffer
You're the best 'splainer out there. You've taught me orienteering for my mounted SAR team. Can't thank you enough.
a trick : watch movies at flixzone. Been using it for watching all kinds of movies recently.
@Jaden Ace definitely, I have been using flixzone for months myself :)
@Jaden Ace Yea, I've been using flixzone for since november myself =)
Thank you, John. Great video. I just have a simple question. I am currently using a lensatic compass, Army issue, currently stationed in Alaska with 1-5 IN. Could you go over a tutorial on how to orient the map with the lensatic compass? It is different than the one you are using, or maybe I am missing something. I love land nav and it comes quite natural to me, but I want to learn it more in depth. Thank you.
Very informative thank you
I'm a new subscriber and I wanted to Thank you for your hard work on making these wonderful videos. I really appreciate what your doing to help educate generations to come. Best wishes to you and yours.
Your videos are so crystal clear and helpful! Thank you!
I was wondering, does Bob Landers still do canoe trips from Hancock?
Thank you John. You are an amazingly thorough teacher.
am i correct in understanding that , once i make the adjustment for magnetic declination. i can shoot a bearing in the feild and transfer it to my map
2:45 - finding current declination for your location is easy.
Go to magnetic-declination.com, and click anywhere on the world map to show the correct definition for that area.
👍
Ash from Scotland 🏴
Great video and very helpful ..... Thanks!
I was having issues remembering when to add and subtract for magnetic declination. The method you show to use is very easy to remember. Thanks! Another great video.
Thanks that is straight forward and simple.
I probably am about toask one of the stupidest questions but i have too. If i have a topo map of maine but im in coonecticut. Can i still put the lines in for magnetic declination on my maine map. And if yes how far apart are the lines from each other. Thank you for your quick response very respectfully Philip Maldonado.
You can put the lines on your map anytime, anywhere. As long as you use the correct declination. Sometimes the declination on the map has changed so you should check that first. You can use this link on our site: www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomag-web/ The width of the lines is up to you. I use the width of my long riler which is about 1.25" wide. But whatever you have will work. Hope this helps.
Thank you for your explanation.
yes excellent. i tried to tell a guy on youtube how to do just that without changing the compass he didn't think that'd work lol
Hi John, where did you pick up your wrist compass?. ...If you don't mind me asking. Thanks : ) Tyler
+Tyler Murphy It is an Suunto M9. We sell them at Survival Resources. I did the paracord bracelet for it.
+survivalresources Thank you. : ) Tyler
the man sir!
Great info sir
excellent Video
THANK YOU!!!