@@summitsparrow I use a camping mirror compass like that when I hike Big Bend Texas. But, it has a potential problem. It is a fluid filled compass. So I keep a Army compass in my backpack. It’s indestructible. As a back up.
The pace of this video was perfect. Most other videos assume you know more than you do and progress rather quickly to the next segment. Your detailed explanations and real life scenarios are wonderful. I'm now trying my hand at learning about a lensatic compass as well as using UTM grid. I find this stuff fascinating. The world is my oyster, even at age 65.
Hi Rick, glad I could help! I hope to make more tutorial style videos in the future - they just take a bit more planning and time than my typical mountain vids - and I do a lot of fact-checking and research to make sure I'm not putting out inaccurate info on the internet. Take care and happy trails!
Should be called how to identity POIs using map and compass with 20 min of ADs. And as you Drove a days+ walk to a known location, how could you be sure you were observing the right peak? Nothing on determining your location with POIs or plotting a route. In a map and compass situation where the luxury of a road sign, speedy no fatigue travel, multiple tape measures ,and known position I fail to see where this isn't reliant on multiple forms of technology you otherwise wouldn't have. You have a map or you have Google at home, choose and observe your poi from there, find your location or starting location and plot heading and figure out location along route to check for drift since routes are rarely in straight line. I guess what I'm saying, is you wouldn't even be able to determine the location of a poi if you didn't know your position anyways. And that lil smoky peak you can barely see holds less interest observing it that way and with 2 drives than looking at all the info the map gives you and a lil research. These are just unlikely scenarios for these tools. Like let me hike 4 hours to a known spot to try to identify a poi I saw 4 hours back. Infos missing make it make sense.
wrong use of the term longwinded. the point of the video was to be in depth, not a 5min video leaving out a bunch of crucial info like most others online. i personally appreciated the depth and explanation, as well as the real life examples.
This video took me from zero understanding or knowledge in navigating to a real use. How you do not have more hits is a injustice to anyone who really wants to learn and have some practical usability. Thank you for making this video!
This is by far the best video on compass and map navigation I have seen - period. Thank you! I've been doing this kind of navigation since I was a kid, but even so, you highlighted some points here that I'd pretty much glossed over and probably didn't fully understand. I really appreciated how you took the time to explain every point slowly, clearly, and without any trace of condescension. That is precisely as it should be, because we all know that the navigation decision we make while planing and while in the field can easily make the difference between a successful trip and a really bad day. So what you've done here is provide a truly valuable public service, cheers!
I learned basic map and compass skills when getting my Eagle Scout badge in the 1960s. I took an Arc/GIS course a couple of years ago. I've hiked and backpacked all my life. This video brought so many components together in a very clear manner. Thank you.
Great, INTERESTING, vid bro,,,excellent teaching method,,,being a lifelong hunter, and fisherman, I found it useful,,,and the analogy, of why I PREFER, a compass, and map, OVER, a gps,,,,is the same, as,,,,why I carry a revolver, instead of the popular semiautomatic, pistols,,,,,simple,,,,,,in a life, and death situation, where I NEED my weapon to perform, to save my life,,,A REVOLVER, WILL NEVER JAM,,,,period,,,,ultra COOL, AND USEFUL, interesting vid,,,your instructive technique is impeccable,,,thanks so much for posting!!!😎
I have seen nothing more valuable on RUclips than this video / this channel. Long ago I had to take surveying for engineering but never once used it. I enjoyed it and it seemed to be peaceful. So I started to try and teach myself exactly how to navigate. This video was outstanding! If your not a teacher you should consider it. I look forward to watching the rest of your videos. Amazing work!
Thanks for the kind words! I wanted to be a teacher when I was younger, but it just wasn't in the cards for me. I wish you the best and happy trails to you!
Outstanding video! You did an exceptional job explaining everything and your thorough understanding of the material is apparent and refreshing. Thank you!!
Hi Joey!!! Thanks for your prompt reply. First of all I really do appreciate the creation of your last video (even if it was very long). Your last video really made me understand in detail how to use an adjustable declination compass. Your video is really the best that I've watched on RUclips. As I had said before, all the books that I had read on using compasses do not give a really me a good understanding of the subject. Yes Land navigation is indeed and art and skill for those who master it. Maybe I'm a slow learner, but nothing beats a clear demo video/training video session like you did. If you do intend to make follow up video on the use of a non adjustable declination compass, you can make a short one based on the same map and same route(from Indian Rock to Summit Rock). This is only a suggestion from me(to simplify things based on the last video that you created) and I will be extremely grateful!!! Your intention to make a video on advanced land navigation techniques will also be helpful and welcoming to novices like me. Well thanks for your prompt reply again and hope to hear from you again! Thanks a million buddy!!!!
Thanks, I'm glad you liked it! I'm going to be silent on the exact bearing number in the comments in case others want to tackle the problem as well, but I will say the bad guys are now toast. Take care and happy trails!
Fantastic video on using a Suunto compass with adjustable declination. No amount of reading would make a novice understand the proper use of a compass for navigation(for both adjustable and non-adjustable declination). I really appreciate the effort that you had put in to making this video. Your video is probably the best on this subject. Joey, can you create a video for a Suunto compass model with no adjustable declination? I had trouble understanding books on the use of non-adjustable declination compasses. I have both adjustable and non-adjustable compasses. I would like to learn the proper use both types. Thanks a million again friend!!!!!!
Hi Reezwan, glad you liked it! I do plan to make a part two at some point in more of a real-life mountaineering situation and include some more advanced techniques, such as triangulation. Regarding the declination adjustment - what I need to emphasize is that you can actually use the compass with no declination adjustment at all. But in that case, what you will need to do is manually add/subtract the appropriate declination amount from your bearings. This is actually a technique that you should be aware of in any case, even if you plan on adjusting the declination yourself - because it tests your understanding of the logic of how the instrument works. You just have to remember to do simple math on every bearing you take, which just adds a manual step to the process and complicates it a little bit. There is a lot I could cover on the navigation topic, but this video was already extremely long, so I appreciate your feedback!
@@summitsparrow I watched one vid where the guy (seemed to be very knowledgable) did this to make the declination very easy to handle: he used a high quality metal yardstick to re-draw meridian lines on his map, with the yardstick lined up first with the provided magnetic north line (below map), then of course making parallel meridians using the yardstick. He obviously realized that declination angle can change, but for the lay-person, this method could work very well. Then he would line up the meridian lines in the bezel with his re-drawn meridians (basically not using the provided, standard N-S meridians). So obviously he 'corrected' the map, did not tweak his compass. He didn't claim it was the 'best' method, just one he found easy to implement, worked well for him.
My friend, I am military and know land navigation well. I came here because i have never used a base plate, only my military lensatic. I bought the Silva ranger 2. The detail you have in this video is absolutely applaudable. Being precise and very accurate. Thank you.
Thank you Joey, I appreciated so much for your great effort on making this video. Absolutely this is the BEST EVER video for beginners on using compass and performing map navigation.
May I ask how Suunto Compasses became so popular in the US? Most of US videos I see use the Suunto Compass you have. I saw Brunton compasses and they seem very good, even better than Silva or Suunto Compasses. They don't distributed here but If they would, I would buy that instead of Suunto or Silva
I haven't used Brunton before. Looking online in Amazon, it looks like a basic baseplate compass that will get the job done. One difference I can see with TruArc5 is that they don't have adjustable declination, so you have to manually add / subtract your declination number.
Instead of bringing a tape measure why not just use your compass string, and then put that length of string against the map scale? It works pretty good.
This video is AWESOME. In my opinion it is the best one on this subject. Since I am a beginner and older. I will need to watch it more than once. I cannot thank you enough Joey for such a thoughtfully laid out and presented video. I live in the Deep South where there are not any land forms like mountain peaks and such to help you keep your bearings. Just thick pine forests, river basins, and underbrush.
Always a pleasure, glad I could help! I've never been to the south before, but even without landforms you can still use compass by locking onto a landmark, like a building for instance. But you bring up a good point, which is how do you navigate though forests with no visible landmarks. I'll try and address that in part 2. I really want to go more into the "bumpline method" which I use most of the time. Take care and happy trails to you!
U learn something new every day . I had no clue that type of compass was so unique . I'm gonna definitely get this type and master it ,with the help from this channel , thanks for the lesson in this type compass. Great content . Great job explaining how to.. Many content creators wouldn't explain this in such depth
Please watch the video again more closely. This was covered in the declination adjustment section and throughout the video thoroughly. Thank you for your comment!
The declination number printed on the map from 2013 will float westward about 6 minutes a year. It says this on the map. I chose to use 13 degrees East from www.magnetic-declination.com (retrieved January 2022, when I filmed the video). Either way you figure it, you're going to end up with about 13 degrees East, which is the number I set my declination to in the video. I checked the declination today, and it's still 13 degrees East in January 2024.
NatGeo maps are the best quality (what I used in the video). Go to: www.natgeomaps.com You can also find them on Amazon and at REI. For sections not covered by NatGeo maps, you will need to use an alternate source. Consider USGS for reference, although they are not practical for taking with you hiking on the trail: store.usgs.gov/map-locator
LOL you mean my shirt? I have like 50 of those white long sleeves. It's the most comfortable thing on the planet! Also can please try and refrain from the swear words? I'm trying to keep the channel family friendly.
I would like to know after I set the declination on my Suunto compass, do I no longer change it whether I take the position on the map or on the compass?
The only time you need to change your declination adjustment is when you take and plot bearings in a new location. The declination adjustment is really just moving the "box" over to compensate for whatever angle the difference is between true north and magnetic north on your map.
MC-2 G. G is for "Global." Some compasses are weighted for either the northern or the southern hemisphere - they will say "NH" or "SH" in the product description. Also there is metric and US measurement versions on the bezel.
I bought 2 compasses. The MC-2 - NH and the A-10. The A-10 bezel glides beautifully smooth when turned with enough resistance to keep its bearing steady without moving when carrying. The MC-2 bezel however is extremely stiff and rough to rotate. To set it at a bearing the force to turn it actually makes it skip instead of glide to position. I’ve rotated the bezel endlessly in both directions hoping the rough friction smoothes but it doesn’t. The tolerance gap between the base and the rotating bezel is way too tight. I’m very dissapointed in the MC-2. It is usable, but the frustration of its stiffness makes it worthless to me. The A-10 however is a joy to use at 1/3 the cost.
Joe, on a declination ,,,, say 5 degrees west....... the compass dial is turned counterclockwise or clockwise,??????? i have seed info on BOTH, someone is confused? turning a heading of 350 degrees with 5 degree west declination 345 degrees. ... but some say its 355 degrees????????????????? looks like west subtracts and east adds,,,,,,BUT!! they confuse that issue as well? thoughts ? ty.
A declination adjustment is described as either West or East from zero degrees, or dead center. West is to turn the "box" (not the bezel) counterclockwise, or negative. East is to turn the box clockwise, or positive. It makes sense to think of it like a clock - clockwise is forwards in time, counterclockwise is backwards. You would describe the adjustment as negative 5 degrees, or 5 degrees West. 355 degrees East wouldn't technically be wrong, but it would be an awkward way of describing the adjustment and I wouldn't recommend thinking of it that way.
@@summitsparrowoops, my question was incomplete. I meant to say using Google maps. Am i able to find the degree using Google maps. I tried but couldn't find it
No you can find the location on Google Maps but not the bearing. To find the bearing you will need a compass. If you want to take the true test then you go there to Mount Tam in person without a map and prior knowledge of the bearing and then you shoot a bearing with a calibrated compass and plot that bearing on the map when you get home. You might be asking why do I need to know the number if I can see the landmark? I'll go over that in the into sequence to the sequel, which is currently in production. @@l3loodyfingers
Wow! I just been given a compass and was watching short videos to get an idea but also watched this one, amazing explanation of compasses, maps and map makers problems, already knew that different maps have differences in how they interpret the globe but it's amazing how mankind has worked out methods to kind of log it but so the reader can understand the differences, i dont have that thingy adjustment that was 13° but I won't be using compass for that precise measuring I hope, anyway great video, and good editing showing point of view through the window etc and drive by shots on the way to destination etc 👍
Thanks! I'm glad I could help! I'm working on a part two right now ("Navigation - Advanced Concepts"). It's got more on-location filming in the wild so it's taking some time to film, edit, and create. I'm hoping to have it done by summer of next year. Happy trails to you!
@@summitsparrow It's not ads per se that were the issue, it was the volume. Ads every 2 minutes is categorically absurd. I've never seen a video have so many.
Thanks, very helpful. I suppose the next video will be application. How do you get from your start point to your POI in the distance. A bearing is great if one can fly or walking across a landscape like the salt flats. How do you make adjustments en route for landscape features like cliffs, valleys or rivers that you have to go around? Especially when you loose sight of your POI.
Wow superb video! I'm going to have to watch it a few times and field work to get comfortable ,not complacent. Thank you for your efforts attention to detail and laymans terminology explanations. Skinner
This was once part of required geography class. I learned this in 7th grade. By the time we reached 12th grade we were sent to the mountains and told to trail hike. No tech but maps, and compass. We used landmarks and wrote them on the map. Wish they taught this in schools again.
Great work on the video and thank you for creating. However, I note that when you go from grid to magnetic you subtracted your declination but when you went from magnetic back to your grid, you did not add your declination angle to your compass bearing. So in your pine mountain bearing of 231 deg from the compass, should you have added your declination when you identify it back on your map?
Thanks for the comment and feedback! There are essentially two way to handle the declination adjustment between grid and magnetic. The first way is to actually adjust the declination on the compass itself, as I did in the video. This is the simplest way if you ask me. The other way is to manually add or subtract the adjustment from a zero degree declination adjustment (in other words not touching your declination adjustment at all on your compass). With all the adding and subtracting, it gets to be pretty complicated, especially when you actually have to reconcile grid north to true north, as another viewer pointed out. I checked all of my numbers at least 10 times so I'm pretty sure they're all right. I will go more into detail about these reconciliations in a Part 2 video, but I wanted to keep things as simple as this is supposed to be a basics video and there is a lot to talk about in navigation. Thanks again and take care!
I believe you referred to Grid North as True North. Remember, True North is the North Pole and the North Star. Grid North is the north associated with most Topo maps projection; the grid plane.
thanks for the great video; do you mind recommending what you think is the best basic compass? Is it really valuable to have one with a mirror? What model Suunto did you use in this video?
Get the Suunto MC-2G - that's the one I use in the video. Don't buy a compass without a mirror - it will get cracked in your pack. Don't buy a cheap compass either. There are many other types of compasses as well, but of all the ones I've used, the MC-2G is the best.
The first bit with the bag… a common problem! Over the year I find contorting maps to fit them in a bag ends makes them break faster. An alternative I would suggest is, if you have this available, print out the section you need and laminate. That way you have one flat piece of map to deal with it’s so much easier. Or cut up your map 😬 (never!) OS maps are available online and it’s so handy… who ever needs a whole OS map? 😉
Great Video, Joey. Definitely learned a ton from it. Do you recommend the MC-2 or the M-3 to be in a shell case, maybe while in a pack? I have both, just got them. I noticed you stressed moving the declination screw very slowly. Was that to not strip the gear where the little tiny sprocket turns it? I may be worried needlessly, but I feel I have to baby the two instruments. Thanks, again. I am a Amateur Radio Prepper and needed to perfect navigation skills, and this helps. Jeff W Waldrop de N1JWW
Hi Jeff, thanks! On the compass, I'd recommend the MC-2 because it has the mirror that really functions to protect the bezel, but also helps to perform precise bearings. It makes a really satisfying clicking sound when you close it as well. The M-3 has the advantage of being smaller and lighter, but lacks a mirror. In my personal experience, I have broken mirrorless compasses on accident while on trips, which effectively makes them useless. That's why I stress the importance of the mirror. Simply to protect the bezel. On changing the declination, I suggest going slowly because, for me, the markings are so tiny I have a hard time reading them so I have to do one tickmark at a time. My eyes can only focus on one thing at a time. You can just as easily move in increments of 5 or 10 because they are marked, if you feel comfortable doing that. I just really prefer doing everything as slow as possible in general. A lot of the time when we make mistakes in life it's because we're going too fast. Take care and happy trails!
Finally finished the whole thing! Definitely very detailed and loved the up close shots of the map and compass. I do appreciate the perfect and methodical diction, but I did have to kick it up to 1.25x speed. 😉👍
Great video, and very informative thus far. Im currently @ 32:40, not sure if its covered later in the video. If it is, please disregard. Im a bit confused. Lets say on your way to summit rock you hit the bottom of the valley and theres some sort of blockage, deep water for ex. At that point you can no longer continue on a straight path and will have to find a way to get to the other side. How do you find your way back to your route once you get to the other side, assuming you cant see the peak due to tree coverage.
It's an excellent question. I plan on covering this in the sequel - "Navigation - Advanced Concepts." Basically you're describing a very common situation where you can't continue in a straight line because of obstacles along your line of sight/direction of travel. There are a few ways to approach this problem. With a river, what you would want to do typically is to walk up/downriver until you find a log you can cross. Then you retrace your steps on the other side and continue along your way. To find your position along your line of sight you can do a few things. You can find a landmark along your line of sight/direction of travel and then just continue along, or you can compensate by either counting steps or time traveled if you can't distinguish your line of sight from the surrounding terrain. There are other methods for circumnavigating obstacles such as the "right angle method" which I see taught in books but don't see a practical application for. I'll cover all these in the next video, which I'm in process of filming at the moment.
awesome, thank you so much. Im an hour into the video and will probably rewatch it again. I feel like im missing some important bits and pieces. tiktok and instagram have programmed our brains for short bursts of attention hahahh@@summitsparrow
Best teaching method I've seen concerning map and compass 🧭 navigation to date (and I've seen plenty )u r a natural at it - just keep doing what u r doing.much respect!
I have been a technical instructor for over 45 years. This is the best instructional video I have ever seen! Simply inspirational.
Glad I could help! Take care and happy trails!
@@summitsparrow I use a camping mirror compass like that when I hike Big Bend Texas. But, it has a potential problem. It is a fluid filled compass. So I keep a Army compass in my backpack. It’s indestructible. As a back up.
Is that a lensatic?@@richardfroste4548
@@summitsparrow Yes
The pace of this video was perfect. Most other videos assume you know more than you do and progress rather quickly to the next segment. Your detailed explanations and real life scenarios are wonderful. I'm now trying my hand at learning about a lensatic compass as well as using UTM grid. I find this stuff fascinating. The world is my oyster, even at age 65.
Hi Rick, glad I could help! I hope to make more tutorial style videos in the future - they just take a bit more planning and time than my typical mountain vids - and I do a lot of fact-checking and research to make sure I'm not putting out inaccurate info on the internet. Take care and happy trails!
Agreed. I'm a big dumb dumb looking into all this. So many videos gloss over basic details. 🎉
My man logging bearings like a submarine captain
19:50 My man makes the best video on compass use out there, but does not know what an add blocker is
Should be called how to identity POIs using map and compass with 20 min of ADs. And as you Drove a days+ walk to a known location, how could you be sure you were observing the right peak? Nothing on determining your location with POIs or plotting a route. In a map and compass situation where the luxury of a road sign, speedy no fatigue travel, multiple tape measures ,and known position I fail to see where this isn't reliant on multiple forms of technology you otherwise wouldn't have. You have a map or you have Google at home, choose and observe your poi from there, find your location or starting location and plot heading and figure out location along route to check for drift since routes are rarely in straight line. I guess what I'm saying, is you wouldn't even be able to determine the location of a poi if you didn't know your position anyways. And that lil smoky peak you can barely see holds less interest observing it that way and with 2 drives than looking at all the info the map gives you and a lil research. These are just unlikely scenarios for these tools. Like let me hike 4 hours to a known spot to try to identify a poi I saw 4 hours back. Infos missing make it make sense.
Thank you for your feedback! Happy trails!
Long winded, but i got to admit I’ve actually learned something, thank you
wrong use of the term longwinded. the point of the video was to be in depth, not a 5min video leaving out a bunch of crucial info like most others online. i personally appreciated the depth and explanation, as well as the real life examples.
You can tell that this guy really enjoys grinding out the details of whatever he does. Very thorough job. Thanks.
Thanks! Happy trails to you!
This video took me from zero understanding or knowledge in navigating to a real use. How you do not have more hits is a injustice to anyone who really wants to learn and have some practical usability. Thank you for making this video!
Glad I could help! Thanks!
This is by far the best video on compass and map navigation I have seen - period. Thank you! I've been doing this kind of navigation since I was a kid, but even so, you highlighted some points here that I'd pretty much glossed over and probably didn't fully understand. I really appreciated how you took the time to explain every point slowly, clearly, and without any trace of condescension. That is precisely as it should be, because we all know that the navigation decision we make while planing and while in the field can easily make the difference between a successful trip and a really bad day. So what you've done here is provide a truly valuable public service, cheers!
Thanks! That means a lot to me and I really appreciate the kind words! Take care!
Simply brilliant! Thank you for an excellent video, mate! Cheers!!
Fantastic video on using a Suunto compass with adjustable declination.
My brain hurts.....your very intelligent. Thank you.
Glad I could help! Thanks!
I learned basic map and compass skills when getting my Eagle Scout badge in the 1960s. I took an Arc/GIS course a couple of years ago. I've hiked and backpacked all my life. This video brought so many components together in a very clear manner. Thank you.
Glad I could help! Hope you keep exploring and happy trails to you!
Great, INTERESTING, vid bro,,,excellent teaching method,,,being a lifelong hunter, and fisherman, I found it useful,,,and the analogy, of why I PREFER, a compass, and map, OVER, a gps,,,,is the same, as,,,,why I carry a revolver, instead of the popular semiautomatic, pistols,,,,,simple,,,,,,in a life, and death situation, where I NEED my weapon to perform, to save my life,,,A REVOLVER, WILL NEVER JAM,,,,period,,,,ultra COOL, AND USEFUL, interesting vid,,,your instructive technique is impeccable,,,thanks so much for posting!!!😎
Glad you liked it and found it useful! Much luck to you on your adventures!
See you out there!!😎@@summitsparrow
Wow! Absolutely the best explanation on this subject for a beginner I've found.thank you so much. Awesome job!!!
Glad I could help! Have fun exploring and take care!
Fantastic information, lot of work went into this
I have seen nothing more valuable on RUclips than this video / this channel. Long ago I had to take surveying for engineering but never once used it. I enjoyed it and it seemed to be peaceful. So I started to try and teach myself exactly how to navigate. This video was outstanding! If your not a teacher you should consider it. I look forward to watching the rest of your videos. Amazing work!
Thanks for the kind words! I wanted to be a teacher when I was younger, but it just wasn't in the cards for me. I wish you the best and happy trails to you!
Outstanding video! You did an exceptional job explaining everything and your thorough understanding of the material is apparent and refreshing. Thank you!!
Thank you Giles! I'm glad you enjoyed!
Hi Joey!!! Thanks for your prompt reply. First of all I really do appreciate the creation of your last video (even if it was very long). Your last video really made me understand in detail how to use an adjustable declination compass. Your video is really the best that I've watched on RUclips. As I had said before, all the books that I had read on using compasses do not give a really me a good understanding of the subject. Yes Land navigation is indeed and art and skill for those who master it. Maybe I'm a slow learner, but nothing beats a clear demo video/training video session like you did. If you do intend to make follow up video on the use of a non adjustable declination compass, you can make a short one based on the same map and same route(from Indian Rock to Summit Rock). This is only a suggestion from me(to simplify things based on the last video that you created) and I will be extremely grateful!!! Your intention to make a video on advanced land navigation techniques will also be helpful and welcoming to novices like me. Well thanks for your prompt reply again and hope to hear from you again! Thanks a million buddy!!!!
No problem! Take care Reezwan! Thanks for the feedback!
One of the best videos to explain the compass and globe. Thank you very much.
Glad it helped! Take care and happy trails!
Not bad for a long video its takes some people over 6 hours to figure it out 😂😂😂 its pretty easy tbh
I would like to know what Suunto compass model you’re using for this video please.
The answer is, 146* bearing. Great video, I enjoyed it.
"Map bag".... Pulls out Ziploc bag.
Genius. 😂
Phenomenal work producing this video! I’m estimating about 125 degrees from Mt Tam to Alcatraz
Thanks, I'm glad you liked it! I'm going to be silent on the exact bearing number in the comments in case others want to tackle the problem as well, but I will say the bad guys are now toast. Take care and happy trails!
I can't tell you the answer at the end because I have a nuke. I will not be firing droping aiming looking cross eyed at any target.
This dude loves saying Map and Mechinism but he does know his stuff 👍
Fantastic video on using a Suunto compass with adjustable declination. No amount of reading would make a novice understand the proper use of a compass for navigation(for both adjustable and non-adjustable declination). I really appreciate the effort that you had put in to making this video. Your video is probably the best on this subject. Joey, can you create a video for a Suunto compass model with no adjustable declination? I had trouble understanding books on the use of non-adjustable declination compasses. I have both adjustable and non-adjustable compasses. I would like to learn the proper use both types. Thanks a million again friend!!!!!!
Hi Reezwan, glad you liked it! I do plan to make a part two at some point in more of a real-life mountaineering situation and include some more advanced techniques, such as triangulation.
Regarding the declination adjustment - what I need to emphasize is that you can actually use the compass with no declination adjustment at all. But in that case, what you will need to do is manually add/subtract the appropriate declination amount from your bearings. This is actually a technique that you should be aware of in any case, even if you plan on adjusting the declination yourself - because it tests your understanding of the logic of how the instrument works. You just have to remember to do simple math on every bearing you take, which just adds a manual step to the process and complicates it a little bit. There is a lot I could cover on the navigation topic, but this video was already extremely long, so I appreciate your feedback!
@@summitsparrow I watched one vid where the guy (seemed to be very knowledgable) did this to make the declination very easy to handle: he used a high quality metal yardstick to re-draw meridian lines on his map, with the yardstick lined up first with the provided magnetic north line (below map), then of course making parallel meridians using the yardstick. He obviously realized that declination angle can change, but for the lay-person, this method could work very well. Then he would line up the meridian lines in the bezel with his re-drawn meridians (basically not using the provided, standard N-S meridians). So obviously he 'corrected' the map, did not tweak his compass. He didn't claim it was the 'best' method, just one he found easy to implement, worked well for him.
@@monkeyb1820 That's a very creative solution! Thanks for your input!
WHAT PPL LACK IS KNOWING & LEARNING THE IMPORTANCE OF BIENG ABLE TO STOP GETTING LOST 🤣 COMPASS ARE A BACKPACK ESSENTIAL 🤔
Great video tutorial. Many thanks for putting this together. I'm sure it took a lot of work but it's very well done. Thanks for your efforts!
You're welcome, hope I can help!
Excellent presentation.easy to absorb and understand. A thankyou from a Yorkshirman in Queensland gold prospecting.
Thanks and good luck to you on your prospecting!
My friend, I am military and know land navigation well. I came here because i have never used a base plate, only my military lensatic. I bought the Silva ranger 2. The detail you have in this video is absolutely applaudable. Being precise and very accurate. Thank you.
Thank you for your service! My pleasure!
Jumping around so much. I appreciate the knowledge , but stay on subject. 27 minutes in and.....sorry.
You're welcome to your opinion. Good luck to you!
Thank you Joey, I appreciated so much for your great effort on making this video.
Absolutely this is the BEST EVER video for beginners on using compass and performing map navigation.
I'm glad I could help! Happy trails to you!
I ended up getting 325 degrees from google maps
May I ask how Suunto Compasses became so popular in the US? Most of US videos I see use the Suunto Compass you have. I saw Brunton compasses and they seem very good, even better than Silva or Suunto Compasses. They don't distributed here but If they would, I would buy that instead of Suunto or Silva
I haven't used Brunton before. Looking online in Amazon, it looks like a basic baseplate compass that will get the job done. One difference I can see with TruArc5 is that they don't have adjustable declination, so you have to manually add / subtract your declination number.
An ex forces map case with a clear panel and neck cord is an asset
Instead of bringing a tape measure why not just use your compass string, and then put that length of string against the map scale? It works pretty good.
That will certainly work! I find the wind and everything makes it difficult to stick, but do what works for you! Take care!
Brilliant, really well done. Thanks
Excellent tutorial. Thank you!
This video is AWESOME. In my opinion it is the best one on this subject. Since I am a beginner and older. I will need to watch it more than once. I cannot thank you enough Joey for such a thoughtfully laid out and presented video. I live in the Deep South where there are not any land forms like mountain peaks and such to help you keep your bearings. Just thick pine forests, river basins, and underbrush.
Always a pleasure, glad I could help! I've never been to the south before, but even without landforms you can still use compass by locking onto a landmark, like a building for instance. But you bring up a good point, which is how do you navigate though forests with no visible landmarks. I'll try and address that in part 2. I really want to go more into the "bumpline method" which I use most of the time. Take care and happy trails to you!
U learn something new every day . I had no clue that type of compass was so unique . I'm gonna definitely get this type and master it ,with the help from this channel , thanks for the lesson in this type compass. Great content . Great job explaining how to.. Many content creators wouldn't explain this in such depth
Hi Adam, thanks for the kind words! I'm glad I could help. Keep exploring and have fun out there!
Thanks for all your work and taking the time to make a video for us to learn from. You are a Shredder. Cheers!
I'm glad I can assist you in your adventures! Happy trails to you!
Nice! But to be very precise you need to convert magnetic North to true N
Please watch the video again more closely. This was covered in the declination adjustment section and throughout the video thoroughly. Thank you for your comment!
Why did you set your magnetic declination to the one on the map set for 2013?
The declination number printed on the map from 2013 will float westward about 6 minutes a year. It says this on the map. I chose to use 13 degrees East from www.magnetic-declination.com (retrieved January 2022, when I filmed the video). Either way you figure it, you're going to end up with about 13 degrees East, which is the number I set my declination to in the video. I checked the declination today, and it's still 13 degrees East in January 2024.
A “Military Protractor” will make your plotting on the map much quicker. With less steps. Infantry 101. But, this is a GREAT video.
Thank you for such a clear and informative video. I learned so much. Job very well done!
Glad you liked! Take care!
Excellent detailed presentation and clear easy to see video work. Great job, best I've seen on YT.
Glad you liked it! Take care Richard!
Top drawer👌
Thank you for all your help. Great video.
Glad it was helpful! Thank you!
Can you direct me to a resource where one can purchase the type of topographic maps that you have? I live in Northern California.
NatGeo maps are the best quality (what I used in the video). Go to:
www.natgeomaps.com
You can also find them on Amazon and at REI.
For sections not covered by NatGeo maps, you will need to use an alternate source. Consider USGS for reference, although they are not practical for taking with you hiking on the trail:
store.usgs.gov/map-locator
@@summitsparrow Thanks for the link.
Dude why are there seven buttons on your henley? That is insane!
LOL you mean my shirt? I have like 50 of those white long sleeves. It's the most comfortable thing on the planet!
Also can please try and refrain from the swear words? I'm trying to keep the channel family friendly.
Dude, I thought you were about to jump off that thing!
I packed a wingsuit just in case.
Excellent, thank you. Best regards from The Netherlands.
I would like to know after I set the declination on my Suunto compass, do I no longer change it whether I take the position on the map or on the compass?
The only time you need to change your declination adjustment is when you take and plot bearings in a new location. The declination adjustment is really just moving the "box" over to compensate for whatever angle the difference is between true north and magnetic north on your map.
@@summitsparrow thank you for your help
thanks!
Great detail. Thx!
SUPER
The earth is demonstrably level and stationary, not a wobbly spaceball in a vacuum.
Great tutorial. Would like to buy the exact compass in your video. There are more than one different mc-2. Which one is this one?
MC-2 G. G is for "Global." Some compasses are weighted for either the northern or the southern hemisphere - they will say "NH" or "SH" in the product description. Also there is metric and US measurement versions on the bezel.
I bought 2 compasses. The MC-2 - NH and the A-10. The A-10 bezel glides beautifully smooth when turned with enough resistance to keep its bearing steady without moving when carrying. The MC-2 bezel however is extremely stiff and rough to rotate. To set it at a bearing the force to turn it actually makes it skip instead of glide to position. I’ve rotated the bezel endlessly in both directions hoping the rough friction smoothes but it doesn’t. The tolerance gap between the base and the rotating bezel is way too tight. I’m very dissapointed in the MC-2. It is usable, but the frustration of its stiffness makes it worthless to me. The A-10 however is a joy to use at 1/3 the cost.
I'll have to pick one up! @@johnrosas2606
Joe, on a declination ,,,, say 5 degrees west....... the compass dial is turned counterclockwise or clockwise,??????? i have seed info on BOTH, someone is confused? turning a heading of 350 degrees with 5 degree west declination 345 degrees. ... but some say its 355 degrees????????????????? looks like west subtracts and east adds,,,,,,BUT!! they confuse that issue as well? thoughts ? ty.
A declination adjustment is described as either West or East from zero degrees, or dead center. West is to turn the "box" (not the bezel) counterclockwise, or negative. East is to turn the box clockwise, or positive. It makes sense to think of it like a clock - clockwise is forwards in time, counterclockwise is backwards. You would describe the adjustment as negative 5 degrees, or 5 degrees West. 355 degrees East wouldn't technically be wrong, but it would be an awkward way of describing the adjustment and I wouldn't recommend thinking of it that way.
Am i able to find the degrees for alcatraz from Mount Tam east peak? Or was i suppose to look at the compass on your video?
I'll go over the Alcatraz problem and the answer in the sequel - coming soon!
@@summitsparrowoops, my question was incomplete. I meant to say using Google maps. Am i able to find the degree using Google maps. I tried but couldn't find it
No you can find the location on Google Maps but not the bearing. To find the bearing you will need a compass. If you want to take the true test then you go there to Mount Tam in person without a map and prior knowledge of the bearing and then you shoot a bearing with a calibrated compass and plot that bearing on the map when you get home. You might be asking why do I need to know the number if I can see the landmark? I'll go over that in the into sequence to the sequel, which is currently in production. @@l3loodyfingers
Very thorough! Great video!
Thank you! Take care!!
Wow! I just been given a compass and was watching short videos to get an idea but also watched this one, amazing explanation of compasses, maps and map makers problems, already knew that different maps have differences in how they interpret the globe but it's amazing how mankind has worked out methods to kind of log it but so the reader can understand the differences, i dont have that thingy adjustment that was 13° but I won't be using compass for that precise measuring I hope, anyway great video, and good editing showing point of view through the window etc and drive by shots on the way to destination etc 👍
Thanks! I'm glad I could help! I'm working on a part two right now ("Navigation - Advanced Concepts"). It's got more on-location filming in the wild so it's taking some time to film, edit, and create. I'm hoping to have it done by summer of next year. Happy trails to you!
Very very helpful video for anyone who wants to learn how to use map and compass.
What a great refresher! Thanks!
No prob!
And you just proved the Earth is a ball by land survey.
❤ very informative, 🙏
Thank you!
I first learned how to use a map and compass because I kept getting lost those darn walking guides! It’s a skill that really opens up your world
Had to stop watching. Ads every 2 minutes is a little extreme.
Try Premium.
@@summitsparrow It's not ads per se that were the issue, it was the volume. Ads every 2 minutes is categorically absurd. I've never seen a video have so many.
@@davethibeault2484 ruclips.net/user/premium $13.99 a month for an individual plan or $22.99 for a family plan. Cancel anytime.
Thank you for this.
My pleasure! Best of luck on your adventures!
Thanks, very helpful. I suppose the next video will be application. How do you get from your start point to your POI in the distance. A bearing is great if one can fly or walking across a landscape like the salt flats. How do you make adjustments en route for landscape features like cliffs, valleys or rivers that you have to go around? Especially when you loose sight of your POI.
Thanks for the ideas! I'll keep 'em in mind for Part 2.
Wow superb video! I'm going to have to watch it a few times and field work to get comfortable ,not complacent. Thank you for your efforts attention to detail and laymans terminology explanations. Skinner
Glad I could help! Take care and happy trails to you!
This was once part of required geography class. I learned this in 7th grade. By the time we reached 12th grade we were sent to the mountains and told to trail hike. No tech but maps, and compass. We used landmarks and wrote them on the map.
Wish they taught this in schools again.
Thanks! Me too! Hope you enjoyed!
love the pace and detail
Thank you! Happy trails!
Great work on the video and thank you for creating. However, I note that when you go from grid to magnetic you subtracted your declination but when you went from magnetic back to your grid, you did not add your declination angle to your compass bearing. So in your pine mountain bearing of 231 deg from the compass, should you have added your declination when you identify it back on your map?
Thanks for the comment and feedback! There are essentially two way to handle the declination adjustment between grid and magnetic.
The first way is to actually adjust the declination on the compass itself, as I did in the video. This is the simplest way if you ask me. The other way is to manually add or subtract the adjustment from a zero degree declination adjustment (in other words not touching your declination adjustment at all on your compass). With all the adding and subtracting, it gets to be pretty complicated, especially when you actually have to reconcile grid north to true north, as another viewer pointed out. I checked all of my numbers at least 10 times so I'm pretty sure they're all right.
I will go more into detail about these reconciliations in a Part 2 video, but I wanted to keep things as simple as this is supposed to be a basics video and there is a lot to talk about in navigation.
Thanks again and take care!
devoted teaching....10 out of 10
Thank you!
I believe you referred to Grid North as True North. Remember, True North is the North Pole and the North Star. Grid North is the north associated with most Topo maps projection; the grid plane.
Please watch the video again more closely. Please refer to the section beginning at 1:20:25 where this is addressed.
thanks for the great video; do you mind recommending what you think is the best basic compass? Is it really valuable to have one with a mirror? What model Suunto did you use in this video?
Get the Suunto MC-2G - that's the one I use in the video. Don't buy a compass without a mirror - it will get cracked in your pack. Don't buy a cheap compass either. There are many other types of compasses as well, but of all the ones I've used, the MC-2G is the best.
Well done sir!
Thank you!
You can also use them to visit hot places! 😉
Perfect video pace, organised and systematic work. I am thankful, because I am a total amateur. This is a gem. Ty. Warm greetings from Greece.
Thanks Joanna, glad I could help! Happy trails to you!
The first bit with the bag… a common problem! Over the year I find contorting maps to fit them in a bag ends makes them break faster. An alternative I would suggest is, if you have this available, print out the section you need and laminate. That way you have one flat piece of map to deal with it’s so much easier. Or cut up your map 😬 (never!)
OS maps are available online and it’s so handy… who ever needs a whole OS map? 😉
That's a great idea! Thanks !
Great Video, Joey. Definitely learned a ton from it. Do you recommend the MC-2 or the M-3 to be in a shell case, maybe while in a pack? I have both, just got them. I noticed you stressed moving the declination screw very slowly. Was that to not strip the gear where the little tiny sprocket turns it? I may be worried needlessly, but I feel I have to baby the two instruments.
Thanks, again. I am a Amateur Radio Prepper and needed to perfect navigation skills, and this helps.
Jeff W Waldrop de N1JWW
Hi Jeff, thanks! On the compass, I'd recommend the MC-2 because it has the mirror that really functions to protect the bezel, but also helps to perform precise bearings. It makes a really satisfying clicking sound when you close it as well.
The M-3 has the advantage of being smaller and lighter, but lacks a mirror. In my personal experience, I have broken mirrorless compasses on accident while on trips, which effectively makes them useless. That's why I stress the importance of the mirror. Simply to protect the bezel.
On changing the declination, I suggest going slowly because, for me, the markings are so tiny I have a hard time reading them so I have to do one tickmark at a time. My eyes can only focus on one thing at a time. You can just as easily move in increments of 5 or 10 because they are marked, if you feel comfortable doing that. I just really prefer doing everything as slow as possible in general. A lot of the time when we make mistakes in life it's because we're going too fast.
Take care and happy trails!
I see you indicate the model here thank you im ok.
A very complete learning lesson!
Excellent explanation. This is the best tutorial on orienting oneself using a map and compass thus far. Thank you!
No problem! You're welcome and take care!
Thanks very much for this, Im just going to start hillwalking and climbing soon with some friends and was interested in learning this.
Glad I could help! Take care!
Thank you for going into the details . Its thought me so much. Thank you.
My pleasure - thanks for watching and take care!
A great map orienting class!!! Thank you!
Glad I could help! Happy trails!
Less than 2 mins in and I am hoping this helps me in some way. Also hoping I don't regret it.
Finally finished the whole thing! Definitely very detailed and loved the up close shots of the map and compass.
I do appreciate the perfect and methodical diction, but I did have to kick it up to 1.25x speed. 😉👍
Good job Sir
Great video, and very informative thus far.
Im currently @ 32:40, not sure if its covered later in the video. If it is, please disregard.
Im a bit confused. Lets say on your way to summit rock you hit the bottom of the valley and theres some sort of blockage, deep water for ex. At that point you can no longer continue on a straight path and will have to find a way to get to the other side. How do you find your way back to your route once you get to the other side, assuming you cant see the peak due to tree coverage.
It's an excellent question. I plan on covering this in the sequel - "Navigation - Advanced Concepts." Basically you're describing a very common situation where you can't continue in a straight line because of obstacles along your line of sight/direction of travel.
There are a few ways to approach this problem. With a river, what you would want to do typically is to walk up/downriver until you find a log you can cross. Then you retrace your steps on the other side and continue along your way. To find your position along your line of sight you can do a few things. You can find a landmark along your line of sight/direction of travel and then just continue along, or you can compensate by either counting steps or time traveled if you can't distinguish your line of sight from the surrounding terrain.
There are other methods for circumnavigating obstacles such as the "right angle method" which I see taught in books but don't see a practical application for. I'll cover all these in the next video, which I'm in process of filming at the moment.
awesome, thank you so much. Im an hour into the video and will probably rewatch it again. I feel like im missing some important bits and pieces.
tiktok and instagram have programmed our brains for short bursts of attention hahahh@@summitsparrow
Yeah I know it's a bit long - I'll try and keep the next one to under an hour. Thanks for watching and glad I could help!@@ForgedxFire
I love the clarity of your diction. Well done.
Glad I could help! Take care!
Spectacular video! Thanks!!
No problem! Thanks, take care!
¡Magnífico, simplemente magnífico! Un vídeo imprescindible
¡Gracias! ¡Caminos felices!
Thank you for this excellent presentation.
Glad you like!
Best video, thanks so much.
No prob, thanks!
This is an amazing video.
Thank you!
You're welcome, take care!
327?
I don't know how I thought that was right, actually. Definitely not the right answer, lol. Hold on... Approximately 129 degrees. Final answer.
Thank you very much. This is the best video addressing this topic.
Greetings from Brazil.
Glad you enjoyed! The Amazon rainforest is on my bucket list! Take care!
Best teaching method I've seen concerning map and compass 🧭 navigation to date (and I've seen plenty )u r a natural at it - just keep doing what u r doing.much respect!
Glad you liked it, happy to help! Take care!