If the contour interval is 10 meters, then what is the change in elevation of each intermediate contour . Your article very useful for me and it helps me understand more about compass. If you don't, visit the page just hyperlinked. Looking at the map is an easy way of finding which direction north or east are relative to your current position. 1. You can always orient your map with a working compass. The needle on your compass dial will always be pointing north, so when placing the compass on the map, the needle on the compass should match the map's north in order to orient yourself. Below, we offer a short, straight-talking guide to how its done. When moisture seeps into the lens case of your lensatic compass, it causes major problems. FM 3-25.26: Map Reading and Land Navigation. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, To use this method (a) Open the cover to a 90-degree angle to the base. Now its time to store your compass. Remember, maps are drafted with north at the top. Hand placement: Insert your thumb through the thumb loop and the index finger along the compass. Through his hiking, mountaineering, climbing and trail running adventures, Alex aims to inspire others to get outdoors. With the map in a horizontal position, take the straightedge on the left side of the compass and place it alongside the north-south grid line with the cover of the compass pointing toward the top . Open it up using the cloud-based editor and begin editing. Check to see if the north directional arrow is inline with the arrow/line of the compass. Using the approach described above, plot that bearing on the map. In this video below,the user walks through the elements of a USGI lensatic compass, and how to properly use one. Thats 130 degrees. The techniques employed when using the lensatic compass are as follows: a. Move the lens holder: Slightly push forward the lens holder. I guess the military needs the extra accuracy now and then say, for example, to precisely place artillery fire. You want to know how to use a lensatic compass? Last but not lease, lensatic compasses are prone to scratching. (2) Keep the compass aligned as directed above while . To use your lensatic compass to find the direction of your intended azimuth (which you probably got from your map, using your protractor): 1. Let's have a look at the sources that constantly give favorable points. 1. For instance, line up roads, mountains, water towersany terrain features that stand out enough to make orienting the map possible. Come on in and save lots of money! With the map level, place the compass . Some of the components' terms are used in the explanations below. Orient your map so that its lined up with magnetic north (see above). Now, hold the compass level and squarely in front of you. You can also use this website to get up to date declinations. 5. What are 2 ways to orient a map? "}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How do you do map orientation? The housing is marked with cardinal points, typically north, south, east, and west, which . and compass together is to orient the map towards north simply align the map merid, figure 10b while keeping compass edge on landmark pivot compass until magnetized needle is centered within orienting arrow plot bearing on map by drawing line from landmark using the edge of the compass figure 10c 1 how a compass works your compass is a . Lets say youre out hiking. 4. It. Take your compass and line up the edges with the north-south gridlines on your map. Step 2: Line up your lensatic compass with the North Star and make sure the index mark is on the star. The My Open Country name is registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. pointsnorth, east, south, and westbut some are marked additionally with the. Youll see that it shows two arrows when you turn your headset or controllers around to show the new orientation of a map. You notice another mountain peak out in the distance, but you dont know what its called. functional from -50F to 150F. When the actual lens gets damaged, it unnecessarily impairs simple operation. 8; Page 11 G. LOCATING POSITION USING INTERSECTION 1. What if you dont have access to a compass that can compensate for declination? This can be done either by (1) rotating the map the requisite number of degrees east or west or (2) holding the baseplate firmly, rotate the compass housing to the correct number of degrees west or east to account for the declination. But it isnt just magnets there are other culprits at play, here. With solid land-navigation skills, you'll be more confident and "at home" in the wilderness. A map and compass are useless unless you know how to use them properly. The courses of streams change, field boundaries move, new hedgerows are built, walls are plundered for buildings, glaciers melt, roads and bridges are washed away by floods, houses are knocked down and rebuilt somewhere else. Well adjust it to account for the declination of our compass. Also known as setting the map, orientating helps to relate your position and the landscape around you to the map, therefore making onward navigation more straightforward. The orient a map to the ground by map-terrain association is one of the most basic skills that you will need in order to survive. There's another way to orientate a map using a compass that starts slightly differently to what was explained above. 2. When you point your compass towards true north, the needle will point a bit to the west. Have you noticed the agonic line? surface. Knowing how to orientate a map is just one facet of the wider skill of knowing how to read a map. 1. Rotate the compass until the north on the bezel points to the top of the map and the compass housing orienting lines are parallel to the maps vertical grid lines, using your position as a pivot. You dont have your point position. Enroll in my personalized step-by-step video-based online course. This was developed. If youre in the Adirondacks, add 14 degrees to get a correct bearing of 194 degrees. Lets say you know youre southeast of Saddle Mountain and northeast of some smaller mountains. Using a little screwdriver or the metal piece that came with your compass lanyard, turn the small screw. The easiest way to orientate a map is to relate the features in front of you to the features on the map. Next, without changing the orientation of you map, move your compass so that its edge is touching the point you are plotting to/from and the compass dial reading matches your bearing. Next, without changing the orientation of you map, move your compass so that the point you are plotting to/from is under the sighting wire, and the compass dial reading matches your bearing. More or less, where the second line meets the first is where you are on the map. "}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How do you orient a map to ground? The Art of Manliness participates in affiliate marketing programs, which means we get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links. Spatial awareness refers to having knowledge about where everything in the environment is located relative as well as understanding how objects relate with each other spatially. The Lensatic compass also has a large number of drawbacks, including the use of a large case that can make this a cumbersome and heavy option. In my online video land-navigation course, I explain in lecture 20, how to orient a map. We may then use our compass to begin going in the direction we need to go in order to reach our destination. Youll see that it shows two arrows when you turn your headset or controllers around to show the new orientation of a map. Magnetic north would be slightly to your right, or east, by about 14. Remember, human features are the last port of call and, whats king again? For this example, were going to go to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. Pull your elbows firmly into your sides; this will place the compass between your chin and your belt. Preferred by military for its precision and. The first step of orienting with our map and compass is to make sure north on the map lines up with north in our terrain. Before we can start actually navigating, which well get to in Part IIIof this series, we still need to learnwhere we are in relation to our maphow to orient ourselves. So in this installment, well go over the skills you need to do just that. Welcome back to the Land Navigation Manual for the Art of Manliness. What happens if you dont compensate for declination with your compass? Lensatic compasses are made up of three parts: cover, base, and reading lens. Oncein pre-GPS dayswhile on a canoe trip through the chain of lakes in Canadas Quetico Provincial park, our professional guide expertly got us through about 100 miles of wilderness, without ever using a compass. (1) Take the straightedge on the left side of the compass and place it alongside the north-south grid line with the cover of the compass pointing toward the top of the map. Please refresh the page and try again. The narration and imagery may seem old-timey in this era of high-def computer graphics . Set your compass dial to 000 degrees. This is sometimes referred to as putting red in the shed. Finally, you can always triple check with human features, such as walls or towns that youd expect to be able to see in the valley. A lensatic compass features a small pop-out area for your thumb, and a lid on top of the main compass body. 1. When you point your compass towards true north, the needle will point slightly east. You want to go cross country directly to Devil's Wash Basin, a deep and beautiful lake you've heard a lot about. Huzzah! Step 1: Find the North Star. Method #2. is also used to follow a course over the ground, orient or set a map, and determine position of objects in. You don't want to hold it crooked, cockeyed, or off level. Take your compass and turn the compass housing (bezel) until the red orientating arrow is in line with the direction of travel arrow. 4. It has its advantages and disadvantages over the orienteering compass. To orientate the map, rotate both the map and compass together until the red compass needle and the red orientating arrow match up. Well use the rear bearing of it to draw a line on the map from Saddle Mountain to our approximate direction. You learn that it has a 176 bearing. Weve compiled a detailed guide on how to adjust for magnetic declination, but at its most basic level it goes like this: Your map should state what the magnetic declination is in degrees for the region you are in. Shows how to use the USGI issue lensatic compass to orient the map, plot a course based on two well-defined. Step 1 Orient the map. Assume youve climbed to the top of Camels Hump in Vermont. A lensatic compass is often referred to as a military compass, and is typically used by the U.S. Military. Declination is the angle formed by true north and magnetic north. Oriented the map. Compass (For Dummies) Beginner guide to map and compass - Survival Saturday Ep. Lets go to the other side of the country. Whether or not you participate in orienteering, I'm confident you'll find that a properly oriented map is a huge help in finding your way. Basically, the compass needle will point someplace east of true north in locations west of the agonic line, whereas it will point somewhere west of true north in areas east of the agonic line. 2. So there you have it. Lay your map out in front of you on a relatively flat and smooth (and dry!) Fill & Sign Online, Print, Email, Fax, or Download Adjust the compass bezel so that north on the compass corresponds to north on the map. (Note: The magnetic compass needle should be ignored.) Magnetic north would be around 14 degrees to your right, or east. The method is to align the edge of the compass along the Magnetic North (MN) line, and then move the map and compass together until the compass needle points north. You discover that it has a bearing of 176. Any kinds of magnets whatsoever. Next, turn the compass housing so that the index pointer corresponds to the number of degrees of the magnetic declination. Next, ensure youre happy with your judgment by matching other physical features in the landscape to the map, such as crags, glaciers, waterfalls, lakes and rivers. There are so many different kinds of compasses, it can be hard to keep up. But heres where things get tricky: the angle of declination changes depending where you are on the earth. Timetoprepare.net is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and Other Programs, an affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to the Partners. Your cheek should be resting on the base of your thumb. Say your azimuth was 170 degrees. [10] 4. Turn the compass dial so that the bearing intersects the index line (2). Keep in mind that maps are drawn with north at the top. A compass needle aligns with the magnetic fields in the Earth, which is what it uses to help you find true north. Then turn the map until the position of the landmarks on the map corresponds to the real-world features in the terrain, then cross-check your position with additional features to ensure you have oriented correctly. SMCT Orient a Map Using a Lensatic Compass. The lensatic compass is used by the U.S. Military. Orient the map to the terrain. Put the compass anywhere on top of the map. Looking at the photo below, let's say you're at the north end of Sheeler Lake, where the penciled X is. While this doesnt technically register as an electronic, were going to treat it like one. Want to start taking action on the content you read on AoM? The cover is used to protect the compass and also incorporates the sighting wirewhich helps you determine direction. Remember declination from Part I? The mils are in black, and are the outer measurements on the ring. On your map, place your compass. Flip up the lid to a 90-degree angle. What if youre not on a trail, but you just know the general area youre in? Procedures. Your lens piece will appear just above your thumb loop. Travel to that landmark. Orient the map to the terrain. Line up the meridian lines (the parallel lines inside the bezel) with a north/south grid line on the map. So, if you know where you are on the map, look ahead and see what features you can see. Orient you compass with the bearing, and draw the bearing line. Step 1. ), Set Your Compass for Your Intended Azimuth. True north and magnetic north are not the same, as stated in Part I. In your case, however, your declination is 004 degrees West, meaning you'll have to add 004 degrees before you set your compass. Looking at the map is an easy way of finding which direction north or east are relative to your current position. Here at Brunton, we manufacture a variety of different compasses for varying needs in the field. Step 2. The big idea normally is to have your map more or less line up with the terrain so you can make sense of where things are around you. Take a bearing on the mountain thats southwest from you. Last update on 2023-03-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. How to Determine the Bearingof a Distant Object. Spatial awareness refers to having knowledge about where everything in the environment is located relative as well as understanding how objects relate with each other spatially. Take a bearing to a visible landmark using your compass. Look through the lens and sighting line. A lensatic compass is just one of the many navigational tools we have built. Then, slide your compass around so that its edge passes through the landmark on the map, while the orienting arrow continues to point north. Make an "L" shape with the index finger and thumb of your other hand. We just dont know where we are. To find the tower's bearing with your lensatic compass: 1. c. There are two methods of holding the lensatic compass and sighting. Orienting the Map with aLensatic Compass. Now, read the degree marking under the fixed black index line. Lensatic compasses are seasoned or experienced navigator tools. When map reading, there are two ways to orient a mapby eye and with a compass. . Its a subtle difference, but its a roundabout way of saying lensatic compasses are less prone to interference than others. Doing that with a lensatic compass is much like doing that with any other compass. On the other hand, wrap the fingers around the three fingers below the compass. Get my Land Navigation coursehere. Return from Lensatic Compass to How to Use a Compass. Its not an issue. 2. PART 1 Basic Land Navigation USING THE MILITARY LENSATIC COMPASS Module 6 Map Information. Whenever the luminous magnetic arrow lines up with the luminous short line, you're following your intended azimuth. For this task, the lensatic compass really shines. He is currently the President of the London Mountaineering Club, training to become a Winter Mountain Leader, looking to finally finish bagging all the Wainwright fells of the Lake District and hoping to scale more Alpine 4000ers when circumstances allow. Lay the compass down on your map. Want a free ebook on Land Navigation? If the magnetic declinationin your area were zero, you'd proceed in the direction of 062 degrees. Using your location as a pivot, rotate the compass until north on the bezel is pointing to the top of the map and the compass housing orienting lines are parallel with the maps vertical grid lines. ? Put that hand up to the compass, steadying the compass by placing your index finger along the compass's side, and wrapping your thumb between the bezel ring and the rear sight. (1) Compass-to-cheek method (figure C-21). Youre on that line, so you know where youre standing. 2. Identify where you are on the map and place the compass edge over this location. Double-check by making sure the map title or legend text is the correct way up, or find the maps north arrow. For bearings of 181 to 359 degrees, rotate the bezel clockwise. If you point your compass towards true north, your compass needle is going to point a little to the east. Gently pull the lid down until the sighting line is visible through the lens. How to Pack a Backpack Are You Doing it Right? Holding any compass in a slack and half-a**ed (that's an old military term. Hey, it happens! 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 4. Advnture is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. In actual practice, orienting your map is something you'll often do "on the run" and can be as simple as glancing at your compass needle and turning the map more or less accordingly. Mt. Sounds like a lot more than a regular compass, doesnt it? Place the compass on the map with one long edge of the baseplate running between the two points of interest. Nothing is permanent and contours are more permanent than pretty much everything else on a map. Turn your map so that north on the map corresponds to the needles orientation. Were headed to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma for this example. You can see that the mountain is 24 degrees away from you. Step 3 Use one of two techniques to orientate the map. A: You can use the arrow keys, or you can hold down shift and move in any direction to rotate a map around its axis. Place map on flat surface (not metal) 2. If the local declination is positive, subtract the declination amount from the bearing you just derived. Hold the compass steady and level, and up to your face. Now hold the compass on the map and rotate yourself and the map/compass together until the orienting arrow and the compass needle are aligned to magnetic north. To use your lensatic compass to find the direction of your intended azimuth (which you probably got from your map, using your protractor): 1. Triangulate your position. A compass is a device used for navigation and orientation. Were going to move that to take into account declination on our compass. Kierans bookClimbing the Wallsan exploration of the mental health benefits of climbing, mountaineering, and the great outdoorsis scheduled for release by Simon & Schuster in April 2021. {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"How do you orient and read a map? How can you get your point position then? Lets go back to our Muir Woods example. Where the second line intersects with the first is where youre at on the map, more or less. Step One: Take a Compass Bearing on the Ground. The following 30-minute U.S. Army training video from 1966 shows how to find your direction, orientation, and location with a mil-spec lensatic compass. The term "lensatic" comes from the fact that there is a lens on the rear side of the compass that aids in the orienteering process. Make sure your map is aligned with magnetic north (see above). One advantage is it's probably more accurate when it comes to "shooting azimuths," meaning the act of determining the specific compass direction to a spot on the earth. You see that its 230 in relation to your location. Best Camping Knife for Outdoor Adventures, Best 4-Person Tent For Camping [2023 Update], How to Use a Fire Starter: A Simple, Step-by-Step Guide, How to Dispose of Butane Cans (and Other Solvents), Best Hikes in Colorado: 17 Incredible Trails, Types of Backpacks: The Ultimate List of 23 Pack Styles, Learning one of land navigations primary skills, Turn your map using your map and compass together, How to check your map is oriented correctly. Position in the area. Ethan Allan, the peak you observed, is cut through by the plotted line. If your destination is further than what the side edging allows for, you can use an actual ruler to align with the side of your compass edge to help you get to your destination. Title: USING THE MILITARY LENSATIC COMPASS 1 USING THE MILITARY LENSATIC COMPASS PART 2 Intermediate Land Navigation Module 14 Travel Distance Estimation 2 . The cover is used to protect the compass and alsoincorporates thesighting wirewhich helps you determine direction. Turn the little screw using a small screwdriver or the little metal piece that comes with your compass lanyard. Using your location as a pivot, rotate the compass until north on the bezel is pointing to the top of the map and the compass housing orienting lines are parallel with the map's vertical grid lines. As long as youre lined up with your direction of travel arrow (keeping that north arrow visible for reference), you need to look through the sighting line and pick a landmark ahead of you. Orienting the Map with an Orienteering Compass. 3 . To determine the direction, or bearing, from one point to another, you need a. compass as well as a map. Just follow these lensatic compass instructions: Open the compass: Let the cover and the base form a 90-degree angle. That would be 130. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Turn your compass on its side. 3. At the summit of Saddle Mountain, take a bearing using your compass. Finally, before setting off, be sure to do a quick check by looking around you to see that all features represented on your map are where they should be in the terrain. Flip your compass upside down. Once you've got the bearing you can transfer it to the map. Open the compass all the way so that the cover locks into position against the base, forming a straightedge along the left side. A good temperature of 65F to 78 should keep the humidity down and help preserve the structural integrity of the compass. Heres our step-by-step guide to the most straightforward. If youre in the Adirondacks, youll want to add 14 so your true bearing would be 194. 6. If the local declination is negative, add the declination amount . The keys to successfully navigating the wilderness are being able to determine your position, know where youre going and understand how terrain affects your movement abilities. $7.20. The lensatic compass is comprised of different parts compared to a baseplate compass. 5. Use your thumb to pull the thumb ring back about halfway. 5. SPECS dimensions:4.1" x 2.4" x 0.6" |10.4 x 6.2 Read More. One disadvantage is, unlike the orienteering compass, it's not easy to make it double as a protractor, meaning you'll have to carry a protractor with you. Your compass is now set. Youve orientated the map. Home / Educational Resources / Math Resources / Compass: Definitions and Examples. Plot a line on the map using the back bearing from that mountain. Now repeat step 3 above and youre good to go. The two basic techniques for using the lensatic compass . Fill in the empty areas; concerned parties names, places of residence and phone numbers etc. Assume youre southeast of Saddle Mountain and northeast of a few of lesser peaks. You can use it to find your bearings in any direction you need to go. Place the thumb of the other hand between the rear sight and the bezel ring; extend the index finger along the remaining side of the compass, and the remaining fingers around the fingers of the other hand. Place the three remaining fingers below as if you are holding a gun. Use a Compass : Basic Reading Do's and Dont's \u0026 Tips With Navigating COM-PASS Reading Placement Test - Characters COMPASS Reading Prep How to use a compass:For beginners THIS is how to use a Compass (Lensatic Compass for beginn-ers) Using A Lensatic Compass (For Dum-mies) Beginner guide to map and compass - Survival Saturday Ep. Turn your map so that north on the map, points in the same direction as the needle. When you face true north, magnetic north is roughly 14 degrees to the left, or west, of you. Look at the red needle to see which direction it is pointing. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); MyOpenCountry is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. The housing lines should be parallel with the maps vertical grid lines. Determining a Bearing, or "Shooting an Azimuth", Using Your Compass Sights to "Shoot an Azimuth". (Note: Ignore the magnetic compass needle. We just dont know where exactly. Because most of the components are housed in a casing, moisture can wreak havoc once its in there. Here's an example from an older map of the Grand Canyon. If not, recalibrate before continuing. Related Tags. Use a Compass to Plot Bearings on a Map. The bezel clicks as it moves--three degrees for every click. A map so lined up is easier to interpret and follow than a map spread out haphazardly. (Be sure you understand magnetic declination. All you have to do is shoot a bearing towards the unidentified peak. 3.Rotate the map and compass until the directions of the declination diagram formed by the black index line and the compass needle match the direction shown in the . To obtain a heading from our map, we may use our compass as a protractor. A map, by definition, is a small-scale representation of the real world or a section thereof. Point position. How to use the Lunatic Compass Map Orientation by compass Magnetic Azimuth A magnetic azimuth of any object is the compass reading of a direct line across the center of the compass to the object. Most people have never heard of them, but soon enough, youre going to be a master at using them. Step 2: line the compass up with the map. Sight an azimuth to any visible terrain feature that appears on the map. You see that the mountain is 24 in relation to you. At least, I never saw him with one. The U.S. military M-1950 lensatic compass shown in this video is still in use today. Survival Compass, Military Compass Hiking, Orienteering Lensatic Compass, Waterproof Navigation Compasses, Survival Emergency Luminous Sighting Compass. There you go. We guide you on how to orientate a map with or without your compass so that you can navigate your way through the backcountry. Ymiko Compass Survival,Compass For Kids,Compass Hiking Durable Shockproof Waterproof Brass Camping Tools For Navigation Outdoor. Orient you compass with the bearing, and draw the bearing line. 3. 3. Note: This procedure places the fixed black index line of the compass parallel to north-south grid lines of the map. Suunto M-3 Compass. As a result, its declination would be 14 degrees west. But not to you, I trust. Huzzah! Check the declination of your local location on your map or on a website. Then tilt the mirror until you can see straight down into the bezel. Reserve! The rear bearing is at a 50-degree angle. Designate your starting and ending points on the map. Lay your compass on the map and line up its edge with a known landmark. When you have a line position, you know that youre on some identifiable line on the map (trail, ridge line, etc. Boom. Read the azimuth: Lastly, ensuring the dial is floating, look down on it and read the azimuth. Identify where you are on the map and place the compass edge over this location. To do so accurately, however, we must first adjust our compass for magnetic declination so the reading taken from the compass arrow . Turn the map and compass until the needle on the compass aligns with the north-south grid lines on the map.