Orienting, or aligning, the map is really easy with just 3 steps: Lay your map out on a relatively flat, smooth surface. There is some technical difference between the two, but for all practical civilian purposes, the words are interchangeable. A compass is a device used for navigation and orientation. This was developed for the Center for Initial Military Training, FT Eustis, Va. The plotted line cuts through Mt. 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. Once you master using a lensatic compass, it becomes the only way youll ever navigate around the wilderness moving forward. Make an "L" shape with the index finger and thumb of your other hand. The instances navigation needs to be most spot-on are when visibility is compromised. Point position. 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. 4. PART 1 Basic Land Navigation Module 6 Map Information WARNING This presentation is intended as a quick summary, and not a comprehensive resource. 4. Program, Strengthen Your Tribe: A Report on the Atomic Athlete Vanguard, The Best Riddles for Kids (With Answers! Gently pull the lid down until the sighting line is visible through the lens. To obtain a heading from our map, we may use our compass as a protractor. This involves trying to orient a map using only topographical features and your own eyesight. 5. Last but not lease, lensatic compasses are prone to scratching. You notice another mountain peak out in the distance, but you dont know what its called. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Map and compass skills are essential when navigating the great outdoors, Abrupt topography, like mountain peaks, should be easy to identify thanks to their contours on the map, Magnetic declination guidance on a standard topographical map, Having adjusted the compass housing to correspond with magnetic north, line your compass up with the map's gridlines, Red is in the shed: the compass needle is lined up with the orientating arrow, Ski towns are full: why we cant all just move to the mountains, Berghaus MTN Guide MW Hoody review: a performance mid-layer for the mountains, Rangers warn National Park graffiti could throw hikers off the trail. Theyre not traditionally used for camping trips or simple navigation, but if youre serious about prepping, this is a must-have in your EDC bag and bug out bag. In this video below,the user walks through the elements of a USGI lensatic compass, and how to properly use one. Return from Lensatic Compass to How to Use a Compass. If you want to learn Land Navigation in detail, either buy a book; or get someone, who has the knowledge and skills, to teach you in person. SPECS dimensions:4.1" x 2.4" x 0.6" |10.4 x 6.2 Read More. Please refresh the page and try again. 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. Thats your bearing from point A to point B. "}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How do you do map orientation? Turn the bezel on your compass so that north on the compass points to north on the map. If youre in the Adirondacks, youll want to add 14 so your true bearing would be 194. Line up the meridian lines (the parallel lines inside the bezel) with a north/south grid line on the map. Determine the correct magnetic azimuth to the designated point within 3 degrees using the compass-to-cheek method, or within 10 degrees using the center-hold method. (Note: The magnetic compass needle should be ignored.) Timetoprepare.net. You see that the mountain is 24 in relation to you. To orientate the map, rotate both the map and compass together until the red compass needle and the red orientating arrow match up. Holding the compass up to your face, angle the rear sight so that you can read the compass dial clearly through the lens while peering through the sighting slot and lining your distant target (the water tower, in this case) up with the sighting wire. Before we do that, lets take a closer look at declination. ), you just dont know exactly where. Assume youve climbed to the top of Camels Hump in Vermont. When you return from using your lensatic compass, take it apart as much as possible to detect any moisture. As previously stated, orientating your map using visual features is only as good as the visibility on any given day. navigation and combat. Identify where you are on the map and place the compass edge over this location. Now it's time to take out the map. You can see that the mountain is 24 degrees away from you. But it isnt just magnets there are other culprits at play, here. 8; Page 11 G. LOCATING POSITION USING INTERSECTION 1. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Don't worry that your red orientating arrow doesn't point exactly map north. Use your thumb to pull the thumb ring back about halfway. Below, we offer a short, straight-talking guide to how its done. See the line labeled the agonic line? 5. Plot a line on the map using the back bearing from that mountain. To orient a map means to line it up with the terrain, so that North on the map is pointing to North on the terrain. Turn your declination-adjusted compass dial so due North is at the index pointer. That would be 130. When you point your compass towards true north, your compass needle is going to point a little to the west. When you face true north, magnetic north is going to be left, or west, of you by about 14. Lets say youre planning a short hike from one point to another. ENROLL NOW. The bezel clicks as it moves--three degrees for every click. Copyright 2013-2019 Collingwood Publications LLC, It's important to hold your compass stable, squarely in front of you, and level. When you point your compass towards true north, the needle will point slightly east. Survival Compass, Military Compass Hiking, Orienteering Lensatic Compass, Waterproof Navigation Compasses, Survival Emergency Luminous Sighting Compass. Then, you place your protractor on the map with its center point at your current position, making sure the north-south lines on the protractor line up with the north-south lines on the map. To get among the sources, you can discover the fascinating point to acquire. What wildlife can you see at Yellowstone National Park? At Advnture, we never head out into the backcountry without a map and compass. Most compasses are marked with the four cardinal. 1. 4. Sometimes limited visibility means terrain features may not be visible. 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. Orient the map to the terrain. There are step-by-step to use a compass. While this doesnt technically register as an electronic, were going to treat it like one. But its important to understand the different types of navigational toolsincluding a lensatic compass. Contours are king. Tags: download Elcenter Course, mp3 download Elcenter Course, download mp3 Elcenter Course, mp3 gratis Elcenter Course, Elcenter Course lagu mp3 dan video mp4. Look through the lens and sighting line. Step 1: Find the North Star. From the compass, to GPS, to now even your mobile devicetheres no shortage of navigational tools. Then tilt the mirror until you can see straight down into the bezel. Compass adjusted for declination. Sounds like a lot more than a regular compass, doesnt it? When orienting a map, our aim is to position it so that the north-south grid lines on the map (eastings) are aligned north-south. 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. New York, Center-hold. Great article! What is the preferred method of using a lensatic compass when reading magnetic azimuths. Learn to navigate using a topographic map and a compass. Uses a retractable lens to read the bearing while. Fog or dense forest may mean you cant see but a few feet around you in any direction. Casio's latest G-Shock watch could be a serious Garmin rival. Open the cover completely and pull back the rear sight. You can, however, see the two points on your map. 3. UK readers, youre in luck. All Rights Reserved. Put the compass anywhere on top of the map. We know were someplace south of Saddle Mountain on HW 115. Instead of using your compasss arrow, youll align your needle with the tape arrow. For this task, the lensatic compass really shines. A visualization depicting the Soldier's Manual of Common Tasks (STP 21-1-SMCT) task Orient a Map Using a Lensatic Compass (071-COM-1011). Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). It typically consists of a magnetized needle that is mounted on a pivot and placed inside a circular housing. Knowing how to orientate a map is just one facet of the wider skill of knowing how to read a map. Thats 130 degrees. When moisture seeps into the lens case of your lensatic compass, it causes major problems. On the other hand, wrap the fingers around the three fingers below the compass. You want to know how to use a lensatic compass? 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. 4. 3. Conversely, the black end of the compass needle should be pointing south. With that bearing, we can use our compass to start traveling in the direction we need to go in order to get to our endpoint. Taking each features relative shape, height and distance away into consideration, you should be able to start to match them to the contour features on the map. 5. However, we should be able to figure it out rather quickly. Flip your compass upside down. Performance Steps 1. Your compass is now set. We can find out easily enough, though. Plot a line on the map using the mountains rear bearing. Nothing is permanent and contours are more permanent than pretty much everything else on a map. 2. Orient you compass with the bearing, and draw the bearing line. Magnetic north lines up exactly when youre on this line and facing true north. Some of the components' terms are used in the explanations below. Well, that is, unless you're doing something silly like holding the compass backwards. Youre in the right place! Brett May 23, 2016 Last updated: June 2, 2021. The instructions on this page might make orienting a map seem a highly technical thing. ? Hold it square and straight in front of you like you mean business. 4. 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. We may then use our compass to begin going in the direction we need to go in order to reach our destination. 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 . The housing is marked with cardinal points, typically north, south, east, and west, which . Step 3: Find a path that leads to the horizon. Lets pretend youre on a hike. To do so accurately, however, we must first adjust our compass for magnetic declination so the reading taken from the compass arrow . We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. With your bezel ring set, stand at your starting point and . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It's important to hold your compass stable, squarely in front of you, and level. 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. If youre facing south, but are holding the map right side up, everything on your map is going to be ass-backwards. Sometimes we may use GPS technology or navigational apps to find our way, but we will always have the option of a map and compass stashed safely in our hiking backpack. Thanks so much for sharing! Take your compass and turn the compass housing (bezel) until the red orientating arrow is in line with the direction of travel arrow. Wrap your middle, ring and pinky finger around your thumb for support. Here's an example from an older map of the Grand Canyon. This is because it is prepped to point instead to magnetic north once its lined up with your compass needle. Shoot a bearing with your compass at the peak of Saddle Mountain. This makes it easier to relate what you see on the map with what you see on the ground. "}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How do you orient a map to ground? Using a little screwdriver or the metal piece that came with your compass lanyard, turn the small screw. Or maybe using the sun to help put your map somewhat the right way around. An "azimuth" is pretty much the same as a "bearing." 1. You then see where the line you drew intersects with the protractor's numbers, in this case 062 degrees. Come to think of it, I dont even know if he had a compass. Corrected the orientations of the map when the G-M angle exceeded 3 degrees (50 mils) using one of the following: a. On the map, you are where the line connects with the highway. You should notice that the direction of travel arrow should be pointing at the top of the map, and the black orienteering lines should also be parallel to the north-south gridlines on the map. What happens if you dont compensate for declination with your compass? Now that were putting compass to map, we need to adjust for it so that we can accurately orient and navigate. Hold the compass at eye level and point it at the object. Housing lines should be parallel to the vertical grid lines on the map. 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. Whenever the luminous magnetic arrow lines up with the luminous short line, you're following your intended azimuth. Method #1. 2. As we can see, the area Im in has a declination of 4E. Orient you compass with the bearing, and draw the bearing line. The lensatic compass is used by the U.S. Military. Now repeat step 3 above and youre good to go. Hold compass up to eye level and view larger side card for "direction-of-travel" compass. This is sometimes referred to as putting red in the shed. You just need one more piece of information to figure out exactly where you are on the map. Take a bearing on the mountain thats southwest from you. Whenever the luminous magnetic arrow lines up with the luminous short line, you're following your intended azimuth. that it is pointing towards the top of the map. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS & More: A Manual On Food Storage and Survival: 2nd Edition Revised and Updated. (2) Keep the compass aligned as directed above while . Place your map in such a way that the terrain features line up with your maps features. Check to see if the north directional arrow is inline with the arrow/line of the compass. Click heretolearn about the three different types of compasses. NY 10036. 6. We guide you on how to orientate a map with or without your compass so that you can navigate your way through the backcountry. Navigate to your map. Another trick for declination when your compass cant adjust for it is to create your own declination arrow out of masking tape and tape it beneath your compass under the correct declination degree hash (This will only work if your compass has a clear base). Any kinds of magnets whatsoever. Well use the rear bearing of it to draw a line on the map from Saddle Mountain to our approximate direction. Remember, human features are the last port of call and, whats king again? Here at Brunton, we manufacture a variety of different compasses for varying needs in the field. 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. The two basic techniques for using the lensatic compass . Take that bearing and plot it on the map using the technique explained above. 1. Hey, it happens! He has climbed a handful of 6000ers in the Himalayas, 4000ers in the Alps, 14ers in the US, and loves nothing more than a good long-distance wander in the wilderness. Last update on 2023-03-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. He climbs when he should be writing, writes when he should be sleeping, has fun always. This is because it is prepped to point instead to magnetic north once it's lined up with your compass needle. But not to you, I trust. A map and compass are useless unless you know how to use them properly. You are missing your point location. 3 Navigation: Compass Basics Read, Understand, and Remember! 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. Your lens piece will appear just above your thumb loop. You can always orient your map with a working compass. You see that its 230 in relation to your location. Read your compass (Figures 5-25 and 5-26). We still need to understand where we are in reference to our map how to orient ourselves before we can start really navigating, which well cover in Part III of this series.