How to Use a Compass

Does your life lack direction? Learn to read a compass properly and you'll always know which way to go.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Handheld GPS Navigation System
• Base Plate Compasses

1. Hold the base plate compass flat in front of your chest so that the compass needle floats freely and points to magnetic north. (The only thing a compass needle can do is point to magnetic north.)

2. Rotate the entire compass housing until the needle sits within the orienting arrow stenciled onto the base of the compass housing. (Usually the orienting arrow is red.) The zero degree mark on the compass housing and the north end of the needle should be aligned - they now point to magnetic north.

3. Keep the orienting arrow and the compass needle pointing north. Twist the base plate until the direction-of-travel line points exactly at the distant landmark you wish to move toward. Double-check to make sure everything is still properly aligned.

4. Note the exact number of degrees marked on the compass dial where the direction-of-travel line intersects the compass dial. That number of degrees is the direction to the distant landmark.

Tips & Warnings

• Be accurate in your measurement. You should be within 1 degree of exact.
• If you measure the exact direction to a distant landmark, that specific direction will keep you traveling toward the landmark even when you can't see it.
• Don't confuse the north end of the compass needle with the south end.

Who Can Help:

• Tired of Being Tired? Fight Fatigue and Try FRS for FREE!

[mamasu2]

on 6/22/2009 where do I find instructions for dummies? I just have this little compass that I have had forever, very cheap and probably a kids toy. All I want to know is why are one of the pointers red? no matter which way you are going, shouldn't a compass just tell you which way is north. someone talk to me like I'm two.

[indexercarol]

on 2/10/2009 Thanks, I've wanted to know how to use a compass for a long time. Do inexpensive compasses work well? Are there specific features I should look for, in addition to those mentioned above? A photo showing an orientation would help.

on 8/8/2006 Do these things to become a good user of a compass:
1. Learn the basics: How to hold a compass, find north, find the bearing to your objective, how to stay on your bearing, and use your compass with a map.
2. Practice using your compass with a map to go from point A to point Z. You don't have to be in a woods, on a lake or in open country: you can do it in a city neighborhood too.
3. If you can do these things well, then always trust your compass! Don't go off in the wrong direction by thinking your compass cannot be right.