MEPX
Chapter 4 of 10All chapters
  1. 1Reading a map
  2. 2Contours and terrain
  3. 3Grid references
  4. 4The compass
  5. 5Orienting and relocating
  6. 6Projections
  7. 7How satellite positioning works
  8. 8Where positioning fails
  9. 9Digital maps and routing
  10. 10Navigating in practice

Chapter 4 of 10

The compass

Direction you can trust.

Parts and use

Set the bearing on the housing, align the orienting lines with grid north on the map, then turn yourself until the needle sits in the arrow and walk on the direction of travel line.

  • Keep it away from phones, steel and car bodies.
  • Bearings run clockwise from north: 090 east, 180 south, 270 west.

Declination

The compass points at magnetic north, which differs from grid north by an angle that changes with place and year. Add or subtract it as your map's margin instructs.