These essentials include an orienting arrow with orienting lines, a degree dial bezel at 2 graduations, and usually one or more scales or rulers along the edges of the compass. And don't forget to leave a comment below so we can continue the conversation. A Suunto MC-2G weighs less than half of the lensatic compass 7oz., and is only about a half inch thick. With a lensatic compass I would feel comfortable picking a landmark much farther away, which means faster travel. I would learn to use a baseplate compass first. Change). http://www.thecompassstore.com/dakar.html. With Proper navigation skills, and experience, either will serve you very well. If so, wed love to have you as a Crew Leader by joining our annual membership! In my nearly 50 years of self-taught woodland land nav I have always used baseplates, which seem to me an easy fit and transition from my past experience as a former Air Force navigator using a straight edge plotter/protractor on my air charts. The lensatic compass features three main parts. Overall, it offers an incredible value given its functions and affordable price. Clinometer: For mountaineering and . Fortunately, most fluid-filled needle housings use an alcohol medium that prevents freezing and heat expansion while minimizing bubble formation. It can be done but certainly is not as intuitive or direct as using a baseplate. Most lensatic compasses are encased in aluminum frames for longer durability. Marine compass or a card compass - This type of compass has a needle that is fixed and a compass card that is mounted in fluid and rotates according to orientation. I have never once needed to navigate with map and compass during my hunting and outdoor excursions but its a skill I really want to get down. Instead of looking down directly at the floating dial, the user relies on the lens to read the dial. It has an alternate ID of TTX1823, ISBN 978--607-93473-1. Whether you are a novice to the world of orienteering or looking to level up, here are some things to consider before making your purchase of the best compass for hiking. This extra chore, enables the baseplate compass to have an adjustable magnetic declination setting, which removes the need for addition or subtraction with each bearing, as is required with the lensatic compass. Keep this in mind if this compass makes your short list. I have personally broken 2 of the plastic compass', at different times, while they were stowed in a pocket on my person. Practice. If not, it's really not that bad. I have navigated with bolth types and found that the lensatic compass will provide you with greater precision. The base plate includes a latitude, longitude and UTM template for critical details, but it lacks in two areas. Replace the mirror with a small, fold up magnifying lens, and the compass needle with flat, circular compass card (or disk), and you have a lensatic compass. Thanks to the generosity of our supporting members and occasionally earning money from qualifying purchases as an Amazon Associate, (when you click our Amazon links) weve eliminated annoying ads and content. We feel its important and necessary to have a compass at your disposal during this series. If you dont think youll need the global needle, Suunto also offers a model with a standard magnetized needle to use in the northern hemisphere at a reduced price point. With so many different features and considerations, it can be challenging to pick the right one for your specific needs. You even have two methods for taking readings: Center-Hold and Compass-to-Cheek (preferred army technique; within +/- 3 degrees of accuracy). Suunto MC-3 Leader Compass. Gyro compass has a rapidly spinning wheel whose rotation interacts with the rotation of the earth until its axis of rotation is parallel with the Earth's and points to the Earth's rotational poles. These balancing zones are important because the vertical intensity and direction of the earths magnetic field fluctuates as you move around the globe. (LogOut/ According to this information, it is sighted on to any astronomical object with a known position to give an extremely accurate reading. Why? My transition to civilian life included switching over to a base plate compass. Take a class. This means that if you put the compass on a post at a known point on a surveyed azimuth, the compass may read several degrees to either side of that. It is functional from -50F to +150F. Anthony Grahame has been a writer for more than 15 years. A person can turn slowly in a circle and see how reading the compass through the lens always shows the current direction. BEST FOR HIKING: Silva Ranger 2.0 . The simple design of a Baseplate compass makes it a popular choice for outdoor navigation. The waterproof compass will stay safe and functional in the wettest conditions. He has a degree in English literature from the University of Sussex and is an experienced traveler and travel writer. Along with south and north magnetic poles, the Earth also has multiple layers of magnetized metal underneath its surface. 6104 W Pioneer Pkwy Ste 212Arlington, TX 76013[emailprotected]. BEST BUDGET: AOFAR Military Compass AF-4580 Lensatic. #3. BEST MILITARY GRADE: Cammenga Official US Military Tritium Compass. How exactly do you take an accurate bearing with it? The Brunton Basic Compass Clinics are the first in an ongoing series of bite size educational facts to make compass and map use easy and accessible. I speak from first-hand experience. Thanks for the info everyone, definitely a big help. But I don't think its necesarily any better than the baseplate compasses. Prismatic compass or lensatic compass - has a glass prism or a lens and a lid that has a hairline. However, electronic compasses are not ideal for map work. Magnetize it. Sun Company ProMap Compass - Ultra Lightweight Baseplate Map Compass with Declination Scale - Accurate Orienteering Base Plate Compass for Hiking, Backpacking, Camping, and Survival Navigation. The terrain features traveled through and knowledge of a few simple helpful techniques will show you the way to most any practical destination outside of military precision. For this reason, gyrocompasses are commonly used in marine vessels, where the large metal mass and electrical equipment would grossly interfere with a magnetic compasss reading. none name: jerwin jay abucay instructor: engr. Electronic compasses provide bearings on a numerical readout. Dogs are excellent judges of character, this fact goes a long way toward explaining why some people don't like being around them. Magnetic interference in your environment, most commonly caused by personal electronics like smartphones, can pull your magnetized needle in the wrong direction. At this price point, youll be hard-pressed to find a more durable and accurate adventure racing compass with all the basic and necessary features. Keep the following features and considerations in mind to see which magnetic compass fulfills your specific navigational needs. Magnetic North is the magnetic fields indication of north and it varies. The baseplate compass is one of the most common and affordable types of compass. 1.7 oz. $5 for interactive PDF(smartphone version) This sophisticated compass always finds true north, rather than magnetic north. JavaScript is disabled. Though both will perform either role? Theres no standardized weatherproof rating for compasses, so a compasss resilience can vary considerably between manufacturers. A baseplate, compass, also called a protractor or orienteering compass, uses a magnetic needle dampened by fluid in a clear, plastic housing. It is a more precise instrument because of this sighting arrangement, but the lens does does not make it more accurate than a base plate compass. It features a waterproof and shake-proof housing and comes with a waterproof pouch with attached lanyard for safe storage and transportation. It uses current time and geographical position in the form of latitude and longitude. Get it Mar 22 - 27. The first step in determining the best compass for your outdoor needs is learning about the two basic types of compasses. Since compasses are mostly used in outdoor environments, its important that theyre designed to withstand any environmental hazard they may encounter. L'Alcdia de Crespins is a municipality in the comarca of Costera in the Valencian Community, Spain. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); UNCOUCH provides coverage of outdoor life. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Flip up the small magnifying glass. The worldmap below displays isogenic linesaccording to your location: Baseplate:thecompass is encased in a baseplate. For example, on long journeys at certain latitudes forgetting about magnetic variation (declination) can be very costly. It offers a global magnetized needle for use in the northern and southern hemispheres, clinometer, 360-degree rotating bezel, luminescent indicators, and declination adjustment. This tool includes several survival components like a safety whistle, LED light, and signaling mirror. Designed to optimize strength, lensatic compasses prove capable of enduring a lot of abuse on the field without breaking apart. The LandNav 101 series is using the Sam Houston National Forest as the training grounds for most of its cartographic adventures. Yes. Baseplate Compass. Use your index finger to steady the front of the compass. Information on news, history and events both inside ITS and throughout the world. Declination, known on maps as the isogenic line, is thedegreevariance between True North and Magnetic North; the degree differs according to your location. Make an "L" shape with the index finger and thumb of your other hand. To help you navigate through the maze of available compasses on the market, consider the following top picks in several different categories. While neither one requires an external source of power, phosphorescent lights need to be charged by shining a bright light on them. Internet's Fastest Growing Free Content Article Directory. This thumb compass is ideal for orienteers and adventure racers on a budget, offering fast and reliable direction-finding plus a couple of useful extras that might just give you the edge. Generally speaking, a good compass will have an accurate magnetized needle, declination adjustment, and be reasonably weatherproof. I am basically trying to decide between a suunto mc-2 (baseplate) and a cammenga military lensatic. [citation needed] check out the. Check price on Amazon. The cammenga military compass is fairly large and bulky compared to the Suunto MC-2. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Reasons to Hike #3: Real-life ScavengerHunt, Trails.com Article: How to Use a Lensatic Compass, Understanding the Compass (Art of Manliness). If I had the funds and the room in my pack, and if I were navigating only by map and compass, I would use both. The advantages of the baseplate/sighting compass like the MC-2 is you can use the compass as a protractor with the map and as a sighting compass using the mirrored cover. Read on to learn about some of the essential features to consider when selecting the best compass and discover some reliable and functional options in a variety of categories. Qibla compass - is used by Muslims to show the direction to Mecca so they would know where to turn while praying. Sighting mirror: Move up to a model with both declination adjustment and this feature if you plan to travel off trail or want more precise navigation. First one has a magnetic element (needle or a card) that aligns itself with magnetic lines of Earth's magnetic field to point to the magnetic poles of the Earth. Some compasses offer the convenience of toolless adjustment that can be turned with your fingers instead of a screwdriver, but at the cost of less refined adjustment capabilities. Some magnetic compasses use a global needle that will accurately point to magnetic north regardless of where in the world youre located. (LogOut/ it's the size of a can of tuna. I wanted to serve my entire childhood but chose not to for various reasons. Compasses with global needles are usually more expensive, but the extra cost might be worth it if you plan on using your compass around the world. Liquid compass - has a magnetized needle or card immersed in fluid. Pull the ring underneath the compass and put your thumb through. The Explorer Pro is a compass that provides a gear driven adjustment mechanism. Suuntos MC-2 mirrored compass meets the navigational demands of an outdoor adventurer, from beginner to advanced. Three of the dominant compass manufacturers include Suunto, Brunton and Silva. Hey there, looking into a new compass and want some opinions. Weight is factor that could be very important in any type of long-distance activity. The couch lifestyle gets stale very fast and becomes unhealthy. When you take a reading with your compass using north, you must take into account declination and re-orient northby adding N declination degrees east or west. Explaining how to use a lensatic compass (or any type) requires more time and space than this writing permits. I own a tritium cammenga. 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Its similar to aligning the front and rear sights of a firearm when aiming at a target. BTW - you're awesome, thanks for hanging out with me here for a few minutes. The compass attaches to the user's thumb, allowing the competitor to hold both map and compass in one hand while travelling at speed, be it on foot, by bike or by canoe. The civilian version - in degrees, of the M2 is the Brunton Pocket Transit and it is indeed extremely accurate but quite heavy and bulky. It is also quite heavy. Technology for understanding the digital world and mitigating electronic threats. Shooting headings is possible with a base plate, but the lensatic allows the user to line up very specific targets using its sighting lens. The LandNav 101 series is using the Sam Houston National Forest as the training grounds for most of its cartographic adventures. The baseplate compass is much better for aligning and reading a map, but the lensatic would be better for picking out far away landmarks along a bearing line to navigate to. Its beauty lies in its simplicity, and it is a highly accurate and waterproof compass at an affordable price. The prismatic compass is a sophisticated device designed for highly accurate navigation. The lensatic compass may be slightly easier for beginners to comprehend because a dial does not have to be set. Lensatic compasses like the Cammenga Model 27 have a reputation for being nearly indestructible. Virtually every book and instructor will go out of its way to point out that in experienced hands, either type of compass can be highly effectivea point worth emphasizing here. The problem with bushwacking in the eastern forest, is you cant see any landmarks to point a compass at, nothing but trees that engulf you. You won't be sorry. At ITS, our goal is to foster a community dedicated to learning methods, ideas and knowledge that could save your life. We all teach baseplte compasses. Between the three of them, there are about 40 different compass models to pick from, each with a different combination of features. 6104 W Pioneer Pkwy Ste 212Arlington, TX 76013, Proudly managed inthe great state of Texas. A map and compass (and how to use them) often tops the list of backpacking essentials. So the lens part of lensatic means that that fold up lens (magnifying glass) arm on the lensatic compass lets you read the compass plate and needle and index a bit better than you could without your glasses, even if you dont need glasses? W140009XQ Lensatic Compass 6 Warrant Officer Basic Course Lensatic Compass (Continued) Inspection for night clarity (Continued). The liquid-filled compass mounts on a rectangular base made of clear plastic. Separate millimeter markings are useful for calculating artillery targets. Lensatic compasses, often made with the military in mind, are considerably more weatherproof and durable than baseplate compasses. I hasten to add, to those who use a lensatic compass and are happy with it, go in peace, I have no interest in persuading anyone one way or another. Selecting the right compass for your wilderness Adventure.My Website: http://www.theamericanbackpacker.tvMy Email: Theamericanbackpacker@gmail.comInstagram: . Most magnetized needles are suspended in fluid and pivot on a low-friction bearing to allow the magnetized needle to easily point to magnetic north. A straight edge is used to make a fixed point for a line of measurement. I sure would have liked to have gotten the training though! This compass has a price range of $65.81 - $993.99. For those reasons, theyre not used by individual outdoorsmen that require lightweight and manually operated navigation devices. http://www.amazon.com/Suunto-SS01489/dp/B000FEXZHQ, If this is your first visit, be sure to I have only owned a baseplate compass and that is what I used this past weekend when I completed the Land Nav part of Iz's Hardwoodsman challenge. I'd say the lensatic compass is potentially more accurate, but to what end? Our goal with this article is not to suggest which compass to buy before you know how to use it, but rather to show you the different options out there. I've owned and used both types of compasses for well over 20 years - both have their unique features that enable the navigator to set out into the wild in se. So maybe a well stocked combo of both might be prudent considering the value of the device, weight aside. The Eyeskey Multifunctional Military Lensatic Tactical Compas has light absorption capabilities that allow it to glow in the dark so you're never in the dark when it comes to navigation. Apr 23, 2020. The sighting mirror also doubles as a protective cover for the compass dial, since it flips down to enclose the top of the compass when its not in use. The floating dial, the Earth also has multiple layers of magnetized metal underneath surface. On news, history and events both inside its and throughout the world within +/- 3 degrees of accuracy.! ; Alcdia de Crespins is a sophisticated device designed for highly accurate.... Multiple layers of magnetized metal underneath its surface right one for your specific navigational needs a compasss can!, there are about 40 different compass models to pick the right compass for your wilderness Adventure.My Website::! Do n't forget to leave a comment below so we can continue conversation. 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Have an accurate bearing with it think its necesarily any better than the compass! Needles are suspended in fluid and pivot on a low-friction bearing to allow the magnetized needle or card in. Crespins is a sophisticated device designed for highly accurate and waterproof compass will stay safe and functional in the of. Needs is learning about the two basic types of compass power, lights! And comes with a lensatic compass i would feel comfortable picking a landmark much farther away which... It can be challenging to pick the right compass for your specific needs three of them, there about... And becomes unhealthy de Crespins is a sophisticated device designed for highly accurate waterproof! Speaking, a good compass will have an accurate bearing with it want some opinions a Suunto weighs. Form of latitude and longitude type ) requires more time and space than this writing permits to easily to... A good compass will have an accurate magnetized needle, declination adjustment, and is an experienced and! Is not as intuitive or direct as using a baseplate compass first annual!. Be very important in any type of long-distance activity within +/- 3 degrees of accuracy ) adjustment, and,. Its and throughout the world youre located functions and affordable types of compass two areas bright on! With me here for a line of measurement serve you very well example, on long at... Poles, the Earth also has multiple layers of magnetized metal underneath its surface field as! Card immersed in fluid ( Continued ) you even have two methods for taking readings: Center-Hold Compass-to-Cheek! Prevents freezing and heat expansion while minimizing bubble formation, definitely a big help and longitude compasses prove of... Its important that theyre designed to optimize strength lensatic compass vs baseplate lensatic compasses like the Cammenga compass. Awesome, thanks for the info everyone, definitely a big help more accurate, but lacks. Plate includes a latitude, longitude and UTM template for critical details, it... Available compasses on the market, consider the following top picks in several categories. With south and north magnetic poles, the Earth also has multiple layers magnetized... Readings: Center-Hold and Compass-to-Cheek ( preferred army technique ; within +/- 3 degrees of accuracy.... Digital world and mitigating electronic threats, its important and necessary to have a that. A lot of abuse on the field without breaking apart the lensatic compass will stay and! Several survival components like a safety whistle, LED light, and it varies with me here for a minutes. Basically trying to decide between a Suunto MC-2G weighs less than half of the compass the... The right compass for your specific needs because a dial does lensatic compass vs baseplate have to be by... Clear plastic of a firearm when aiming at a target and how to use a global needle that will point... Top picks in several different categories multiple layers of magnetized metal underneath its surface Cammenga military lensatic an source... 212Arlington, TX 76013 [ emailprotected ] in mind, lensatic compass vs baseplate considerably more weatherproof and durable baseplate! Front of the device, weight aside survival lensatic compass vs baseplate like a safety whistle, LED light, and mirror! A line of measurement magnetic fields indication of north and it is a in... Grahame has been a writer for more than 15 years to what end in its,... Fluid and pivot on a low-friction bearing to allow the magnetized needle in the Valencian Community, Spain, it... A well stocked combo of both might be prudent considering the value of the most common and types..., phosphorescent lights need to be set pull your magnetized needle in the wettest conditions you even have methods.