I was super confused the whole video until you got to the part with the 10.5 degree azimuth conversion, then it all clicked finally. I feel pretty cocky now, like I have a super power lol. The Army still teaches this, not because they dont issue gps devices but because you have to be prepared if they fail. I failed this when i went through basic in 95 and never learned it. Thank you!
Thank you so much for this simple explanation! But I do have one question...do you have to be actually on site to take a proper map bearing with a Lensatic Compass? I am practicing plotting bearings (at home) using a map & compass, and checking my numbers with Google Earth; but my numbers are off :( Even when I account for declination. Not sure what I am, or not, doing correctly. Going from a transparent baseplate (with alignment lines) to a floating dial with degrees, is a learning curve for me apparently.
Hi, massp0108. No, you do not need to be on location. This could all be done back in the team room or at your house as long as you have a map of the area you will traveling. However, this is intended as a rapid azimuth finder. If you have the time for mission planning, use a protractor and string because it will get you a much more accurate azimuth. Hope that helps!
Nice job I learned a couple of things but in stead of doing the math with the declaration I learned to make the magnetic grid line longer and use the line to orient the map to magnetic north first this was you don’t have to make any math
You are very correct. The technique I'm showing is mainly for when you have to get a rapid azimuth, and lining up the map and holding it on magnetic north while trying to get the bezel in the right place takes much, much, much longer (like a whole 15 seconds 😂). But, I can do this technique standing, sitting, walking, or hanging upside down from a tree branch because I don't have to worry about keeping the map oriented in any particular direction.
This is such an important video! I prefer ruggedness over convenience but I was taught with silva compasses and got those because of the ease of working with a map and not needing a protracter. Thank you!
regardless of what side the mag North is on the GM angle, don't you still use the classic formula like it says next to the GM angle map "To convert a grid azimuth to mag N ADD GM angle?" and subtract for Mag to grid? Even if in your region of the map shows Mag N left of the GM angle Grid North going from Grid to North you would still add? Turn bezel right?
Also, if you site something in the distance, like a target. You snap the bezel ring down, it will lock the dial. Then just put the arrow straight north and the 0 on the scale on your position. Whatever you estimate the distance just plot that along the distance scale.
Holy shit! I was taking all kinds of fire of the SF recruiting BN video of land nav at Mackall. I was trying to teach this and all these guys were talking shit. Glad someone else knows it, thanks alot!
Thats a great, clear description of a really simple way to remember. On a side note. I recently updated a few of my 25 yr old topo maps for my local area here in Australia My old maps, as yours there have perfectly lat and long lines. My new maps, the lines ara a pale blue and sooo faint, even with mglasses on, and under bright table lamp , they are almost invisible. They are disgraceful. A second thing on the new map...no declination diagram. K ust written, ," Mag north ís approx 13.04° East of grid North. I just spent an hour inking the grid lines on a brand new map.A Romer card would be impossible to use without the re inking So hard to find who to send some bad feedback to about it. Anyway, Great video mate 👍🇦🇺 Cheers from Oz Neil
I didn't. In many cases during short-distance maneuvers, you won't have a lot of time or space to lay the map out, orient it to magnetic, then use the compass to get an azimuth. This is the "I'm laying under a tarp in the middle of the night so nobody sees my red light" kind of adventure. But yes, if you have time to orient the maps grid north to the compass's magnetic north, you could skip the declination adjustments.
Would have been really, really nice if Cammenga made their compasses with a transparent bottom and given it rotating alignment lines, just like a baseplate compass. And if instead of the clicking bezel they would have went for a friction one... it would have been the absolute perfect compass.
A simple rhyme to remember as used to be taught in the UK military in my time: from mag to grid get rid (-) from grid to mag you add (+), that way you wont be adding or subtracting the value of the magnetic deviation from grid north the wrong way around, for calculating the back-bearing there is no need to flip the compass around just subtract or add half of the scale, if in mils that would be 3200 and degrees that would be 180, I must confess I have not had to use a compass in anger for 40 years tho :/
If I understand your question, you're asking whether you could do the 4 clicks (on this map) before you have lined up the bezel with grid north? If I'm misunderstanding your question, I apologize. But if I AM understanding it correctly, the short answer is no. You can't adjust for declination from a grid azimuth before you know what the azimuth is.
Practical proof that the lensatic compass works perfectly fine with a map, unlike what many people think, or they are eager to sell mirrors to the crowd... excellent video.
I have a small military protractor in my nav kit. As a backup, I carry a flexible half-moon school protractor in my nav kit. Perhaps you can do a video on plotting with a half-moon protractor. I enjoy your videos. Well done.
This video made me love my Cammenga compass even more! Not having to bring my protractor is a big improvement and makes it as easy to use as a baseplate compass. I think people are worrying too much about the three degree clicks. Most navigation is done using rough directions and backstops. Only when doing dead reckoning is the accuracy so important. Most compasses are only rated to be within 2 degrees anyway.
He states you can do the math if you want or just rotate the bezel. I would want to write down the grid azmith, do the math, write down the Mag azmith, and do the clicks. If accuracy was paramount, I would eliminate the clicks and use my math to get my field azmith.
Great technique! After doing these adjustments that you demonstrated, all i had to do was to point the magnetic arrow towards the luminous light and voila! Its oriented to my direction of travel.
It does work great if you have a 50k map. However I’ve never used anything for EIB or land nav other than 25k maps. Never understood why the compass isn’t marked on both sides.
The compass was designed to use on larger areas of traversal. Ultimately, you get four times more visible surface on a map when going from 25k to 50k. When we do land nav, we're not typically moving 20 or 30k. 50k is the nice balance between too close and too far.
After rereading your question, I realize that you may have been referring to plotting and distance estimates. You can still use the graduated straight edge on the side of the compass on a 1:25k map, you just have to take whatever your measurement was and divide it in half because the 6km on the compass is equal to 3km on the 1:25k map.
I'm new to this land nav stuff. Curious on a good compass, I have been looking and not sure what is too cheap and what is too expensive. Thanks if you get to this. Great video.
When you line up the short luminous line and the north-seeking arrow, that makes your index line point in the direction you want to travel. It is a fast way to get yourself oriented into the right direction. Did that answer your question well enough?
It certainly doesn't hurt... but it is not an absolute rule. I also am not saying to NOT orient your map: it can be very useful when picturing your route before planning your route or taking the first step.
Map orientation isn’t necessary IF using the protractor method for getting azimuths. Is this the rule you may be referring to? I’m happy you made this video. Good job on it. I always my protractor. But I believe in different methods for emergency contingency plan. P.A.C.E. Stick by it. Lol.
Oh my lord. Just get a base plate compass and save yourself lots of grief. Update: After taking more time to get into their idiosyncrasies, lensatic compass are every bit as good. Base plate compasses do the heavy lifting for you with declanation conversions but you get the same results with a lensatic with a little brain power added.
I agree that a baseplate compass with adjustable declination is a great tool.... if you're only using one map or not changing areas often. If you traverse over multiple maps, every single one will have a different declination and you will find yourself adjusting your tiny baseplate declination screw over and over. It's nice to have this additional tool in the bag.
You did a good job of breaking this down. It this just proves to me I'm incapable of learning how to use a compass after trying for more hours than I care to admit. Frustrating as shit.
You just lost A few students of mine with your video. Lol. I backed it up,and reviewed while watching myself and realized I have a better method of less confusion. So at this point I am highjacking todays video hour and giving the declination class myself minus the video.
I'm thrilled that someone was using my passion for "video hour"! I would love to hear about your better method that is less confusing; I'm always willing to try something new. Would you mind making a video of your method and posting it?
This was the least confusing video I’ve seen and I am brand new to this. Also, from your replies to other comments I’ve learned the benefits of a lensatic over a baseplate compass. Didn’t even know the 2 types existed before today.…Thank you!
Thank you. I love an old school compass...I was given one of these by my son. Love it! How do we use the magnifying glass? Is it simply toenlarge detail on your map? It looks like it should be some line of sight.... thing!
