How to Measure Distance With A Compass 

I could never grasp ' tangents' at school. After your video it is becoming clearer, and with a bit of practice I should be able to finally grasp it. Thankyou.

Just found your Channel and subscribed. It's been many years since I've had to use a compass for my job. I realize there is much I did not know back in the old days. Thanks.

Amazing man! Finally catch math with compass. Good idea❤❤

Good explanation, very clear!

Same method for angles less than about 11 degrees without needing trig functions is the following: establish the base (in this case, 10 ft, but you could use any base); take the angle; now, divide 57 by the angle and then multiply by the base. This works because the tangent of small angles of 11 degrees or less is approximately 57 divided by the degrees of the angle. Distance = base x 57/angle. You could even use 60 instead of 57 for simpler math since there is likely some error in the compass bearings taken.

Sick video! very informative :)

The height you add is the height of your eyes above the ground, rather than your height.

Excellent video...thankyou... I have a brunton 7....good tool, in addition, I have a brunton style pocket transit.....trying to get my head around east west being opposite....might make a good topic....thankyou

how did i not think of this......did so much math in my lifetime but..never crossed my mind

Good to see someone using his brain

What kind of notebook was that orange one in the video? After scrounging the internet, I think it might be an Elan or Aditpro field book. But, I don't know exactly which one. It would be nice to know because of the line spacing and conversion tables.

Love the info and the music, what is the song called?

I'm trying to do this with objects at from 1.5 to 2 miles, and then calculating the GPS offset point. My method involves the use of a laser measuring device that has a maximum of 400 feet. I turn an angle 90 degrees (just as you have done) but also add an angle 180 degrees opposite the first. The distance of the perpendicular line must be no less than 1,000 to 2,000 feet. This allows me to turn an angle of no less than 5 degrees. The angles are turned from the ends of this 1,000 to 2,000 foot line. The larger the angle (5 degrees in my case) the more accurate the calculated distance. Once I determine the distance (1.5 to 2 miles) I can then use this to determine GPS offset point. Friggin' need to write a data collection program app that does all the math. I plan to use a satellite locating compass to achieve .1 and even .05 minute accuracy for my math calculations. The true north will be pre set on a map, between two observable points, and the compas calibrated to this line, in the field, at the mountain. I need to calibrate the compas in the field, at the Glacier due to the mountain influence pulling the needle in the direction of the mountain peak. End result, highly accurate GPS offsets for search and rescue crews to recover remains with GPS drone way points. Much math, and the need for a smart phone app to crunch all the numbers. I call it 3D GPS triangulation. This is the process I plan on using after I've spotted something with the Nikon P1000, or the Leopold 60x spotting scope. Long range 60 to 500x magnification photography/video to find these remains sites only after the snow has melted off the glaciers 100%. Very difficult work.

That is just amazing how this was implemented to a game it's the same process of getting the angle subtracting 90° but it's 4.5 meters then using the compass again getting the angle getting the difference of the two angles and use the number and a graph to see how far away that object is Of course the game I'm talking about is Minecraft. Trigonometry one of the things I wanna keep experimenting with to create stuff that may or may not help

Wonderfull greetings from belize

Great video! Where did you get that orange notebook at with the list of Tangents

If I remember this correctly... If you start from your first point then walk perpendicular 90° until your target is at 45° from your current point to your first point, then measure (yes by knowing your pace count lol) distance from point 1 to point 2, you will have a very good idea of your target distance as it should be almost exactly the same as point 1 to point 2. My watch doesn't have a calculator. And I'm not one to rely on my phone to always be operational. I love these kinds of tricks with a compass. Awesome stuff with the height. I'm going to play with that tomorrow for sure! Also, you're an awesome friend for using your friends music. And anyone who doesn't like it just doesn't need to say anything about it. That's called an opinion. And others may like it. Regardless... great video man.

What brand of compass are you using?

Hi dude. Love this video. I’ve tried finding more examples on using this method in real world situations but none can be found. I am struggling to find out the full mathematical equation of how you would write it down and enter it into a calculator. Would you consider doing a more simplified detailed video of this please? I’m UK 🇬🇧 and our maps work in Km at 1:25000 (I think). I hope this isn’t a stupid question but being a numpty with learning disabilities due to my Autism I am struggling with grasping the information. Thanks.

Was your calculation correct? Did you measure the distance or height after?

where can one get the not book you are using

How do you convert this to metric?

SUPER

Does it have to be in feet or can you use metres?

smart people

Coincidence and stereoscopic rangefinders use the same principle to find out the distance. :)

What was he looking up in the book here 2:04 ?

I think it should be Tan-1 ???

And a rubber button is? (Blackadder)

Very neat but could be even better by including an estimate for the error.

Great video! You can leave the measuring tape at home, try measuring it in your strides.

This is should end in a"peace!" or "in your face!" or "boom!" Gg to science!:)):d

... and something noone asked: which camera you use?!

I thought tan=O/A

EASIER WAY: Mark the point you are observing the landmark from, "A". Count a certain number of paces--any number--, walking 90 degrees perpendicular from landmark and mark the spot, B. Walk the same number of paces in the same direction and mark your spot, C. Then turn right 90 degrees and walk until B is in line with landmark. Mark that spot D. Count the number of paces from D to C. That is the number of paces from A to the landmark.

For somebody who never hold a compas in his hand, this video is not helping at all. You can't even see what's writen on that compas in the video.

Good information, but what is with that God awful music?

The background music on your video is very irritating 😒

Wow that is so useful. Especially when you just used a tape measure to indicate your 10 feet, off to the side by 90 degrees. Completely redundant skill

That background 'muzak' is very annoying and totally unnecessary. Please lose it.

forgive me for sounding like a newbie to this. but when I divide 10 by 19, I get .52631579. what am I doing wrong?

I feel like im doing this all wrong do you have a discord or something to chat?