Actually shocked how easy that was. I had to watch this a few times to see if I was missing something. Perfectly explained, so many people make seem so much harder than it needs to be. Thank you.
@@verysurvival Hey hi! I was wondering about magnetic declination adjustment with the 1 2 3 method, also if you line your map up to magnetic north? Also does the red arrow on the bezel ring have to point to north grid on the map? I hope you can find the time to answer these questions. Thanks Elly
@@ellysabourin2229 if you know how to adjust for declination you can easily incorporate into the 123 method. do not line the map up with magnetic north, but Yes the red arrow must point north on the map , it must point to the top of the map page
TLDR: 1. Align the baseline of compass along the route of travel (take note of the map scale and distance of travel needed) 2. Rotate the housing (orienteering lines) so they're parallel with the north-south gridlines on the map 3. Move the compass around until the red magnetic needle sits inside the red engraved arrow in the compass housing. The direction of travel arrow should now be pointing in the direction you wish to travel. Bonus step: walk towards a landmark in your direction of travel, and once you get there repeat steps 1-3
What he failed to mention in the video is that when you align the baseline of the compass to the route you want to take, you should ensure that the direction of travel arrow is also pointing the right way, otherwise you will end up going the exact opposite direction you want to. I guess the remaining 30 odd percent that isn't covered by this video concerns magnetic deviation, but that isn't too much of a problem over relatively short distances.
@@derek-z8s so when he moved those lines parallel with the grid lines on the map... was there not 2 choices really Was something unsaid about him putting the red arrow "up"?
@@derek-z8s nvm I think I see what happened from watching this other one about red in the shed or whatever He essentially accomplished that by putting the thing on the map diagonally and not wanting to go north east this time
@@Mr0rris0 Setting the red arrow 'up' merely aligns the bezel of the compass with north. But if the baseplate is 180 degrees out, then you have set the compass up to travel in the opposite direction to the one you want. When lining up the baseplate with your route on the map, it is important that the direction of travel arrow on the compass does indeed point in the driection you want to go. He didn't mention that, and I have seen people making that mistake in the field.
Wow I've watched other videos and felt like an idiot. But you explained it so clearly! 1)Line up the baseline to the direction you want to go 2)Line up the parallel to North lines 3) Don't move the compass and walk where the direction arrow is pointing. Thank you so much! 🙂
It seems to me many/most compass videos don't really do a good job of explaining the "why" of the steps of using a compass. Instead, they focus on the "how". People (at least I) used to forget the steps, until I learned the rationale behind the steps. It helped me to just remember that a baseplate (orienteering) compass was just a combination of essentially two tools: a ruler and a protractor. You use the ruler part to draw or establish your line of travel, and then use the protractor to determine your angle of travel with respect to north. Remembering those two simple steps will allow you to use most any compass. Many thanks.
This reminds me of a question in a quiz from high school we once had in class back in Sheffield which was: "How do you measure the height of a building using a sextant?" We were all puzzled since a sextant is a naval reading instrument. Finally my mate Jack came up with what we thought was a clever solution: 1. Climb to the very top of the building. 2. Grab your sextant and point it to the horizon making sure that it is quite level. 3 Tie the sextant to a long rope and lower it until it reaches the ground. 4. Make a mark to the top of the rope. 5. Measure the rope. Brilliant!!!! I wish my mate Jack was here for this 1,2,3 tutorial explanation. ha-ha-ha.
I have just acquired a silva compass, and this was the first video on how to use it correctly. Thank you immensely for the clear and concise explanation.
simply brilliant got my mountain leader this year not really done much map reading since leaving the military but this is a memory jogger great upload subbed🇬🇧👍☕
I’ve never navigated with a map or compass and with state of the world at present hiking is definitely something I’m taking up so this is definitely a useful video! Thank you!
I remeber learning land navigation in cadets as a kid and i know 1 and 3 but i knew there was another step somthing to do with the red arrow and as soon as you told us it clicked and now i wont forget again, thanks for doing this episode
I navigated the north of dartmoor for two days using this system,for the first time ever,i took my time,didnt rush,checked and checked again,spot on,didnt get lost,hit all my destination points,and very enjoyable too,thanks for this,really helpful,and ive added another skill 👍
I really appreciate your channel, I am still trying to wrap my head around the simplicity of this, the map is not oriented to MN with or without declination and IT WORKS!
Very helpful!! I read the instruction that came with my Silva compass but didn't understand them at all. You made it much clearer!! One thing that concerns me is, what if I'm lost? Then I don't know where I am to start orienting myself in the first place. Fingers crossed that doesn't happen.
Hi, you have two alternatives. You can explore until you find a landmark that you can identfy on the map. Or you can Triangulate using distant landmarks, Which is a technique that I can't explain in a comment reply ;-) if you google map triangulation you will get some ideas
Can’t thank you enough, first time I’ve ever really understood how to use a compass. What if I’m backpacking and get off the trail and am not sure where I’m at? In other words, I want to get to that lake you mention, but I’m not sure where I’m at on the map to do step 1?
You have a couple of strategies. The most accurate and fastest is triangulation. You need to find at least 2 distant points that you can see and recognise on the Map. For example Radio Masts, high hills or mountains. It is hard to explain in in words, but you take a direction to these different points draw lines on the map and where they cross is where you are. But problem is if you can't see anything like if you are in a forest or there just is no landmarks you recognise. Then hopefully you can take a guess at your location and try to move to a place that you can place on the map. Say you are in a Forest and you are kinda lost but you know that somewhere in a westerly direction there is a river. Walk West until you hit the river and then you should have a better chance of placing your self on the map.
Great simple video. I’ve ran many fell races/ultra runs and map and compass has been mandatory race kit, I’ve always carried them but never actually known how to use them incase of an emergency. Thanks again, looking forward to practicing this.
Superb video. Use this method to teach but didn't know its origin. The extra 25% is declination, using scales, triangulation and a couple of extras but everything bases off this foundation. Well done.
Excellent job mate very easy to follow - bad pun but really you are spot on I am a retired military veteran been on countless land navigation military exercises Bravo Zulu job well done
Very interesting. I bought my Silve type 15T Ranger 45 years ago when I was doing field studies for my A level geology. I still occasionally use it today despite all the modern GPS stuff.
a very useful bit of knowledge...folks these days rely too much on GPS...hell they don't even teach Script in most American schools these days...get a compass and learn the basics!!!...very important and a very good video David...woods
Thanks for your video on the basics. No doubt , this video has inspired many to continue on learning more. Your book recommendation is excellent and where I started over 50 years ago. All the best.
The lensatic compasses do have some advantages, most notably that they are very accurate when taking bearings. Also, in my opinion, they are more ergonomic to use. The problem with them is that they have to be relatively decently built, and it looks like you only have two choices: extremely cheap, shoddily built ones, or extremely expensive, well built ones. For the average hiker, a baseplate compass is more than sufficient.
@@juslitorYes. And a baseplate compass has a lot of advantages for hikers. It's much easier to get a walking direction from a map with it than with any other kind of compass, and that's mostly what you do as a hiker. 75% is the number quoted in the video, but I think that's closer to 95%. It's also lighter and easier to pack in any kind of pocket. They're also cheaper.
Just bought a new model Silva Expedition ( adjustable declination) so I needed the new info. I will check your videos for "declination for Rookies " 🤣🤣🤣
Great video I have taken compass and map reading classes and if ya don't use it you lose it. I am going to start training again with compass and topo map since we just moved to Utah. THANKS
A swede here, you just taught me what gym class in school and all other instructional videos couldnt, and you did it in minutes haha. Bad teachers have a way of making things complicated.
@@verysurvival Indeed, although I may be a bit retarded because I also didnt know what physics meant or was even about after 3 years of it in school too, but also horrible teacher and worst learning books ive ever seen. And now as an adult I think physics is interesting and willingly look into it😂 I will admit I did partake in the devils lettuce during those school years as well
Nice video indeed! My compass doesn't have a ruler, hopefully I'll manage without it as it's just an old school type of round brass compass, but knowing how to use it with 3 simple steps is good to know.
Great video. I had to watch it twice as I missed the third step the first time and confused myself lol. Crystal clear now though! I haven’t worried too much about navigation up until now as I live on Dartmoor and you can normally see the landmark you are aiming at. Got caught in the mist the other day though and this would have been useful!
I just started getting into compass navigation. You never mentioned anything about magnetic declination. Is the compass you are using already adjusted is that why you didn’t have to move the map?
Thank you so much for your excellent basic explanation of how to use a compass. I've just purchased my first compass and i wanted an introduction on how to use it and this was just perfect. Time to practice i think...
Thanks it's been a long time since I've had to use navigation skills and I'm doing Cape Wrath trail in a few weeks Thanks for the video it's all coming back now 👌😊
Thanks for making this video. I’m going to make long motorcycle trips and realised that the battery on my phone won’t always be reliable and then what? So I’m needing to learn how to read a map and use a compass for those times. I’m a complete novice and I have just found this video. You did a great job of instructing here. I actually feel like it might just be doable - as in, I might just be capable of learning it, despite there being numbers involved (I think I must be number blind - either that or thick) anyhow, I would like to get out and try it after watching this. I’m unable to go out at the moment (back injury) and while I’m waiting for the book you recommended, can you recommend any videos for newbies that I can watch? Thanks.
Great video refreshed memory. we have a team 16 mile charity night walk in a couple of weeks. Any tips for navigation in the dark would be much appreciated! Thanks for great video
Just bought the book, although a 1967 edition with a map and practice compass and protractor in the back of it. I would imagine not much has changed in the latest edition, the basics will still be the same in either book...🎅👍👍
Humble Trekker I was in the Sea Scouts, so we spent more time in canoes than the country side. It’s a bit fuzzy, but I seem to remember there was lots of map turning and confusion.
Sea scouts! Whole different ball game I expect. They probably taught you maritime navigation principles. That’s fun but it tends to get taught a more detailed way. On the other hand running into a rock with a shiney Destroyer is a pretty big deal so worth a good explanation. !
Ok so from 3.10 to 3.40 on the video the connection is that you lifted the compass from the map and then turned your body until the arrow faced north and that was the direction is that it? You did not read any degrees of the circle or anything, you just lifted the compass and ...am I understanding this?
Great info, I take it that when you turn the bezel to line up whith the grid lines on the map ,that the red arrow between the lines should point to the top of the map ? Or have I missed something ? I'm new at this, thanks. Best wishes. Stuart.
haha...is kompas without a map useless ?? you will not get an answer.If you go to mushrooms you do not take a map with you.If you get lost a whistle helps you more then the kompas without a map ? I am wrong ?
