To help recall how variation is used try the saying "In the west, truth is greater than magnetism." I couldn't see your variation. Say it was 15. You know your map is west of about Chicago. So true heading is greater than mag. Lay the baseplate along a longitude line and rotate the map so 345 is under the index line. Nice tip on aligning the glow in the dark bar with the north arrow at this time.
I have a competition coming up with day and night land navigation. Are there any other tricks that can help me find my points? I know the basics of map reading, but are there any advanced techniques you know?
@dranuahsnauj Nope. Everything I know I know is in here. When I come up with something else I know, I'll make the time, and find a new presentation camera and put it up here.
Oh, well except maybe: Practice. Use your general skills when just driving around town. Pace count inside the grocery store. Etc. Practice until it's all second nature.
I'm a backpacker who has always used a base plate compass with USGS 1:24k topos. Can a lensatic compass be used with 1:24k maps? As someone who has always used the 1-2-3 method with a compass that has adjustable declination, the lensatic theory does confuse me a bit.
@rayman1968 Of course. The only thing that can possibly cause trouble is if you have to use the compass for scale. And not all baseplates have the same scale systems built into them. The USGI lensatic doesn't really have one at all, and it's all direct measurement.
Anyway, if you might need to use maps of arbitrary scale (but which DO have a scale) then there's a nice trick... which I cannot find on the internet. Continued in next post...
This video was extremely precise, informative, and to the point. If only the majority of people who made youtube videos actually took the time to make an informative video, instead of just making a video to "hear themselves talk"!!!
@wcoy79 Thanks... these confuse the hell out of my 11 year old. Assumes my boringness would mean no one watches them. At least 20% of my enjoyment of this is that it's fun to baffle children.
Sadly, would do you no good. The nature of surplus is that some places have good stuff for a bit, then don't. Google around and you'll find it eventually.
Nice video. You make this subject really easy to understand.. I always thought compasses were way more complicated than this. My only gripe is that the price of the Lensatic compass I'm looking at is really high.
@themadicewarrior Because it's not a 1-2-3 compass. On those, the baseplate is just a plate and you can twist anything anyway you want. This style has some stuff fixed to the base, so orientation matters.
@tiggerr42431 I have had problems with radio at some times like this, but unless the conventional distance from a metal object (e.g. leaning against the fence around a substation) I get nothing from this.
Sure, I've heard of it, but forgot to mention it because I have never actually encountered it, and wonder if it's an old wives tale. Anyone ever observed compass drift from overhead power lines or similar?
@shoobe01 Sounds painful. My JROTC orienteering team won 2nd place today at a meet. The home team was suppose to win, but they didn't even place in the top 3 schools. Hooah
thats sweet. i just found my gramps old lensatic compass and had no idea it could do more than point north...cuz im an idiot like that. glad im learning!
@Meanstoend simple. Look at the date the map was published (often, this is repeated right next to the declination chart for this reason). The sign (+/-) should be in the adjustment. Then, do the math: If +6' for each year, and it's been 10 years, add 60'. Which is 1°.
Which is a lot. Usually it's seconds per year, and when I do the math, it's still a negligible difference as long as I stay on the map. Do notice signs and subtract if that's what's needed. Oops, out of room...
... continued: If you are using a lensatic USGI compass as in the videos, you should draw the new line (carefully!) onto the declination diagram. Note that you did this, what year, etc. so others can know its valid, or too old and time to do it again.
thought i wasnt gonna like my lensatic compass, it isn't exactlly like the one in this vid it does not lock. but ne way, neat to learn , how to oreint compass on magnetic north orienting line and then turn map with compass. I like tht. thought i was needing to trash my lensatic compass and get a silve or something. now ill just spend my money on a garmin gecko or something thanks.
For i think it is 100 dollars per yr. per state, on national geographic . com u can get as many topo maps as u want. So not bad if u do a lot of hiking, considering one topo is atleast 10 bucks.
ok im confused when u line the black on the declination diagram did u have to adjust for the G-M angle or does it already account for that angle? once u rtotated the map and the graudation ring, u aligned the base of the compass to the points on ur map...how r u reading the compass...R u going in the direction the black line is pointing?
Yup. The point of using the declination diagram directly (lining up on it) is that you don't have to read it, and dial in the adjustment. If everything went well, it's all ready for you.
This is not true for some foreign maps, and for other types of plotting (with 1-2-3 compasses, for example). A key feature of this plot-while-oriented thing the USGI lensatic does.
@shoobe01 Hey, where do I get accurate detailed maps like that of my hometown areas? All I can get is road maps and the small ones out of the phonebook.
You can't really buy US military maps, as far as I know. A few random ones can be found at surplus stores sometimes, but it won't be for places you live, so is only so useful.
The two things I do, aside from making them with severe complexity, are:
1) Buy USGS maps. Ticks on the sides are labeled as 1000m UTM grids. Draw lines in pencil across the map.
2) I guess maybe I can't post URLs, so Google for "USNG Google Maps." First hit is to a mashup with USNG overlaid on googlemaps. USNG (US National Grid) is basically MGRS. Zoom in far enough, and check "on" the 1km grids. Print it and enjoy.
The thin black line (which I point to with the pencil and discuss around 1:45) is fixed to the compass housing (doesn't rotate). So, it's perfectly parallel with the side of the compass, which then is perfectly parallel with the MN line on the declination table, which is the whole point of aligning the map. Ask again if that did not answer it.
Nice video.
To help recall how variation is used try the saying "In the west, truth is greater than magnetism." I couldn't see your variation. Say it was 15. You know your map is west of about Chicago. So true heading is greater than mag. Lay the baseplate along a longitude line and rotate the map so 345 is under the index line. Nice tip on aligning the glow in the dark bar with the north arrow at this time.
gershonbenfranja 1 month ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Question where could I get a map like that? To practice.
grnbrt777 1 month ago
Question where could I get a map like that? To practice.
grnbrt777 1 month ago
Question where could I get a map like that? To practice.
grnbrt777 1 month ago
Question where could I get a map like that?
grnbrt777 1 month ago
Is this also the proper way to orient your map for land navigation?
Lovelife627 5 months ago
@Lovelife627 yes
joeyXDface 4 months ago
....and, i still dont understand this "Einstain" compass
mikilofo90 7 months ago
What about lateral drift?
amngilbert 8 months ago
Hey Sir,
I have a competition coming up with day and night land navigation. Are there any other tricks that can help me find my points? I know the basics of map reading, but are there any advanced techniques you know?
dranuahsnauj 9 months ago
@dranuahsnauj Nope. Everything I know I know is in here. When I come up with something else I know, I'll make the time, and find a new presentation camera and put it up here.
Oh, well except maybe: Practice. Use your general skills when just driving around town. Pace count inside the grocery store. Etc. Practice until it's all second nature.
shoobe01 9 months ago
Great video! Where can I get that type of a map?
MSR465 11 months ago 2
Hi Shoobe,
I'm a backpacker who has always used a base plate compass with USGS 1:24k topos. Can a lensatic compass be used with 1:24k maps? As someone who has always used the 1-2-3 method with a compass that has adjustable declination, the lensatic theory does confuse me a bit.
rayman1968 11 months ago
@rayman1968 Of course. The only thing that can possibly cause trouble is if you have to use the compass for scale. And not all baseplates have the same scale systems built into them. The USGI lensatic doesn't really have one at all, and it's all direct measurement.
Anyway, if you might need to use maps of arbitrary scale (but which DO have a scale) then there's a nice trick... which I cannot find on the internet. Continued in next post...
shoobe01 11 months ago
Drat. Tried and it's confusing without pictures. Remind me next weekend if I haven't put anything up.
shoobe01 11 months ago
that was badass!
87PowerMan 1 year ago
This video was extremely precise, informative, and to the point. If only the majority of people who made youtube videos actually took the time to make an informative video, instead of just making a video to "hear themselves talk"!!!
wcoy79 1 year ago 3
@wcoy79 Thanks... these confuse the hell out of my 11 year old. Assumes my boringness would mean no one watches them. At least 20% of my enjoyment of this is that it's fun to baffle children.
shoobe01 1 year ago
Sadly, would do you no good. The nature of surplus is that some places have good stuff for a bit, then don't. Google around and you'll find it eventually.
shoobe01 1 year ago
Nice video. You make this subject really easy to understand.. I always thought compasses were way more complicated than this. My only gripe is that the price of the Lensatic compass I'm looking at is really high.
buttercow12 1 year ago
@buttercow12 Look through other comments for my response to this. You want to get used. Budget $20-30. Yes, for a tritium illuminated one.
shoobe01 1 year ago
@shoobe01 Thanks for the reply.. Would you mind sending me the link where you bought yours?
buttercow12 1 year ago
i got my great uncles compass he used in korea about 3 years ago.im just now trying to figure it out.
maclarn91 1 year ago
Why do you need to line it up with magnetic north?
themadicewarrior 1 year ago
@themadicewarrior Because it's not a 1-2-3 compass. On those, the baseplate is just a plate and you can twist anything anyway you want. This style has some stuff fixed to the base, so orientation matters.
Try it both ways, and see what happens.
shoobe01 1 year ago
Be careful near a power pole or line with a transformer as well.
tiggerr42431 1 year ago
@tiggerr42431 I have had problems with radio at some times like this, but unless the conventional distance from a metal object (e.g. leaning against the fence around a substation) I get nothing from this.
Sure, I've heard of it, but forgot to mention it because I have never actually encountered it, and wonder if it's an old wives tale. Anyone ever observed compass drift from overhead power lines or similar?
shoobe01 1 year ago
Map Protractor and compass - protractorandcompass. com
mariomadayag 1 year ago
what scale is that map?
0122358 1 year ago
@0122358 its looks like its 1 over 50,000
DeviaPeregrinus 1 year ago
@0122358 indeed, 1:50,000.
shoobe01 1 year ago
@shoobe01 thank you sir...
0122358 1 year ago
@shoobe01 Most military maps are.
holyhermit1 1 year ago
@holyhermit1 No, most /large scale/ military maps are. Lots of smaller scale maps for other types of planning, and especially air nav.
Sometime, if bored, I may talk about hacking an air map for land nav. It's not fun, and there's no detail, but it can be done.
shoobe01 1 year ago
@shoobe01 Sounds painful. My JROTC orienteering team won 2nd place today at a meet. The home team was suppose to win, but they didn't even place in the top 3 schools. Hooah
holyhermit1 1 year ago
@0122358
it's a MGRS 1:50,000 ,each grid square is a kilometer so one meter of map represents 50,000 meters of earth
kman20022 1 year ago
protractorandcompass. com
mariomadayag 1 year ago
militarycompass .us
mariomadayag 1 year ago
Where could I get a good military style map like that for my local area?
panzerkilla 1 year ago
@panzerkilla look in older comments. I have answered it before and there are some options.
shoobe01 1 year ago
thats sweet. i just found my gramps old lensatic compass and had no idea it could do more than point north...cuz im an idiot like that. glad im learning!
swood07413 1 year ago
On my map next to the MN, it says 6' for every year. How do I account for this? Thanks.
Meanstoend 1 year ago
@Meanstoend simple. Look at the date the map was published (often, this is repeated right next to the declination chart for this reason). The sign (+/-) should be in the adjustment. Then, do the math: If +6' for each year, and it's been 10 years, add 60'. Which is 1°.
Which is a lot. Usually it's seconds per year, and when I do the math, it's still a negligible difference as long as I stay on the map. Do notice signs and subtract if that's what's needed. Oops, out of room...
shoobe01 1 year ago
... continued: If you are using a lensatic USGI compass as in the videos, you should draw the new line (carefully!) onto the declination diagram. Note that you did this, what year, etc. so others can know its valid, or too old and time to do it again.
shoobe01 1 year ago
Your series of videos are clear and concise. Thanks. I am now a subscriber!
2002flstci 1 year ago
Hey, thank you SO much for taking the time and filming this! It has really helped me understand how to use my lensatic compass for declination.
Again, thank you. :o)
mysticalwoodsman 1 year ago
thought i wasnt gonna like my lensatic compass, it isn't exactlly like the one in this vid it does not lock. but ne way, neat to learn , how to oreint compass on magnetic north orienting line and then turn map with compass. I like tht. thought i was needing to trash my lensatic compass and get a silve or something. now ill just spend my money on a garmin gecko or something thanks.
trooper2221 1 year ago
For i think it is 100 dollars per yr. per state, on national geographic . com u can get as many topo maps as u want. So not bad if u do a lot of hiking, considering one topo is atleast 10 bucks.
trooper2221 1 year ago
ok im confused when u line the black on the declination diagram did u have to adjust for the G-M angle or does it already account for that angle? once u rtotated the map and the graudation ring, u aligned the base of the compass to the points on ur map...how r u reading the compass...R u going in the direction the black line is pointing?
musikfor2 2 years ago
Yup. The point of using the declination diagram directly (lining up on it) is that you don't have to read it, and dial in the adjustment. If everything went well, it's all ready for you.
This is not true for some foreign maps, and for other types of plotting (with 1-2-3 compasses, for example). A key feature of this plot-while-oriented thing the USGI lensatic does.
shoobe01 2 years ago
@shoobe01 Hey, where do I get accurate detailed maps like that of my hometown areas? All I can get is road maps and the small ones out of the phonebook.
asianwannabeamerican 2 years ago
You can't really buy US military maps, as far as I know. A few random ones can be found at surplus stores sometimes, but it won't be for places you live, so is only so useful.
The two things I do, aside from making them with severe complexity, are:
(500 character limit. See next)
shoobe01 2 years ago
1) Buy USGS maps. Ticks on the sides are labeled as 1000m UTM grids. Draw lines in pencil across the map.
2) I guess maybe I can't post URLs, so Google for "USNG Google Maps." First hit is to a mashup with USNG overlaid on googlemaps. USNG (US National Grid) is basically MGRS. Zoom in far enough, and check "on" the 1km grids. Print it and enjoy.
shoobe01 2 years ago
The thin black line (which I point to with the pencil and discuss around 1:45) is fixed to the compass housing (doesn't rotate). So, it's perfectly parallel with the side of the compass, which then is perfectly parallel with the MN line on the declination table, which is the whole point of aligning the map. Ask again if that did not answer it.
shoobe01 2 years ago
Comment removed
blh53 2 years ago
Do you mean I did something wrong (possible when just talking through it, vs. actually navigating) or /why/ do you do that?
And, gimme a timecode so I can look at the specific part of the video.
shoobe01 2 years ago
thx
killer231233 2 years ago