Sundial Compass from Harbor Freight

Just showing a sundial compass that I bought at Harbor Freight. Thought it might come in handy at a campsite.
Added note:
The sundial (in the box) weighs 170g = 5.95 ounces = .374 pounds
Not exactly a "Gran-weenie" item.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Sundial
• Compass
• Harbor
• Freight
• sun
• dial

[DrunknShooter]

According to Stanley London "The top of the sundial is hinged and a curved scale is used to set your local latitude angle.".Looks like a cool toy. Hiram, I love to see a video on how to use it at night with the flashlight. ;)

[hiramcook]

You're right about the hinge. I missed that. Must have been the bright light. LOL

[omatsu123]

It looks pretty cool. But what's the weight?

Looks more like an antique to be displayed in a shelf than a tool in outdoor.

But really a cool toy. Thanks for sharing.

[hiramcook]

Ooops, sorry about that. The sundial (in the box) weighs 170g = 5.95 ounces = .374 pounds

Not exactly a "Gran-weenie" item.

[hoz49]

No instructions?

One thought comes to mind,

Antikythera mechanism

[hiramcook]

But the Antikythera mechanism was an early analog, geared computer. This is just a sundial with a compass built in for easy setup. Good idea though.

[EconoChallenge]

I like it. But I do not want to know what time it is when I am in the wilderness. Who is with me?

[LukeLikesToHike]

True! I have purposely "forgotten" my watch at least a half dozen times when I know I'm going hiking. I've even missed a date because of it. "Hmmm lets see...chick flick or hiking...chick flick or hiking...hmmm."

[Rivieratime]

Hiram I really liked your joke about using a flashlight to tell what time it was a night. It reminded me of the story that the comedienne Gracie Allen told Harry Von Zell . She had a new electric clock that she didn't have to wind. But, she told him she only plugged in when she wanted to know what time it was.

I guess she soon noticed that it always seemed to lose time -- but it was right twice a day.

[PACER2320]

5/5

[msamour]

Like many other have set i believe this is for latitude declination in relation to where you are in relations to the sun.

[minusblame]

hiram here

[bodgerdave]

Garden furniture sundials without an adjustable gnomon are nothing more than conversation pieces.

You should also take into account your location in your time zone, east to west.Daylight Savings time will throw you off, too.

A correctly adjusted Sundial will show the natural solar time of day exactly.

The Gnomon needs to be set to Polaris at night. Will a sundial work at the Equator or at the North Pole? There is something to think about.

Such a wonderful & ancient tool for $10.

[bodgerdave]

Absolutely correct about the side scale. You need to calibrate for your location. Where I go in Ontario we are 1/2 way between the Pole & the Equator, so we would set it at 45 degrees. You can find that information on most maps. Another way to do things is to set the "Gnomom" directly at the North Star, both vertically & horizontally. Your needle indicated Magnetic North, good but not perfect. Yes. Gnomon is the technical name for the shadow maker. I think the "G" is silent.

[pedalpusher101]

I bet it is for the latitude and I know I would win the bet. I liked the joke too.