#How to use a compass how to#

The standard practice is to start at north or south and then rotate by the given angle towards east or west. You can take the bearing N25W as an example. Each of them is 22.5 degrees apart from the other There can be other non-standard bearings as well. In theory, there are 16 standard bearings in a compass. It always indicates the straight-line direction from one point to the other. The compass bearing is the direction given by the compass towards an object in terms of angles. What is a compass bearing?īasically, the compass face has four cardinal directions, north, south, east, and west.

Identifying your location with respect to known objects at a distance.īefore we get into the details, let us look at a fundamental question.

Matching the features between the map and the ground as you move along.

Fixing a direction or bearing from the map and moving towards it.

Fixing your exact position in the wild from the compass and map.

This way, you can head in the right direction. Once you align the compass with a topographical map, you can match your location with the surroundings. The primary purpose of the compass is to point you in the right direction.

#How to use a compass how to#

How to Follow a Bearing With a Compass?.How to Take a Bearing From a Map With a Compass?.How to Use a Compass to Find Where You Are?.Determine the Compass Bearing of a Distant Object.They are inserted right after the written instructions on any particular topic. That’s why we’ve included the best video we found on each topic. In fact, you may find some steps listed below to be somewhat difficult to grasp for the first time. Now, that’s not to say learning to use a compass is easy. But even so, every outdoor lover should be well-versed with the hands-on technique of compass reading. There’s no denying the ease of use and functionality of a modern GPS. They are a pair of reliable tools you can use anywhere without the risk of running out of power. Using a map and a compass delivers a more organic experience. After all, with the GPS offering detailed navigational information without the need for thorough knowledge, who needs a compass? Tap on the switch next to “Use True North.This article is our ultimate guide on how to use a compass.ĭo you know how to use a compass in the field?įor many newbie adventurers, the age-old art of map-and-compass navigation is extinct.Press the Digital Crown, then find the Settings (gear image) icon.

This is great you won’t need to know the declination (angle between true and magnetic north) at your particular location like you would if you used a classic compass. Turn the Digital Crown to scroll down below the compass dial to see the information listed in a larger, easier-to-read font.īy default, the compass uses magnetic north, but you can change this to true north.This gives you the number of degrees, measured clockwise, from north. In the top-left corner of the screen, you can see in which direction you are heading.Make sure “While Using the App” is selected.Go to Location Services, then tap on Compass.

Make sure to give the Compass app permission to access your location. Line this up with north to determine your north, east, west and south directions.

The white dash at the top of the dial indicates your current bearing (direction).

Sort through the bubbles and tap on the Compass icon.

Open the Compass app: Press the Digital Crown to open the Home Screen.