The big idea normally is to have your map more or less line up with the terrain so you can make sense of where things are around you. So its declination would be 14W. Assume youve climbed to the top of Camels Hump in Vermont. As you can see, the declination of the location Im in is 4E. 3.30 MB. Turn your compass on its side. Performance Steps 1. Youll want to turn it until that black arrow outline is lined up with the 4E hash mark. At least, I never saw him with one. Youre in the right place! The cover is used to protect the compass and also incorporates the sighting wirewhich helps you determine direction. The two basic techniques for using the lensatic compass . This can be done either by (1) rotating the map the requisite number of degrees east or west or (2) holding the baseplate firmly, rotate the compass housing to the correct number of degrees west or east to account for the declination. So in this episode, well go through the abilities youll need. You see that the mountain is 24 in relation to you. Announcement: My online Land Navigation course includes four hours of video instruction, and two downloadable PDF books, all for about the same price as a typical paperback book. We still need to understand where we are in reference to our map how to orient ourselves before we can start really navigating, which well cover in Part III of this series. Navigation has taken on many forms over the years. 3. Put your compass on your map. There are 2 ways to do this - using landmarks or using a compass. USING A COMPASS Magnetic azimuths are determined with the use of magnetic instruments, such as lensatic and M2 compasses. Sometimes we may use GPS technology or navigational apps to find our way, but we will always have the option of a map and compass stashed safely in our hiking backpack. Position in the area. NB. Aligned the side of the compass with one of the north-south grid lines. FM 3-25.26: Map Reading and Land Navigation. Look at the red needle to see which direction it is pointing. Take your compass and line up the edges with the north-south gridlines on your map. My 159-page, fully illustrated book is yours for the asking. 5. It is the bread and butter of navigation and a good habit to get into every time you set off in any given direction. So in this installment, well go over the skills you need to do just that. In such orientation we use a lensatic scale. A lightweight, well-engineered orienteering compass from the Finnish company that helped set the gold standard in navigation. a. At this point, your map is almost oriented. Hold the compass at eye level and point it at the object. However, imagine youre in Muir Woods in San Francisco, facing true north. A: You can use the arrow keys, or you can hold down shift and move in any direction to rotate a map around its axis. Look through the lens and sighting line. Magnetic north is now off the coast of Greenland, but true north is at the very top of the world. Look at which way the red needle is pointing. The obvious drawback here is that such an approach is impossible in poor visibility. At that point, leave it out in a spot where it can really dry overnight until you know the internal components are no longer moist. Want a free ebook on Land Navigation? Learn to navigate using a topographic map and a compass. Well, that is, unless you're doing something silly like holding the compass backwards. To prevent this issue, well tweak our compass to account for declination. Its declination is recorded as 14E. The lensatic compass must always be held level and firm when sighting on an object and reading an azimuth. 2 a. Orient the map using the first technique. Were headed to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma for this example. The degrees are in red, and are the ring's inner measurements. Line your orienteering compass's base plate up with the map's north-south lines. Use the illustration above to familiarize yourself with the components of a lensatic compass. Knowing how to orientate a map is just one facet of the wider skill of knowing how to read a map. 3. Check the index line to find out the bearing you just have taken. This webpage may also be used to get current declinations. In this case, it 15 degrees positive (east). Get my Land Navigation coursehere. Place the compass on the map with one long edge of the baseplate running between the two points of interest. Photo: Wikipedia. Set your compass dial to 000 degrees. Pull your elbows firmly into your sides; this will place the compass between your chin and your belt. The rear bearing is at a 50-degree angle. Open the cover completely and pull back the rear sight. It's important to hold your compass stable, squarely in front of you, and level. But heres where things get tricky: the angle of declination changes depending where you are on the earth. $7.20. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS & More: A Manual On Food Storage and Survival: 2nd Edition Revised and Updated. What wildlife can you see at Yellowstone National Park? As a result, its declination would be 14 degrees west. A: In order to orient and read a map, you have to have spatial awareness. With your bezel ring set, stand at your starting point and . As mentioned in Part I, true north and magnetic north arent the same. PART 1 Basic Land Navigation Module 6 Map Information WARNING This presentation is intended as a quick summary, and not a comprehensive resource. Ethan Allan thats the peak you saw. Easy-to-Read Thermometer - Cushion-mounted thermometer provides an "at-a-glance . Lensatic compasses are made up of three parts: cover, base, and reading lens. Theyre not traditionally used for camping trips or simple navigation, but if youre serious about prepping, this is a must-have in your EDC bag and bug out bag. Step 2. Identify where you are on the map and place the compass edge over this location. Sound complicated? I guess the military needs the extra accuracy now and then say, for example, to precisely place artillery fire. On your map, place your compass. Move the lens holder: Slightly push forward the lens holder. What if you dont have a compass that allows you to adjust for declination? So, if you know where you are on the map, look ahead and see what features you can see. So your true bearing would be 166. 1. Its not an issue. To begin, use your compass to locate a peak on Saddle Mountain. Place compass on top of map. Last but not lease, lensatic compasses are prone to scratching. Orient you compass with the bearing, and draw the bearing line. Read your compass (Figures 5-25 and 5-26). We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Orienting the Map with an Orienteering Compass. When you return from using your lensatic compass, take it apart as much as possible to detect any moisture. Orient you compass with the bearing, and draw the bearing line. As long as you can hold the compass level and steady, the exact grip doesn't matter. 3. STEPS 1.Ensure the map is on a level surface, place the compass parallel to a north-south grid line with the cover side of the compass pointing towards the top of the map. When you point your compass towards true north, the needle will point a bit to the west. Your action from here depends on the value and direction of your declinationeast or west. When it comes to how to orientate a map, there are two main ways to do it. Your compass is now set. Now its time to use the lens. Throughout this procedure, were not utilizing it at all.). Make sure the travel direction arrow is pointed in the direction you want to go. When you have a line position, you know that youre on some identifiable line on the map (trail, ridge line, etc. A visualization depicting the Soldier's Manual of Common Tasks (STP 21-1-SMCT) task Orient a Map Using a Lensatic Compass (071-COM-1011). If the contour interval is 10 meters, then what is the change in elevation of each intermediate contour . If the local declination is negative, add the declination amount . Line your lensatic compasss base plate up with the maps north-south lines. The Lensatic compass also has a large number of drawbacks, including the use of a large case that can make this a cumbersome and heavy option. Youll see that it shows two arrows when you turn your headset or controllers around to show the new orientation of a map. ","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"A: In order to orient and read a map, you have to have spatial awareness. SPECS dimensions:4.1" x 2.4" x 0.6" |10.4 x 6.2 Read More. Whenever the luminous magnetic arrow lines up with the luminous short line, you're following your intended azimuth. Make sure the degrees of the dial are readable. Without getting over-complicated, a standard compass is different from a lensatic compass. Also known as setting the map, orientating helps to relate your position and the landscape around you to the map, therefore making onward navigation more straightforward. Let's have a look at the sources that constantly give favorable points. The compass baseplates edge is now pointed in the direction of the visible landmark you used to get your bearing. From point A to point B, thats your bearing. When this happens, its time to orientate using a compass. You should then be able to roughly work out which way is north, east south or west using your maps gridlines. 3. This way you can see the object and the bezel at the same time. durability, and its hyper-accuracy in land. Compass adjusted for declination. Check the declination of your local location on your map or on a website. Your map is now aligned to magnetic north. for Faith in Humanity, how to orient a map using a lensatic compass, orient a map using a lensatic compass powerpoint. It will be clearer why we need to compensate for declination in the first place. You can also use this website to get up to date declinations. Here's an example from an older map of the Grand Canyon. They both use magnetization to help you find where you are and where youre going, but theres a catch. (1) Compass-to-cheek method (figure C-21). Its declination would be written as 14E. Using the Centerhold Technique. Most people have never heard of them, but soon enough, youre going to be a master at using them. Once you've got the bearing you can transfer it to the map. Last update on 2023-03-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. For this example, were going to go to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. The Art of Manliness participates in affiliate marketing programs, which means we get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links. This is also known as triangulation. Note that we will be moving and adjusting the compass on the map. We know were somewhere along HW 115 and south of Saddle Mountain. You should notice that the direction of travel arrow should be pointing at the top of the map, and the black orienteering lines should also be parallel to the north-south gridlines on the map. 1. navigation and combat. Read the number at the index line. On your map, shoot the back bearing that you just took with your compass from the top of Saddle Mountain. Keep doing this until you get to where you want to go. Welcome back to the Art of ManlinessLand Navigation Manual. Make sure your map is aligned with magnetic north (see above). Step 2 Lay the map in a horizontal position. Step 3 Use one of two techniques to orientate the map. Required fields are marked *. We guide you on how to orientate a map with or without your compass so that you can navigate your way through the backcountry. Pistol Marksmanship: How to Fix 4 Common Trigger Mistakes, Skill of the Week: Make the Perfect Omelet, Skill of the Week: Throw a Dynamite Straight Punch, How to Get the Stink Out of Synthetic Workout Shirts, A Mans Guide to Black Tie: How To Wear A Tuxedo, A Mans Guide to Fragrance: How to Choose and Wear Cologne, How to Pick the Perfect Mens Wedding Ring, Your No-Nonsense Guide to Choosing the Right Beard Style, How to Grow a Beard: The One and True Guide, Beard Oil FAQs: Answering All Your Pressing Beardly Questions, Beard Grooming 101: The Lowdown on Products and Routine, Skill of the Week: Tie the Half-Windsor Necktie Knot, Squeeze More Into Your Workouts With Supersets, Podcast #866: Move the Body, Heal the Mind, Podcast #862: Heal the Body With Extended Fasting, Podcast #761: How Testosterone Makes Men, Men, How Saunas Can Help Save Your Body, Mind, and Spirit, The Insanely Difficult Standards of Historys Hardest P.E. Once you know that you're facing north, rotate the compass so that the luminous line is over the 170-degree mark. If you take just one thing from this guide, let it be the appreciation that contours are the most important navigational feature on the map, especially where hills and mountains are concerned. The term "lensatic" comes from the fact that there is a lens on the rear side of the compass that aids in the orienteering process. Shoot the reverse bearing you got with your compass from the top of Saddle Mountain on your map. Take a bearing to a visible landmark using your compass. Identify where you are on the map and place the compass edge over this location. Identify your approximate location on your map. 3. Instead of using your compasss arrow, youll align your needle with the tape arrow. Let's say you see a water tower off in the distance. The following 30-minute U.S. Army training video from 1966 shows how to find your direction, orientation, and location with a mil-spec lensatic compass. There's another way to orientate a map using a compass that starts slightly differently to what was explained above. Holding any compass in a slack and half-a**ed (that's an old military term. When orienting a map, our aim is to position it so that the north-south grid lines on the map (eastings) are aligned north-south. You can always orient your map with a working compass. Looking at the photo below, let's say you're at the north end of Sheeler Lake, where the penciled X is. A lensatic compass features a small pop-out area for your thumb, and a lid on top of the main compass body. that it is pointing towards the top of the map. Lets go to the other side of the country. Take your compass and turn the compass housing (bezel) until the red orientating arrow is in line with the direction of travel arrow. With the thumb loop all the way down under the compass, put the thumb of one hand all the way inside the loop, and place the index finger of that same hand along one side of the compass. number of degrees in a circle (360: north is 0 or 360, east is 90, south is 180, and. Fill & Sign Online, Print, Email, Fax, or Download The My Open Country name is registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. While this doesnt technically register as an electronic, were going to treat it like one. To determine the direction, or bearing, from one point to another, you need a. compass as well as a map. On the map, you are where the line connects with the highway. Its not unheard of for hikers to accidentally read their map upside down and end up facing south, rather than north. When you do know exactly where you are in relation to your map, you have your point position.. Now that were putting compass to map, we need to adjust for it so that we can accurately orient and navigate. Line your orienteering compasss base plate up with the maps north-south lines. Battle tested - shock, water, sand proof, and. 1. Related Tags. Now hold your compass horizontally and point the 'direction-of-travel-arrow' towards the landmark. What if youre not on a trail, but you just know the general area youre in? 3. On your map, though, you can see the two spots. Great article! Position the eyepiece at a 45-degree angle to the . How can you get your point position then? Hold the compass steady and level, and up to your face. Make an "L" shape with the index finger and thumb of your other hand. 4. Get my Land Navigation coursehere. With the thumb loop all the way down under the compass, put the thumb of one hand all the way inside the loop, and place the index finger of that same hand along one side of the compass.