how to layout a compass course with gps

The top of the map is north. From there moving clockwise the right side is east, the bottom south, and the left is west. The parallel vertical lines on the map are there for you to line up your compass to orient everything in the right direction.

Full Answer

How do I learn compass navigation?

Mar 14, 2022 · Place the compass flat on the map with the travel arrow pointed in the general direction of north and one of the base plate’s long edges linking your location and your destination; you may need a straight-edge to make the connection, depending on the map’s scale and the distance to be covered.

Do we need more compass or GPS skills?

Place your compass on the map with the direction of travel arrow pointing toward the top of the map. Rotate the bezel so that N (north) is lined up with the direction of travel arrow. Slide the baseplate until one of its straight edges aligns with either the left or right edge of your map.

How do you use a compass on a topographic map?

Mar 18, 2022 · Using your compass, orient your map so that north is pointing to true north. (Pro tip: make sure the fixed grid lines on your compass …

How many degrees are there in compass directions?

Hold the compass level and steady, and rotate the housing dial, until the orienting arrow lines up with the red end (north end) of the magnetic needle, all the while keeping the direction of travel arrow pointed at the object. Read the number indicated at the index line, and that is your bearing.

How do I set up a compass and map course?

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How do you draw a route with a compass?

How do you orient your map when you start your course?

Should I set my GPS to true north or magnetic north?

How do you convert true north to magnetic north?

How do you use a USGS topographic map with a compass?

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How do you orient a map using a compass essay?

What are 2 ways to orient a map?

When orienting your map using a compass The magnetic needle is aligned with?

How to improve compass navigation?

One of the simplest exercises for improving the speed and accuracy of your compass navigation is the Three-leg Compass Walk. This exercise is appropriate for virtually any age group and requires only a compass, a small place marker like a pencil or twig, and enough space to move about 50 paces ...

What do you need to do a compass exercise?

This exercise requires a compass, piece of paper, and pen or pencil for each participant, in addition to an area large enough to accommodate your courses.

What is the best way to mark a closed course?

The pen or pencil can be used to mark the course's starting point. One of the greatest advantages of Closed Course is that the directions created can be as simple or as difficult as you like, depending on the skill level of the participants. For beginners, short courses that use only cardinal directions are helpful.

Why is it important to plot a course on graph paper?

The most important thing is to ensure that the directions will lead the navigator back to where they began. Plotting your course on graph paper before attempting to follow it in the field is a great way to save yourself potential headaches and make sure that your course is closed.

How to get a spotter to see the second landmark?

Begin by standing next to one of the landmarks, facing toward the other. Take a bearing to determine the direction from the first landmark to the second, and have your spotter make a note of it. Put on the blindfold and and attempt to travel in the direction of the second landmark.

How to set declination on a map?

Once you’ve set your declination, map orientation is simple: Place your compass on the map with the direction of travel arrow pointing toward the top of the map. Rotate the bezel so that N (north) is lined up with the direction of travel arrow.

How to find where you are on a map?

You can also use a bearing to find where you are on a map. You might want to know exactly where you are along a trail. Start by finding a landmark that you can also identify on your map. Hold your compass flat with the direction of travel arrow pointing away from you and directly at the landmark.

What is a parallel line that rotates with the bezel?

Orienting lines: Parallel lines that rotate with the bezel; correctly aligning these with the north-south lines on a map aligns your orienting arrow with north.

Why is it important to adjust for declination?

Because a single degree of error can set you off course by 100 feet over a mile, it’s important to accurately adjust for declination. Before you can adjust for it, you have to find the declination value in your trip area. Topo maps list it, but the value varies over time.

Why not rely exclusively on a phone or GPS receiver?

Why not rely exclusively on a phone or GPS receiver? Because batteries can die and gadgets can malfunction. A compass relies only on Earth's magnetic fields. If you don’t have one yet, read How to Choose a Compass.

What is the difference between magnetic north and true north?

In most locations in the real world, though, magnetic north (where your needle points) and true north differ by a few degrees: That difference is known as “declination.”. In the continental U.S., declinations vary from 20 degrees east in parts of Washington state to 20 degrees west in parts of Maine.

Do bearings always get you to the same destination?

Bearings are always relative to a specific location. Following the same bearing from two different places will not get you to the same destination.

Which compasses are precise?

Lensatic compasses are precise, but have a learning curve. Adamantios

How to make a straight edge line on a compass?

1. Place the corner of your compass’s baseplate on your location, then rotate your entire compass until the straightedge forms a line between your location and your destination.

How to take a bearing on a landmark?

Take a bearing on your first landmark: Line up your direction of travel arrow with your landmark, then rotate the bezel until the needle lines up with the markings for north. (The number next to the index line is your bearing).

How does a compass app work?

The apps work by utilizing your phone’s magnetometer. After a simple calibration process, it can not only do whatever a compass can do, but can even lock onto a bearing well enough to tell you when you’ve gone astray.

How to find the angle of declination?

The easiest way to find the angle of declination is to check your map: most have declination diagrams, along with the date it was last revised. Because declination changes over time, newer maps will have more accurate figures. There should be an angle and a direction—for example, 8 degrees east.

What is a baseplate?

Baseplate: a clear back that lets you see the map underneath. The ruled edge helps with triangulation and taking your bearings.

Where is the magnetized needle located?

Magnetized needle: located inside of the bezel, it always points to magnetic north, not true north. (They’re hundreds of miles apart.)

What is a compass used for?

It’s probably time to change that, isn’t it? Essentially a compass is nothing more than a magnetized needle, floating in a liquid, and responding to the Earth’s magnetic field consequently revealing directions. Over time compass markers have added features which make compasses work more harmoniously with maps and also more beneficially as stand alone tools. Today, compasses can be classified as one of four types, namely: fixed-dial (the type that you find on a key chain, or that come out of a gum ball machine), floating dial (the needle is an integrated part of the degree dial), cruiser (professional grade instrument used by foresters), and orienteering. For hiking, mountaineering, back country skiing , canoeing, hunting or the like, the orienteering type is the most sensible being accurate to within 2 degrees, not requiring a separate protractor nor map orientation, and being highly affordable. Hence forth, this article focuses solely on the orienteering compass.

What are the parts of an orienteering compass?

As figure 1 shows an orienteering compass typically consists of three main parts: a magnetic needle, a revolving compass housing, and a transparent base plate. The magnetic needles north end is painted red and its south end white.

How to get around obstacles?

If you can’t see a landmark along your course, there are a couple of other methods you can use to get around the obstacle and get back on your original course. One method is to have a member of your party navigate the obstacle, and then treat him like a landmark. One he has cleared the obstacle talk him into position along your original bearing. Also have him take a back bearing on you to confirm he is in indeed back on course. He can do this by pointing the direction of travel arrow of his compass at himself and then turning his body so as to align the red end of the magnetic needle over the orienteering arrow, and he should notice that you are along the bearing, if not he needs to move left or right. If the obstacle is too large for the previously described method, or you are on a solo trip, you can use right-angles to maneuver the obstacle. To do this turn 90 degrees and walk across the front of the obstacle while counting your steps. To make a 90 degree turn without changing the bearing setting on your compass, simply turn your body until the red end (north end) of the magnetic needle points at the West marking (to turn right) or East (to turn left), as opposed to the normal North marking. Once you’re past the front of the obstacle turn 90 degrees again, by rotating your body until the red end of the magnetic needle is over the orienting arrow, and walk past the obstacle. Once past the obstacle, turn 90 degrees for a third time (by pointing the red end of the magnetic need at the opposite marking or your first 90 degree turn), and walk the same number of steps you counted to get past the front of the obstacle. Once the steps are up, turn your body to align the magnetic needle back over the orienteering arrow (thus turning 90 degrees for a fourth and final time), and you will be back on course. See figure 3.

How to use a compass to follow a bearing?

A bearing is the direction from one spot to another, measured in degrees, from the reference line of north; in other words it’s one of the 360 degrees of the compass rose. To take a bearing hold the compass in front of you with the direction of travel arrow pointing at the object of interest. Hold the compass level and steady, and rotate the housing dial, until the orienting arrow lines up with the red end (north end) of the magnetic needle, all the while keeping the direction of travel arrow pointed at the object. Read the number indicated at the index line, and that is your bearing. Now to follow that bearing to the object, let’s consider an example. Say you want to travel to a large rock outcropping on the horizon, which is currently visible to you, but which may leave your field of vision when you walk into a dip, or when pending clouds come in or the sun sets. Let’s say your bearing on the outcropping measured 315 degrees (or NW). Assuming you still have the direction of travel arrow pointing at the rock outcropping, and have not changed the 315 degree bearing setting on the dial, walk forward keeping the magnetic needle over the orienting arrow (by rotating your body, and not the dial), and the straight line course (as pointed out by the direction of travel arrow), will lead you to the rock outcropping. En route, when the rock outcropping leaves you line of sight pick out an intermediate landmark along the bearing, so you don’t have to constantly look down at your compass. Walk to the intermediate landmark, and repeat with another landmark until you reach your destination. Once you arrive at the rock outcropping, what bearing do you use to return to where you came from? Actually you don’t need any other bearing besides the 315 degrees already set on your compass. To return, just point the direction of travel arrow at you, instead of forward, and then rotate your body until the orienting arrow lines up with the red end (north end) of the magnetic needle, and then walk straight ahead while keeping the magnetic needle over the orienteering arrow (just as you did in going to the rock outcropping). That is the easy way to backtrack, of course you could also calculate your back bearing by subtracting 180 from your forward bearing of 315, and set the 135 degree (SE) difference at the compasses index line and then use the same body rotating method mention earlier, only this time you’d have the direction of travel arrow pointing your way. Try this. Take your compass to an empty parking lot or field and mark a spot. While standing at the spot set your compass to any bearing between 0 and 120 degrees, pick a landmark along the direction of travel and take 15 steps toward it. Stop, add 120 degrees to your initial bearing, pick out a landmark along that bearing and walk another 15 steps toward it, stop and once again increase your bearing by 120, pick out a third landmark and again walk 15 steps. Notice you have arrived back at your original starting location. Let’s return to the example above where we took a 315 degree (or NW) bearing on a rock outcropping, and lets suppose that enroute to the outcropping we encounter an obstacle which we must go around thus forcing us to deviate from our straight line course. If you are lucky enough to be able to pick out a landmark that’s along the bearing, and also on the other side of the obstacle, you have nothing to worry about, just go around the obstacle and get back on course by reaching the landmark and aligning the red end of the magnetic needle over the orienteering arrow, and continue walking.

What are the different types of compasses?

Today, compasses can be classified as one of four types, namely: fixed-dial (the type that you find on a key chain, or that come out of a gum ball machine), floating dial (the needle is an integrated part of the degree dial), cruiser (professional grade instrument used by foresters), and orienteering.

How to find the North Star?

To find it, locate the Big Dipper and follow the two pointer stars at the end of the cup to the tail of the Little Dipper, Polaris is the last star on its tail, see Figure 7. Roughly the distance to the North Star from the Big Dipper is 5.5 times the distance between the two pointer stars forming the non-handle side of the cup. The Big Dipper rotates around Polaris. The North Star can be used to measure declination. At night, place two sticks in the ground lined up with the North Star, with the taller one to the north of the shorter. Set your compass dial at 360, and point the direction of travel arrow north at the longer stick. Look at the compass needle, and note the difference between its bearing and true north, the difference is declination. In the Northern Hemisphere, latitude is obtained by measuring the altitude of Polaris. At the Equator (0° of latitude) the North Star is on the horizon, making an angle or "altitude" of 0 degrees. Whereas at the North Pole (90° of latitude), Polaris is directly overhead making an angle or "altitude" of 90 degrees. Likewise, at 30°N the star is 30 degrees above the horizon, and so on. In other words, in the Northern Hemisphere, if you know your latitude, you can use that as an angle from the horizon to locate the North Star. To measure your latitude, point a stick at the North Star, then measure the angle the stick makes from a level horizon. Note, some compasses, include an inclination gauge (not covered in this article) by which you can easily measure the angle. Determine East and West Via a Shadow: To determine east and west, place a stick in the ground so you can see its shadow (alternatively, you can use the shadow of any fixed object). Ensure the shadow is cast on a level, brush-free spot. Mark the tip of the shadow with a pebble or scratch in the dirt; try to make the mark as small as possible so as to pinpoint the shadow's tip. Wait 10-15 minutes, as the shadow moves from west to east (the opposite side the sun moves on, ie the sun moves from the east to the west -- but both the shadow and the sun move in a clockwise direction). Mark the new position of the shadow's tip with another small object or scratch. Connect the two shadow tip markings with a straight line and you have an east-to-west line approximation. Midday readings give more accurate approximations. To get an exact east-to-west line join the marks from two shadows of equal length. In either the approximate or the exact case stand with the first mark on your left, and the second on your right, and you will be facing toward true north. Pay attention to your own shadow during the course of the day while on a long walk - if you are moving north your shadow will be over your left shoulder at sunrise and over your right shoulder at sunset. You might be the only object to throw a shadow when walking in barren terrain like a desert. Global Positioning System: The U.S. Department of Defense has 24 satellites orbiting the earth, which give off signals that handheld GPS devices can pick up and translate into a user’s position and altitude to within roughly 50 feet. These devices are useful, but are not a replacement for knowledge of the basics of orientation and navigation with a compass and map. Also always remember that a GPS unit is a delicate, battery powered device that can fail or be easily damaged. Never rely solely on, nor allow yourself to become dependent on such a piece of equipment. The tops of pine trees tend to dip to the north. If you do lose your way, keep a cool head - a cool head can accomplish much, a rattle one nothing. Note that lost people tend to wander in circles; as such above all don’t run around aimlessly. First stop, relax, and think, then look around for a familiar landmark, or climb a tree or a hill to try to find one. Estimate the time you have been traveling, and the remaining about of daylight - this will help you figure out how far you have traveled. If possible consult your compass, if not possible pay attention to sunset or sunrise which will indicate east and west, or use a wristwatch as a compass. Consider blazing your way by leaving small marks indicating the direction you have taken such as arrows in the dirt or snow, peeled bark on a tree, toilet paper on a tree branch, and/or rock cairns. If it gets dark it may be best to stay put, as such build a rousing fire, making it easier for others to find you and allowing you to stay warm. At night find the North Star and mark that direction on the ground to guide you come daylight.

Where does the magnetic needle point on the agonic line?

In areas to the left of the agonic line the magnetic compass needle points a certain number of degrees to the east of true north, and on the other side of the line the magnetic needle points a certain number of degrees to the west of true north (in other words the magnetic needle points toward the agonic line).

Where to read degree marking on compass?

5. Read the degree marking indicated at the top of the compass, right under the index line. That's the bearing you need to follow to get to your destination (if you're not sure how to follow a bearing, review scenario A).

Why are buttons used as compass?

Button compasses are probably the most common compass you will see because they are attached to everything. They are small and extremely cheap. You'll see them attached to keychains, weaved into paracord bracelets, and tacked on to mass-produced survival tools. Buttons compasses are not accurate, break easily and are easy to lose. They should be used only as a toy or a novelty item and not as a land navigation tool.

How to find the red compass?

2. Start by pointing your compass at a known landmark that can be easily identified on your map, like a summit. 3. Keeping the compass flush with the ground and pointed towards the landmark, turn the rotating bezel of the compass until the North magnetic needle lines up with 0° on the compass (or "red is in the shed").

How many elements are in a compass?

A compass may appear very complex at first sight - different colors, numbers, lines going in every direction... However, there are only seven elements we'll be referring to in this tutorial - the orienting arrow, the index line, the "shed", the magnetic needles, the rotating bezel or housing, bearings and orienting lines.

What is the difference between a cardinal point and a degree?

Degrees: While cardinal points are great for providing general directions, degrees are more specific and accurate. Instead of saying "walk southwest", for example, you could tell someone to head at a bearing of 210 degrees. Degrees range from 0 to 360 degrees and are marked clockwise on a compass, usually in increments of 2 or less degrees.

What are the four cardinal directions?

Cardinal directions: There are four major cardinal points - North, South, East, West. Each of those can be used in combination with one another to indicate directions that are in-between, such as "North-West" or "East-South-East" (called "intercardinal directions").

What is bearing in a compass?

Simply put, a bearing is the direction in which you must travel, as indicated by a compass. It can be expressed in degrees or using cardinal points:

How to plan a trail?

To plan your route, Get oriented with where you are on the map - your current position. Figure out where on the map you want to go - your destination. Examine the space between the two points.

Why do you leave a copy of your trek plan?

You'll leave a copy of your trek plan with other people to help with rescue efforts if things go wrong.

What pin is the SCL wire on a compass?

The Yellow SCL wire coming from the compass needs to go to pin 21, which is also labeled SCL. The Blue SDA wire coming from the compass needs to go to pin 20, which is also labeled SDA. That was pretty simple, Right?

How many wires are needed for GPS?

Wiring is very easy, there are only four wires. Two wires are used for power (VCC and Ground) and two are for data lines (TX and RX). First, you may need to solder a four prong header pin to your GPS module, some already have the header pins attached depending on the one you purchased.

Can you build a Bluetooth robot with GPS?

If you can build this simple Bluetooth Robot, then you can just add on to it to build the GPS Guided Robot. Once you build the Bluetooth Robot you will already have most of the things you need to build the GPS Guided Robot. You will just need to purchase a GPS module a (Ublox Neo 6M) and a magnetometer (compass) HMC5883L.

Is calibrating a compass fun?

And now for the most fun of all, Ca librating the compass...it's really not that much fun, but it will make our compass much more accurate.

Does a robot need a compass?

Adding a magnetometer (compass) to the robot is not optional. If your robot does not know which direction it's pointed, then it will be very difficult for it to know which way to start it's journey. "But doesn't a GPS know which direction it's headed in?" Yes, but only after it has traveled a certain direction for an extended period of time. We don't have that kind of battery power to waste, we need a constant update on our direction so that we can create the quickest route to our destination.