Each of us knows or has at least heard of various scouting methods for determining direction. Moss on a tree, an anthill, tree rings... however, these do not work reliably, and you might not even find a church with an altar oriented to the east either. During the day the North Star won't help you much, at night you might not be able to identify it precisely, or it could be cloudy. Few people wear a classic watch with a dial today, and moreover it can break...
In today's age of GPS and other digital „smart“ solutions, using a compass or a bearing compass to determine location is more of a rarity than a regular occurrence. I would dare to say that most of us use some kind of GPS in a watch or smartphone, and we track our route via mapy.cz or other on/off line portals. But what happens the moment the GPS cannot connect to a satellite? Or your batteries run out, or you lose mobile signal? From my experience, I know that this „happens“.
A map, a compass or a bearing compass still have their place. They need no batteries, they don't lose signal, and they aren't so easy to break. And most importantly, they weigh almost nothing.
Yes, you can't just pick up a compass or a bearing compass and have it lead you straight in the right direction. You need to know how to use it. For that, you need to know the basics and be able to apply them in a specific situation, but you don't need to worry. With a bit of practice, it's nothing complicated, and determining direction, azimuths, or measuring distances will be a piece of cake for you.
Today there are many manufacturers on the market and an even greater number of products - compasses and bearing compasses. That's why it's good to answer a few questions right at the start:
- What specific compass - bearing compass do I need?
- How often will I use it?
- What measurement accuracy do I need? For casual hiking, for expeditions, or for professional use?
- Compass or bearing compass?
Compass
It is a device designed to determine direction towards the north magnetic pole. A classic compass shows direction using a magnetized needle (magnetic needle), balanced and pivoted at its center of gravity, which rotates freely. The needle turns parallel to the magnetic field lines of the Earth's magnetic field, with its magnetic poles oriented opposite to those of the Earth.
A compass does not point to the geographic pole, but to the magnetic one, which is shifted relative to the geographic pole. At a sufficient distance from the pole, however, this deviation is negligible, and therefore the geographic and magnetic poles are considered to coincide. It's worth mentioning that directly above the pole (where the deviation is significant), a device called an inclination compass is used, which indicates the pole in a vertical direction. “So much for the theory“ ????
The first compass was probably a piece of magnetite floating on a wooden base in a container of water. Compasses have been known since ancient China. The first mention of a compass dates back to the 4th century.
Today's modern compasses are electronic, however the principle of a magnetic element orienting itself according to the Earth's magnetic field lines is also incorporated in them. For practical orientation, devices for precise position determination via a positioning system, such as GPS, are now more widely used. Digital compasses (in phones, etc.) also exist based on this technology.
In better compasses you can already find a ruler or a magnifying glass, however an improved version of the compass is the bearing compass.
Bearing compass
As I already mentioned, a bearing compass is an “improved“ compass. The first bearing compass was constructed by the Czech inventor Josef Ressel. The basis of every bearing compass is a compass with a rotating scale in a housing on a base plate. However, compared to a compass, a bearing compass usually also features a magnifying glass, a classic ruler and a scale for map ratios (standard) 1:25,000 and 1:50,000, or possibly an inclinometer.
The cardinal directions are commonly marked with the first letters of their English names N – North, S (South), W (West), E (East)
Not every compass is the same
Personally, it is important to me that a compass or bearing compass works correctly and has a so-called “sighting device“. By that I mean something that helps you accurately aim the compass or bearing compass at the desired point. Standard hiking compasses and bearing compasses without a “sighting device“ only have a directional arrow. This is sufficient for basic orientation. More professional compasses and bearing compasses have a so-called “sighting device“ – which can come in various forms. Most often it is a folding mirror with a line, or some kind of sight in the form of a notch and a bead.
Here too the rule applies: quality = price. Among the best-known brands are Suunto, Silva, Recta, and others. Personally, I prefer and have used a Silva Ranger for years, in combination with GPS and online maps for verification. As I already mentioned, branded compasses and bearing compasses are not the “cheapest“ option, so I have a few tips for you on how to choose a quality unbranded compass or bearing compass...
How to buy a quality (unbranded) compass or bearing compass?
- Watch out for bubbles. The needle sits in liquid. Before buying, make sure there are no bubbles in it, because they tend to only get bigger.
- The needle should move quickly. This means it should return quickly to the same position. To check this, use any iron object, place it near the needle to deflect it. Then remove the iron object and observe how quickly it returns to the same position. The rule applies: the faster – the better.
- Watch out for a complete scale. Yes, I have already come across cases at some courses where only the degrees 0° – 90° – 180° – 270° were marked on the circle. I consider this a very unfortunate solution, since for orientation and navigation you need to determine all degrees (and minutes as well, for military models).
- The last but not least important thing (from my experience) is that the compass or bearing compass should have so-called luminescent points – simply put, these are points that make it easier for you to work with the bearing compass or compass even in complete darkness.
Once we have a compass or bearing compass – only one thing remains. Knowing how to use it correctly. In order to use it fully, we need to know the map. And that is where we will begin our next article ???? No, don't worry, don't expect any rewriting of university textbooks or geography and topography manuals... Just the necessary minimum for a proper understanding of the basics, so that you can quickly and easily orient yourself, or better plan your trip...
*Note. The subject of topography is quite extensive, but we will focus only on the necessary basics that anyone can easily use at any time,...
Berny's final tip
A compass or bearing compass is affected by iron objects, or objects made of other magnetic metal. Also by magnets and electronic devices, since they create a magnetic field. However, one should not forget about high-voltage power lines, radio stations, and radar stations (when they are in operation). It is necessary to keep this in mind when using a compass and to prevent interference with the compass.
Berny
My goal is to share the knowledge and experience that a person needs not only when wandering in nature but also in everyday life. My task is to spread awareness about responsibility and safety, not only for oneself but also for those around us. My idea is that life is too short to do things we do not enjoy, and that is why I help people in today's fast-paced world find not only the charm and beauty of nature and our rich history, but also push their limits. You can learn more about me on my blog.
