Hey Everybody! Just a heads up, I am working 12 hour days, seven days a week for the entire month of February. That's no days off at all for a month so I wont be answering the comments very fast this time. I'll get to them as time allows. Y'all take care.
I was in 6th Grade in 1978 , Stone Mill Elementary School in Stone Mountain , Georgia . Our math teacher taught us geometry , geology , map and compass , latitude and longitude . We had a field day navigating around our school yard with magnetic compasses . At that time the Agomic Line ran just through the Atlanta , Georgia area . She taught us about magnetic declination but it wasn't an issue for us at that time . Fast forward to 1985 . I joined the navy and was picked to become a radar operator . The course was 17 weeks long . There were two classes starting in the same week with about 45 students and two instructors for each class . Compass and map was week 1 . One student in my class failed out in the first hour of day one of the first week . 17 weeks later 76 students graduated and I was number 6 in grades . So graduation rate was about 80% or so . I sailed around the world for ten years . I've sailed the Persian Gulf twice , crossed the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans , navigated the Mediterranean and Caribean Seas and sailed off the Pacific coasts of North Korea and Russia . Dave , you did a pretty good job of explaining compass use in this video , take it from a " one upon a time " professional compass and map guy in the military .
Ah yes ... back in the day when they taught practical skills and used real-life to explain how things like Geometry and Geography mattered ! Well done, Victor. "Thank you for your Service" -- LOL -- Alan Former SGT, United States Army
This chap is the only adviser you need for hiking . Truthful and no BS. Down to earth like a backwoodsman should be.Excellent explanation BTW.I REALLY mean that.
I was in the 1st Armored Division as an armored reconnaissance specialist. I was taught extensively in map/compass navigation. Your explanation is by far the best I have ever seen!! Awesome job on this video!!!
I had many land nav courses throughout my Army career. This video is one of the clearest at explaining some of the more adnanced concepts. Outstanding work!
I teach land navigation classes to children and adults. It is very difficult to get all of the ideas across without the prticiants becoming discouraged. You did an excellent job!!
I have NEVER been hiking or camping BUT I MUST SAY that THIS was a GREAT VIDEO for ANYONE to watch. I learned some basic but invaluable navigation lessons here. Thank you Sir.
I've watched your navigation vids several times. You're the best because you don't rush through the information. You take the time to clearly explain these concepts in a way that they can be easily understood.
You have given the best instruction with clear explanations of use of the compass. I hate to say but after owning my compass for more decades than I want to admit and looking at multiple confusing books by experts, I understood very little until now. Thank you so much and please keep teaching because you are giving a great service. I'm inspired to learn more because when I am in the woods I have limited my self to visual recognition of my surroundings. I want to be able to use the compass and map effectively.
Fantastic to hear you liked the video that much! I think a lot of the navigation and compass experts have so much knowledge that they have no idea how to explain it in simple terms. I try to keep things as simple as possible. Keep learning, keep practicing and thanks for watching
In my Army days navigation was quite often one of the more difficult courses,especially during very dark nights with zero light tolerance. A refresher course can always be useful. Thank you
I'm pretty good at day navigation but sometimes I have problems when it's super dark outside since I have to use certain trees as starting bearings. Thanks for watching James
I learned map reading and land navigation in Special Forces Basic. It served me well in more advanced training and in combat. I graduated First In Class from the IFFV Artillery Officers Advanced Course. I not braggingly, but confidently, state that I was probably the most proficient Forward Artillery Observer in 2/503RD PIR 173RD ABN BRIGADE only because I knew how to read a military map and compass. I credit my instructors.
Glad you explained the diff. between true north and mag. north. Another thing folks need to keep in mind, is when the sun rises it is not true east. The way you showed is the best way to, pin point a rout. I can remember as a young guy, my Grandpa, would test us boys by taking off a day a head and leaving us the directions written down to find where he set up camp. He also made sure that he had the,"food". We didn't find him, we didn't eat that night. We learned early on to pack, "snacks".
In 1978 my Science teacher took us outside in the school yard with a compass to try to find things he mark ,I didn’t have a clue you sure brought some light to using a compass thank you
My Grandpa taught me how to use a compas as a kid and I am greatful for that. You really made this easy to understand. This could be the differance between life and death when someone gets lost in the woods.
Thanks! I think anyone that spends time outdoors should learn and carry a compass. It could easily save a life. Thanks for the comments and thanks for watching
Im an old guy who used to know these things. Never thought someone could teach me something that I thought I knew. You sir , are a excellent teacher. My Life Scout days were never this clear and precise. Keep making the tubes.
October 6th 2022 ** U did really great explaining this to me I have actually learned More from you than anyone else U r the only 1 who has actually broke it DOWN I have MY very 1st compass at age 60 YES U HEARD RIGHT NEVER WAS TAUGHT R EVEN SHOWN UNTIL NOW THANKS FOR THIS
You have covered a really complex topic extremely well. Your comment about carrying 2 compasses to give you confidence in the heading rather than mistrust the heading taken from 1 compass is an excellent idea. That exact piece of advice kept me from getting lost while traveling through unknown territory once. I would have sworn my compass had gone somehow wacko until I pulled out my second compass and it supported the heading I read on the first compass. That is likely a piece of advice the individual wouldn't have read in a book but you gave in this video. Excellent job on your part! Thank you for taking the time to do this video right. I know it was not easy to do so in a way that tied all the pieces together . . . but, you did it!
Thanks Bob! I can tell you speak from experience! A lot of folks think it cant happen but sometimes you question what a compass says. So its good to know for sure.
This is one of these things ,if you read about it, it is a lot harder to understand,then when you have your compas and test it out ,and it's making sense while using it Wel explained Dave
Great video. You made a great description of how the declination constant works, and why. A simple trick for getting that back sighting/azimuth, rather than messing up your compass settings, is to just read the white arrow. To your bearing, it is always 180 degrees off, so you will still know you are on line. Another thing I like to point out with these kinds of videos: "Make sure you are reading the compass, and not the needle.". Many times I have found people do not understand this little point, and I can give examples (not necessary here). The needle points north. That is all it does. The compass itself, gives the direction/ azimuth/bearing you need to travel/identify. From experience, 3 degrees can make quite a distance, over a mile. 1 degree can be the difference between finding and missing a point.
Great video and thank you for the explanation and information. I was taught how to use one as a kid and my father make sure he knew what I was doing with it. Fast forward to today and now there are so many things that can affect compass readings, and really get you mixed up. People, please don't forget that your speaker in your phone and other electronics has a magnet and quite frankly, any electronic device can throw off a compass. "no matter where you go, there you are."
When ya get a chance, show others how to remagnetize their compass needles. I once lost compass use when it was in my work bag with my drill batteries. Its easy but can be confusing. I saved a 30 dollar compass by doing what I'm sure you know already. Thanks again for what you do Dave. I got that new Churchill movie out of the way so I could save the best for last. Hope you have a prosperous month.
Wow. That was an absolutely excellent explanation with enough detail for a comprehensive understanding of the physical compass. I’m pretty sharp with its use and can say for sure that anyone watching should easily be able to make sense of the compass’s operations. Nice job!! Thanks for creating this content and I will absolutely be passing this around!!! 👍🏻😎👍🏻
thank you for the video that was extremely informative and helpful. things to remember: How to account for Magnetic declination when reading a map. 23:19. If it's a negative (--) West Declination then you have to go to magnetic declination website and add that amount to the degrees you see on the map. If you 're living in a place with Positive (+) East Declination then you have to go to magnetic declination website and subtract that amount from the degrees you see on the map.
Best job I’ve seen on this subject. One of the instruction videos I watched pointed out a Mountain Peak in the distance as their “Orange Vest”...I found that very difficult to understand but YOUR tutorial on the subject Nailed It...Thank You...as I wander out in my back yard here in Texas and try to work this out on my own!
For as difficult as that seemed for you to piece it all together and then to explain it, you did a fantastic job! I never thought I would find the subject so interesting, but the truth is compasses have always frustrated me and fascinated me at the same time. I learned a great deal from you in this lesson. I wrote it all down and now I have to look for someone to share it all with. Great job! Thx!
Well, I'm to the end of the video and I actually understand how to adjust for declination and why, how to find a bearing, how to locate a bearing, and even how to take a back bearing in case you have to cross a lake or some other obstacle and need to make sure you're on the right path. Thanks a lot! I can see how this was a really tough topic to not only explain, but also to film. Thank you so much for your effort and hard work!
I take my hat off to you for taking on this task of explaining a compass to your subscribers. That is true dedication to the sport, and love for your subscribers. For your information, your explanation was crystal clear. It was so clear that Ray Charles or Stevie Wonder could find their way out of any wilderness. Thank you for going the extra mile on this subject.
all of your videos are easy to understand because you are so patient and go to great lengths to explain it clearly...I appreciate you! ps...I'm a woman who LOVES being in the woods doing stuff like what you do! and your "big blade video" was one of my most favorites!! I LOVE knives and things that chop! I just received my Gransfors Bruks small forest axe and think that your blade video will help me to get the perfect machete (and i'm desperate for a neck knife now!! Love how you use the cordage and that you can SEW!! geez... and those bacon & egg plugs...I made some and added sausage too which turned out really good. Thank you for sharing! you are amazing! Sorry for the ramble but I have binge watched you for 2 days in a row...lol
Thanks and that's great to hear! You definitely got a good axe. Any Mora will make a good neck knife. Let me know if you have any machete questions. Post them on the big blade video so I can find them. Thanks for watching!
Your right there are a ton of compass videos on UA-cam. But this was by far the best explanation and I learned so much. Even though I stumbled across it 5 years later. Thank you!!
Hey Dave. Just to add an update to your compass introduction that our K-9 Search and Rescue Instructor passed along to us after some of us happened to make a Big mistake in our "outdoor class" was placing a Map and Compass , ** on the hood of a car or truck** and taking a bearing, or placing a Map and Compass on a **wood table (with nails or screws)** One's "Direction of Travel** will be compromised by the Metal of the hood of a car or truck and the nails or screws in a wood table. Some of our class members were like one eye'd ants going round in circles. It's the little things, that can make a Big difference in one's choice of land navigation.
wow i really have lot to catch up on here on Your fantastic channel my friend. Thanks again for sharing great material. Greetings from WW2HistoryHunter
I watched this video when there were a few comments had to come back for a refresher course,for my grandson love the way you make it easier.keep those videos coming.
Thank you for such an interesting and informative lecture on how to use a compass as I have never used one and your explanation is more than adequate and easy-to-remember. I just realized that all the points on the compass that are part of the 8-star coordinates equal to the number 9 if you add all numbers separately. Except for the True North point at 0, 45-degrees at NE is 4 +5=9. E at 90 degrees is 9+0=9. SE at 135 is 1+3+5=9. S at 180 degrees is 1+8+0=9. SW at 225 degrees is 2+2+5=9. W at 270 degrees is 2+7=9. NW at 315 degrees is 3+1+5=9. The compass is one of those mystical number sequences that appears to have an internal grand design based on the number nine. I saw once a video on how Tesla claimed that the numbers 3/6/9 have highly significance and I think I will watch that video now. I never thought about this until I watched your video and how you so well broke down the directions and declination and all that good stuff, which brought me to thinking about higher mathematics.
I used to navigate under water, 80 feet, using my compass. This is a very good video. Would like to see more about map reading. Former general aviation pilot.
Watched a second time. This is the best video for understanding a compass when no one understands compasses anymore. I understood nothing except it points north before this.
Thank you. I've been trying to understand this for sometime. I started trail running and would like to do longer hikes. I use a compass for basic in and out hunting but not to use headings or destination points. Very helpful. I've wanted to use topo maps but never fully understood them. Your video has given me some confidence. Now all I have to do is out it into practice. Thank you again
I've been studying "Be an Expert with Map & Compass" third edition by Bjorn Kjellstrom and I wanted to say thank you for your tutorial because your on point and easy to understand. And I agree learning to navigate by compass is complex but rewarding.
Man I really appreciate this video! I'm 54 years old and own a couple of compass and to be honest I hunt and fish and am a outdoor person not a city boy.. but I never actually knew how to use one! You explained it perfectly! And I'm not sure where you are from but I'm in western NC and you sound just like everyone I talk to . I completely understood everything you said! Thanks again bro!
You are very welcome Tim and I'm glad you liked it! I live in North Georgia, we pretty much all sound the same down south. Lol, thanks for watching brother
This is a good video for sure. I had some compass training in the Scouts 40 years ago and some training in the state guard about 10 years ago. I have always been unsure whether to add or subtract the declination degrees. I got it now and appreciate your work here, its simple enough for a beginner and a good refresher for those who already know (or think they know). Thanks. By the way, when we were in the Scouts many of the Scoutmasters were veterans so when we went on a week long camp we had to have someone on guard all night in one hour shifts. You better know which tent your relief is in and where he is in the tent so you dont wake up the wrong person !
Thanks John, I'm glad you liked it. I was a scout leader myself, those were some great years! Sounds like you had some exciting scout trips too. Thanks for watching
@@GTNBY2 lol 😂 I laughed out loud and my dog jumped onto my lap!! I did orienteering years ago when I was young, and I am an engineer's daughter, so I love this comment! 👍🏾😁
Just ran across this video. Whole world of folks whose head woulda been spinning 5 minutes in. Really good job of splainin a difficult to splain subject.
When I was training troops in navigation, I recommended not using a map older than 5 years. On all Ordnance survey maps, at the top it shows the magnetic declination, date of the map and how much Mag north moves each year and + or - from Mag north. This reinforced the importance of having a good quality compass & accurate map. Once your bearing is taken, locate a prominent object or feature and put the compass away until that is reached! Walking while looking at the compass is a sure way to get lost, I good rule to remember is for every degree off line = 100 yards in each mile travelled. I admire you tackling such a difficult subject on video, and I must say with a deal of success, well done Dave! I did this in 6 - 30 minute lessons including practices of aiming off & boxing obstacles.
Dave, you gave us valuable information. I fully agree, close the compass before traveling to the object. There will be many other issues that need you sight attention on the way. Your rule of 1 degree = 100 yards should keep folks focused.
Dave Hogg grateful we have men in this world like you thanks for your service sir. Your usually only as good as your teaching unless your not smart enough to retain information. We all learn different didn’t excel in class with boring teaching love hands on . My Coast Guard teacher HG had a way that always stuck navigating.True Virgins , Variable Make Magnetic Dull Direction Companions Compass that was 1979 Coast Guard Port Arthur Texas training have never forget his training, teaching, or very vocal this was giving me training that led me into running 65 to 150 ton crew boats while the oil field was booming until 2001 had one bad day running aground when sand bar moved coming out of Morgan City La not because of training all because I didn’t pay attention to tide that night. I’m telling you this because if I didn’t have a great teaching before getting my 100 Captains License in 1982 at the age of 19 I would of probably had many navigational problems as many at the time did. Good teaching is hard to come bye in reality my navigational training probably wouldn’t of got me killed but good military training could dam sure get you killed.
I once gave a dismounted land navigation class in the Army National Guard when a captain asked why he needed to know how to use a map, compass and protractor because he had a GPS app on his phone. When the practical exercise portion, I collected all cells and GPS's. As I watched the CPT go 180⁰ the wrong way, I should have given him a crash course in wilderness survival, but he started to wonder into an impact area.
Van A Dee Not unpleasantly long winded I totally agree he has a good lesson plan. 👍Thank you! Cleared up and illuminated several concepts for me. Especially that back bearing explanation. 👍👊🏻😁
Hi David, I have just discovered your channel and just can’t get enough of your knowledge and wisdom when out on the trail. Now I like to consider myself a seasoned hiker, but haven‘t done any overnight stays on my own in the woods or mountains - yet. Hiking routes where I come from are extremely well marked and mapped out. However, it has often happened that when out hiking with a friend, we are chatting away nineteen to the dozen and not paying attention to where we‘re going when suddenly we find ourselves on an unmarked trail and have to traipse all the way back. Having watched your video on using a compass, I went out and bought myself one plus a map of my area and am now learning how to use them both. This is rather a long winded way of saying „thank you“ for motivating me to learn something new so that I may rely on my own judgement rather than follow signs blindly. Looking forward to seeing you in the next one!
Hello my friend! Great to hear you got a compass and are learning it. You're already a step ahead when you realize "yes, I can get lost at any time on any trail" Take care and thanks for watching!
I started backpacking in 1971 and because of my Army training I knew how to use it. I met people in the high Sierra with a map, but no compass. They almost always asked just where they were on cloudy days when they couldn't tell which way was which and mountains in every direction and the trail covered up with snow. No GPS and you better carry a compass and a map.
While in urban areas one should also remember that power lines, running vehicles, poles, generators and transformers can also cause local attraction of the needle
I have never none how to read a compass. Now I think with some practice i can figure it out. Thank you so so much for taking the time to teach us all the things you have. Please keep making more videos, they help so much. Thank you all. Have a blessed day.
A most excellent and informative video as always. One thing i think for people new to learning to use one is all the junk ones out there because there is so many of them.. n that can definitely mess you up.
GOOD VID DAVE! (that was as loud as I could type it) but I have been procrastinating on my inclination to learn about declination having something to do with perspiration of the education concerning my location and imagination. Not that this is prevarication just a statement of viewer dedication. Thanx
Thanks for the great tutorial. It brought me back to when I first learned all of this. I even found my trusty Silva compass from 1972. I saw the small bubble in it and thought it sprung a leak, until I went back to your video and saw the exact same bubble on yours. What I didn’t relearn was the tidbit about “red in the shed”. I won’t forget that’n.
You are very welcome Jon and I'm glad you liked it! I noticed something, several of my compasses develop a bubble during the winter months and during the summer they'll go away! Thanks for watching
Don't know how I missed this one till now. You did a good demonstration and everything was clear. I would only like to say to those not map savi, until you are comfortable with a map and compass or are just wondering in the woods, you can get by not worrying about declination. If you line the compass with the grid lines on a map, you can still use the reading on the compass to get there. It may not be the correct true north degree, but the lake(whatever) on the map is still in the same place it would be if the degree had been declination corrected, your just using the mag north for reference. Unless your going to 45,15 25 x 61.19.07, the degree number's are not important. By using the grid and compass lined up magnetic, the compass will still lead you to where your going, as long as your not going to a specific geographic degree point. OK, is everybody really confused now?
Thanks Rick and very well said. If one isn't using a map and just navigating by compass? No worries about declination. Just follow magnetic north and plot a course.
You do very good work in your videos. You are a hoot to listen to but, the time and effort you put out there show through in very well done videos. you have an easy to listen to the voice which opens ears to listen. I personally have learned much from all your videos and I truly appreciate them muchly. Keep up the great works and keep em coming, my friend. Help us learn and in turn we can help others
Good video-I especially liked the way you repeated things to make sure we "got it". The older I get the more I need that. I suspect that you might have another outdoor skill which I never have had and you could do a video on-if you haven't already-that's tying knots. Is that true?
This is the Dave Pearson draw my life video we've been waiting for! Haha! On a serious note though, this video had been the most helpful I've seen. Coalcracker bushcraft uploaded a video recently about compasses and it just went right over my head. I guess I require a lot of explanation to get it through my thick skull lol. I watched the other video you posted and it had good info too. It's got me to thinking that I need to get me a good one or two now as well.
When you "splane" it, its "clear as mud"! Love it! Thank you for the magnetic declination info, for the importance of a updated map! I never would have had a clue about it! As always Thank You Dave!
Thanks. I've been watching your vids for some years now and I always learn a lot from them as well as being entertained at the same time (best way to learn). I have to say that I think this is the best compass and orientation tutorial i've seen. The 40 odd minutes flew by and I'm looking forward to getting out with a new enthusiasm. Cheers. Take Care.
I havent used a compass in at least 12 years, and man I watched 4 videos, and this one clicked for me thank you so very much! You might save or already have saved a few lives with this essential knowledge! Thank you!
Surprised to see a video on your busy work schedule, so thanks. I think that pot lid you drew a circle around is valuable because I think it was made to fit many different diameter pots... thus the rings. xoxo from sunny 🌞 Arizona, 83/50f today.
All in all this video is pretty good. More easy and informative than i thought it would be. Thanks for taking the time to create and share it. I appreciate your help.
Do you know the manufactures model number. I see different models on the Suunto website and would like to have the same one as you. There seem to be many MC-2 models to choose from.
East is least, West is best. East declination you subtract the declination. West declination you add the declination. (when using a map for navigation) Great video. Would you consider a video explaining Ranger Beads and pace counting. Subbed and thumbs up.
Scott, that is only half of the story. What you say is true if you are converting from a map to a compass. If you are converting from compass to map, it is the opposite. Below are some examples. The first example matches what you are saying, but I will follow with another example that explains the rest. Example one: Let's say you are in western North Carolina and you are in your base camp. You see a small lake on your map that you want to fish. First, you have to use your map, based on your true north grid lines, to determine how many degrees from true north the lake is from your base camp. Then you have to calculate your declination from Grid North to Magnetic North. Let's say the map indicates your declination to be -7 degrees west. You will add 7 degrees to your Grid reading. So if the lake is 58 degrees Grid North on the map, it will be 65 degrees Magnetic North using your compass. The way I remember this is "Grandma" or GMAW. GMAW being a conversion from (G)rid to (M)agnetic, you (A)dd when your declination is (W)est. Example two: Let's say you are in your base camp and you see a prominent mountain peak that you want to explore, but you're not sure exactly which direction it is. You use your compass to take a Magnetic bearing. Now, you want to find or plot it on your map. You are now converting from Magnetic North to Grid North. Your Magnetic bearing happens to read 157 degrees so you will subtract 7 degrees from that and your grid bearing on your map will be 150 degrees from your base camp. If you are west of the Agonic line where your declinations are east, everything will be the opposite. I don't try to remember multiple sayings for east and west and then again for grid to magnetic, and magnetic to grid. I just remember GMAW, and the rest can be figured out from that. For instance, if GMAW equals Grid to Magnetic, Add for a West declination, then it's easy to say I need to subtract for an east declination when converting from Grid to Magnetic. Likewise, if using GMAW as my foundation, I know to subtract the declination when converting from magnetic to grid when the declination is west, or to add when it is east. Essentially, your comment is correct, but only when doing Grid to Magnetic conversions. Magnetic to Grid conversions are the opposite. Another thing that can be confusing for people is that when you are east of the Agonic line, your declination is west, and when you are west of the agonic line, your declination is east. Hopefully, I haven't confused anyone. I have an entire curriculum for teaching land navigation. It's an 8 hour class, and another half day in the field practicing.
Just got a compass yesterday for Christmas. Had no idea how to use it other than the needle points north. Feels like I watched 100 videos in less than 24 hours and was still confused about the terms and how to get back and such. Thank you so much for taking the time to break things down!! I'm finally grasping it. Now I just have to practice. Good job on the video, thanks again and Happy New Year!
I'm saving this one, Dave! Well done, Sir! As a former geology student and former navy guy, I understood about magnetic north, true north, declination, etc, but I never truly learned to use a compass! Weird, I know! Never knew what the mirror was for until now. Sure, I could have read up on the subject like I do on everything else, but I haven't hiked or camped in decades and figured I would forget everything I read by the time I needed to use a compass. But I downloaded this video, I have a compass, somewhere. I will practice. Thanks, Dave!
Keeper, you just hit the nail directly on the head!! No matter how well you THINK you know how to use a compass from WATCHING Dave's video now, you will NOT understand AND be comfortable with using a compass UNTIL you physically go outside and USE that compass YOURSELF!! AND you need to do it directly after watching Dave's video so that all that information is fresh in your mind! Go to somewhere that you are familiar with, a hiking trail that you use regularly, a state park that you are familiar with, somewhere where you have a feel for where you are located to begin with, no matter if you are half way down a trail, standing in a parking lot, or out bushwhacking off trail and in the woods. It does no good whatsoever to strike out on your own, in territory you are NOT familiar with, when you are first LEARNING to use a compass! ..... Why?? ..... Because you will promptly get yourself REALLY lost and not know how to find your way back out again! You have to understand that your compass is your only TOOL to find your way from where you ARE to where you WANT TO BE!! Once you can read bearings and follow a bearing to a point ahead of you on your trek, and then be able to get yourself BACK to the place of origin using nothing but the readings on your compass ...... even though you know in your head how to return to that parking lot, you must DEPEND on your compass readings to get there or there is no point to the exercise. It took me many years to understand all the fine points of using and understanding all the little marks and numbers on a real compass and know how they relate to getting me back to a known spot on the earth to which I wanted to be. Take NOTHING for granted when learning to use a compass to navigate through a territory in which you are not familiar, the whole point in this video is to learn how to find yourself OUT of danger and not rely on what your mind THINKS it recognizes as a trail or a direction to go. By definition, the word "LOST" is saying that you DON'T know where you are located and need to depend on your knowledge of using your compass to get you back to familiar territory. You simply cannot do that if you don't know how to read the information that the compass is providing for you to decide which way to go and what direction is proper to move you out of danger and back into the area you DO recognize as familiar to you. A test of what you know can be as simple as going to a large indoor shopping mall and, using nothing else but readings from your compass, not any visible reference points, (like making a left at the Tommy Hilfiger store), find your way through that mall to a point of reference at the far end of the mall. Or finding your way to the other end of the parking lot outside by using the compass instead of your line of sight. depend on only vague points of reference ie., "I know the other end of the parking lot is somewhere west of here" and then take a reading of a flag pole or traffic light that lines up with your sighting through your sight window on your compass using West as your sight path. The traffic light is your "tree" that you will shoot for in the "forest". And you should be at the other end of the parking lot if you read and followed your directions given to you by your compass. DEPEND on your compass readings! Once you understand the readings and what they tell you and when to use them, you will also find that they will NEVER tell you false information! West is ALWAYS West and it doesn't matter if it is high noon or midnight, you can depend on that reading IF you learned your lessons correctly on understanding and using a compass. I speak from first hand experience, being "disoriented" in totally foreign lands and in dense wilderness and unknown terrain more than once in my life. Without a compass to guide me and knowing how it operates and what information it could tell me, you would not be reading these words on this channel today.
being at the ol' helm was a little diff, steering magnetic and 'Gyro" was diff, now to go into the wild with my grand kids your lesson helped thanks Dave, will keep this one on file and exp to see more.
Hey Everybody! Just a heads up, I am working 12 hour days, seven days a week for the entire month of February. That's no days off at all for a month so I wont be answering the comments very fast this time. I'll get to them as time allows. Y'all take care.
Assho**s and elbows brother Have a good month and we'll see ys when we see ya
Wow, that’s some schedule!
Reallybigmonkey1 have fun with them hours!
Roger.Wilco....
Wow, I know that feeling. Be careful and take care brother.
I spent 23 years in the Navy as a Navigator and this is the best lesson I've ever seen on using a compass.
Thank you Danny!
@@Reallybigmonkey1
If I may ask sir, what make is that compass.? I have a small cheap clear one, but I would like to try that one with the mirror.
@@jenky1044 I believe it's a Suunto MC2 🙂
@@destinationbushcraft1833
Thank you for your help. I picked one up a couple of months ago.
@@jenky1044 sorry for the belated reply, I do hope you're enjoying your compass :D
I was in 6th Grade in 1978 , Stone Mill Elementary School in Stone Mountain , Georgia . Our math teacher taught us geometry , geology , map and compass , latitude and longitude . We had a field day navigating around our school yard with magnetic compasses . At that time the Agomic Line ran just through the Atlanta , Georgia area . She taught us about magnetic declination but it wasn't an issue for us at that time . Fast forward to 1985 . I joined the navy and was picked to become a radar operator . The course was 17 weeks long . There were two classes starting in the same week with about 45 students and two instructors for each class . Compass and map was week 1 . One student in my class failed out in the first hour of day one of the first week . 17 weeks later 76 students graduated and I was number 6 in grades . So graduation rate was about 80% or so . I sailed around the world for ten years . I've sailed the Persian Gulf twice , crossed the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans , navigated the Mediterranean and Caribean Seas and sailed off the Pacific coasts of North Korea and Russia . Dave , you did a pretty good job of explaining compass use in this video , take it from a " one upon a time " professional compass and map guy in the military .
Ah yes ... back in the day when they taught practical skills and used real-life to explain how things like Geometry and Geography mattered !
Well done, Victor.
"Thank you for your Service" -- LOL
-- Alan
Former SGT, United States Army
Victor Waddell, that’s amazing! I’ve never heard of map and compass being taught in school. That would have helped me a lot in geometry!
Susan Stoltz. Most school students are taught under the Common Core curriculum now . There's no time to teach them these skills anymore .
How's bragging camp going?
@@mrhighjynx
Hush up Randy
This chap is the only adviser you need for hiking . Truthful and no BS. Down to earth like a backwoodsman should be.Excellent explanation BTW.I REALLY mean that.
Thank you my friend!
I was in the 1st Armored Division as an armored reconnaissance specialist. I was taught extensively in map/compass navigation. Your explanation is by far the best I have ever seen!! Awesome job on this video!!!
Really? That's fantastic to hear that!
@@Reallybigmonkey1 Yep, put in simple terms that people can understand and retain!! Great job!!
Yes, great job going "Barney style". Easy to understand, for everyone.
Even us big apes...lol
I agree. When I learned Map reading this would have made it so much easier as an Armor Co Commander
I signed up for the Army in 1980. I was nineteen delta.
I truly don't understand people that get lost.
I bought a new compass after watching. Told a friend of mine to watch you video. He is convinced he needs a real compass. Thank you.
That's great to hear Josh!
I had many land nav courses throughout my Army career. This video is one of the clearest at explaining some of the more adnanced concepts. Outstanding work!
Fantastic to hear that my friend!
Did they teach you regarding stationary non-rotating earth? Like many of the declassified documents explain
I teach land navigation classes to children and adults. It is very difficult to get all of the ideas across without the prticiants becoming discouraged. You did an excellent job!!
Thank you Stephanie! That's great to hear!
Agreed very competent
I have NEVER been hiking or camping BUT I MUST SAY that THIS was a GREAT VIDEO for ANYONE to watch. I learned some basic but invaluable navigation lessons here.
Thank you Sir.
Thanks, I'm glad you liked it that much! Thanks for watching
You've NEVER been hiking?
Its just walking.
Nature is everywhere.
Get out there...✌have fun.
I've watched your navigation vids several times. You're the best because you don't rush through the information. You take the time to clearly explain these concepts in a way that they can be easily understood.
I'm glad you like the way I do things Amy!
@@Reallybigmonkey1 A guy with a decent size ego who knows bushcrafting, camping and survival? Shoot... I'd marry ya Dave!! You ROK!!
Thank you Sir, i'm a lot more wiser than i was before pressing start...and for sure have to see it again
Fantastic to hear that Hans! And thanks for watching
Best explanation of using a compass I have ever watched well done Reallybigmonkey
Fantastic to hear that my friend!
Totally awesome every child should be taught this!!
Thank you Frank!
You have given the best instruction with clear explanations of use of the compass. I hate to say but after owning my compass for more decades than I want to admit and looking at multiple confusing books by experts, I understood very little until now.
Thank you so much and please keep teaching because you are giving a great service. I'm inspired to learn more because when I am in the woods I have limited my self to visual recognition of my surroundings.
I want to be able to use the compass and map effectively.
Fantastic to hear you liked the video that much! I think a lot of the navigation and compass experts have so much knowledge that they have no idea how to explain it in simple terms. I try to keep things as simple as possible. Keep learning, keep practicing and thanks for watching
In my Army days navigation was quite often one of the more difficult courses,especially during very dark nights with zero light tolerance. A refresher course can always be useful. Thank you
I'm pretty good at day navigation but sometimes I have problems when it's super dark outside since I have to use certain trees as starting bearings. Thanks for watching James
I learned map reading and land navigation in Special Forces Basic. It served me well in more advanced training and in combat.
I graduated First In Class from the IFFV Artillery Officers Advanced Course. I not braggingly, but confidently, state that I was probably the most proficient Forward Artillery Observer in 2/503RD PIR 173RD ABN BRIGADE only because I knew how to read a military map and compass. I credit my instructors.
@@georgerivera9220 Thanks for the comments and thanks for your service George
As a USAF Veteran you did a good job with this compass class. This will help a ton of folks.
Thanks Ed! I'm glad you liked it
Glad you explained the diff. between true north and mag. north. Another thing folks need to keep in mind, is when the sun rises it is not true east. The way you showed is the best way to, pin point a rout. I can remember as a young guy, my Grandpa, would test us boys by taking off a day a head and leaving us the directions written down to find where he set up camp. He also made sure that he had the,"food". We didn't find him, we didn't eat that night. We learned early on to pack, "snacks".
David Weirauch How neat... !
Cool! What a fun grandpa!
Looks like his plan never worked. "Damned kids! Outsmarted again!"
In 1978 my Science teacher took us outside in the school yard with a compass to try to find things he mark ,I didn’t have a clue you sure brought some light to using a compass thank you
Fantastic to hear that Robert! Thanks for watching
My Grandpa taught me how to use a compas as a kid and I am greatful for that. You really made this easy to understand. This could be the differance between life and death when someone gets lost in the woods.
Thanks! I think anyone that spends time outdoors should learn and carry a compass. It could easily save a life. Thanks for the comments and thanks for watching
I now understand a lot more about navigating by compass that I did before watching your video.
This video is great. Probably the best presentation for Compass reading I have ever seen.
Fantastic to hear that my friend!
Will watch this again (maybe several times) but with my compass in hand. Hear/See/Do. Thanks, Dave!
Im an old guy who used to know these things. Never thought someone could teach me something that I thought I knew. You sir , are a excellent teacher. My Life Scout days were never this clear and precise. Keep making the tubes.
Great to hear that Bobby!
I 2nd that!
October 6th 2022 **
U did really great explaining
this to me I have actually learned
More from you than anyone else
U r the only 1 who has actually broke it DOWN
I have MY very 1st compass
at age 60
YES U HEARD RIGHT
NEVER WAS TAUGHT R EVEN SHOWN UNTIL NOW
THANKS FOR THIS
Well I'm glad you learned from me! I tried to make it as simple as possible. Thanks for the comments and thanks for watching Trish
You have covered a really complex topic extremely well. Your comment about carrying 2 compasses to give you confidence in the heading rather than mistrust the heading taken from 1 compass is an excellent idea. That exact piece of advice kept me from getting lost while traveling through unknown territory once. I would have sworn my compass had gone somehow wacko until I pulled out my second compass and it supported the heading I read on the first compass. That is likely a piece of advice the individual wouldn't have read in a book but you gave in this video. Excellent job on your part! Thank you for taking the time to do this video right. I know it was not easy to do so in a way that tied all the pieces together . . . but, you did it!
Thanks Bob! I can tell you speak from experience! A lot of folks think it cant happen but sometimes you question what a compass says. So its good to know for sure.
totally! I still have my two thirty year old Suunto orienteering compasses, in addition to the garmin tactix charlie and garmin handheld.
From a military man, much respect to you for making this video. Good info, brother.
Thank you Rob!
Rob James your not military or you would not think its good its called resection and why do you need this if you were military were you a gold brick ?
@@djones9122 Cut the crap!-I was-Vietnam-and if Rob says he was-take him at his word!
I've been watching countless compass videos... Yours is the first one I actually understand. Thank you so much!
Fantastic to hear that my friend!
This is one of these things ,if you read about it, it is a lot harder to understand,then when you have your compas and test it out ,and it's making sense while using it
Wel explained Dave
so steve mml
You are an excellent teacher. Congratulations!!!
thanks Carlos!
Man that blew me away Your explanation was so easy for me to understand with a couple of rewinds so I can digest the material.
Great job!
Fantastic to hear that Mark! I'm glad you liked it
Great video. You made a great description of how the declination constant works, and why.
A simple trick for getting that back sighting/azimuth, rather than messing up your compass settings, is to just read the white arrow. To your bearing, it is always 180 degrees off, so you will still know you are on line.
Another thing I like to point out with these kinds of videos:
"Make sure you are reading the compass, and not the needle.".
Many times I have found people do not understand this little point, and I can give examples (not necessary here).
The needle points north. That is all it does.
The compass itself, gives the direction/ azimuth/bearing you need to travel/identify.
From experience, 3 degrees can make quite a distance, over a mile. 1 degree can be the difference between finding and missing a point.
I'm glad you liked the video Gregg and you made some very good points!
Oh that's great! I never heard about getting back on track after circling a lake. Very helpful!
Great video and thank you for the explanation and information. I was taught how to use one as a kid and my father make sure he knew what I was doing with it. Fast forward to today and now there are so many things that can affect compass readings, and really get you mixed up. People, please don't forget that your speaker in your phone and other electronics has a magnet and quite frankly, any electronic device can throw off a compass. "no matter where you go, there you are."
Thanks, I'm glad you liked it. Very good point on watch what can effect a compass!
When ya get a chance, show others how to remagnetize their compass needles. I once lost compass use when it was in my work bag with my drill batteries. Its easy but can be confusing. I saved a 30 dollar compass by doing what I'm sure you know already. Thanks again for what you do Dave. I got that new Churchill movie out of the way so I could save the best for last. Hope you have a prosperous month.
Wow. That was an absolutely excellent explanation with enough detail for a comprehensive understanding of the physical compass. I’m pretty sharp with its use and can say for sure that anyone watching should easily be able to make sense of the compass’s operations. Nice job!! Thanks for creating this content and I will absolutely be passing this around!!! 👍🏻😎👍🏻
Thanks Scott! I'm glad you liked the way I did this. Thanks for watching my friend
I was lost till I found this video. LOL. Very informative. I have learned a lot about compasses that I didn't know before. Thank you!
Lol, Thank you William!
great stuff most people just think of a compass as a needle that points north they dont take the time to actually understand how to really use one
thank you for the video that was extremely informative and helpful. things to remember: How to account for Magnetic declination when reading a map. 23:19. If it's a negative (--) West Declination then you have to go to magnetic declination website and add that amount to the degrees you see on the map. If you 're living in a place with Positive (+) East Declination then you have to go to magnetic declination website and subtract that amount from the degrees you see on the map.
Thanks for the comments and I'm glad you liked the video!
don't cut your self short ever, you did a great job, very smart, thanks, George
Thank you George!
Best job I’ve seen on this subject. One of the instruction videos I watched pointed out a Mountain Peak in the distance as their “Orange Vest”...I found that very difficult to understand but YOUR tutorial on the subject Nailed It...Thank You...as I wander out in my back yard here in Texas and try to work this out on my own!
Thanks Larry! I'm happy to hear it was that helpful!
For as difficult as that seemed for you to piece it all together and then to explain it, you did a fantastic job! I never thought I would find the subject so interesting, but the truth is compasses have always frustrated me and fascinated me at the same time. I learned a great deal from you in this lesson. I wrote it all down and now I have to look for someone to share it all with. Great job! Thx!
Fantastic to hear that John! Now go and practice practice practice. Thanks for watching brother
Well, I'm to the end of the video and I actually understand how to adjust for declination and why, how to find a bearing, how to locate a bearing, and even how to take a back bearing in case you have to cross a lake or some other obstacle and need to make sure you're on the right path. Thanks a lot! I can see how this was a really tough topic to not only explain, but also to film. Thank you so much for your effort and hard work!
Fantastic to hear that Lisa and I'm glad you found this helpful!
I take my hat off to you for taking on this task of explaining a compass to your subscribers. That is true dedication to the sport, and love for your subscribers. For your information, your explanation was crystal clear. It was so clear that Ray Charles or Stevie Wonder could find their way out of any wilderness. Thank you for going the extra mile on this subject.
Thank you my friend!
all of your videos are easy to understand because you are so patient and go to great lengths to explain it clearly...I appreciate you! ps...I'm a woman who LOVES being in the woods doing stuff like what you do! and your "big blade video" was one of my most favorites!! I LOVE knives and things that chop! I just received my Gransfors Bruks small forest axe and think that your blade video will help me to get the perfect machete (and i'm desperate for a neck knife now!! Love how you use the cordage and that you can SEW!! geez... and those bacon & egg plugs...I made some and added sausage too which turned out really good. Thank you for sharing! you are amazing! Sorry for the ramble but I have binge watched you for 2 days in a row...lol
Thanks and that's great to hear! You definitely got a good axe. Any Mora will make a good neck knife. Let me know if you have any machete questions. Post them on the big blade video so I can find them. Thanks for watching!
Your right there are a ton of compass videos on UA-cam. But this was by far the best explanation and I learned so much. Even though I stumbled across it 5 years later. Thank you!!
Fantastic to hear that Randy!
Hey Dave. Just to add an update to your compass introduction that our K-9 Search and Rescue Instructor passed along to us after some of us happened to make a Big mistake in our "outdoor class" was placing a Map and Compass , ** on the hood of a car or truck** and taking a bearing, or placing a Map and Compass on a **wood table (with nails or screws)** One's "Direction of Travel** will be compromised by the Metal of the hood of a car or truck and the nails or screws in a wood table. Some of our class members were like one eye'd ants going round in circles. It's the little things, that can make a Big difference in one's choice of land navigation.
Very good point!
wow i really have lot to catch up on here on Your fantastic channel my friend. Thanks again for sharing great material. Greetings from WW2HistoryHunter
Great hearing from ya again brother!
Truly, an excellent presentation.
I watched this video when there were a few comments had to come back for a refresher course,for my grandson love the way you make it easier.keep those videos coming.
Thanks, I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for watching again!
Thank you for such an interesting and informative lecture on how to use a compass as I have never used one and your explanation is more than adequate and easy-to-remember. I just realized that all the points on the compass that are part of the 8-star coordinates equal to the number 9 if you add all numbers separately. Except for the True North point at 0, 45-degrees at NE is 4 +5=9. E at 90 degrees is 9+0=9. SE at 135 is 1+3+5=9. S at 180 degrees is 1+8+0=9. SW at 225 degrees is 2+2+5=9. W at 270 degrees is 2+7=9. NW at 315 degrees is 3+1+5=9. The compass is one of those mystical number sequences that appears to have an internal grand design based on the number nine. I saw once a video on how Tesla claimed that the numbers 3/6/9 have highly significance and I think I will watch that video now. I never thought about this until I watched your video and how you so well broke down the directions and declination and all that good stuff, which brought me to thinking about higher mathematics.
Thanks, I'm glad you liked it and thanks for the comments! Navigation and math are heavily related
I used to navigate under water, 80 feet, using my compass. This is a very good video. Would like to see more about map reading. Former general aviation pilot.
Thank you my friend!
Watched a second time. This is the best video for understanding a compass when no one understands compasses anymore. I understood nothing except it points north before this.
I love hearing that brother! Im happy it helped.
Thank you. I've been trying to understand this for sometime. I started trail running and would like to do longer hikes. I use a compass for basic in and out hunting but not to use headings or destination points. Very helpful. I've wanted to use topo maps but never fully understood them. Your video has given me some confidence. Now all I have to do is out it into practice. Thank you again
You are very welcome Dennis! Now study, watch a few more in depth vids and practice practice practice!
If college professors could communicate an idea this well the world would be a better place. I am impressed! Great video!
Thanks Joe, I'm glad you liked it. that much! Thanks for watching
Excellent!! I am 56 years old and never did get it till now. This was so helpful. Thank you!!
That's great to hear Kacy! I'm happy the video helped
That's the best compas intruction video evner 👍
Thanks!
I've been studying "Be an Expert with Map & Compass" third edition by Bjorn Kjellstrom and I wanted to say thank you for your tutorial because your on point and easy to understand. And I agree learning to navigate by compass is complex but rewarding.
That's great to hear Cliff! Yep, compasses are complex to learn but the most amazing and useful tools out in the wilderness. Thanks for watching Cliff
Man I really appreciate this video! I'm 54 years old and own a couple of compass and to be honest I hunt and fish and am a outdoor person not a city boy.. but I never actually knew how to use one! You explained it perfectly! And I'm not sure where you are from but I'm in western NC and you sound just like everyone I talk to
. I completely understood everything you said! Thanks again bro!
You are very welcome Tim and I'm glad you liked it! I live in North Georgia, we pretty much all sound the same down south. Lol, thanks for watching brother
This is a good video for sure. I had some compass training in the Scouts 40 years ago and some training in the state guard about 10 years ago. I have always been unsure whether to add or subtract the declination degrees. I got it now and appreciate your work here, its simple enough for a beginner and a good refresher for those who already know (or think they know). Thanks. By the way, when we were in the Scouts many of the Scoutmasters were veterans so when we went on a week long camp we had to have someone on guard all night in one hour shifts. You better know which tent your relief is in and where he is in the tent so you dont wake up the wrong person !
Thanks John, I'm glad you liked it. I was a scout leader myself, those were some great years! Sounds like you had some exciting scout trips too. Thanks for watching
I just went to the parts store and bought bearings to keep in my pocket.... I've never lost them...... lol
Good job on the video....
Oh seriously, you just went there ?
LO-Phucking-L
StillNoCouch I couldn't help it... :)
@@GTNBY2 lol 😂 I laughed out loud and my dog jumped onto my lap!!
I did orienteering years ago when I was young, and I am an engineer's daughter, so I love this comment! 👍🏾😁
Just ran across this video. Whole world of folks whose head woulda been spinning 5 minutes in. Really good job of splainin a difficult to splain subject.
Thank you Joe
When I was training troops in navigation, I recommended not using a map older than 5 years. On all Ordnance survey maps, at the top it shows the magnetic declination, date of the map and how much Mag north moves each year and + or - from Mag north.
This reinforced the importance of having a good quality compass & accurate map.
Once your bearing is taken, locate a prominent object or feature and put the compass away until that is reached!
Walking while looking at the compass is a sure way to get lost, I good rule to remember is for every degree off line = 100 yards in each mile travelled.
I admire you tackling such a difficult subject on video, and I must say with a deal of success, well done Dave!
I did this in 6 - 30 minute lessons including practices of aiming off & boxing obstacles.
Dave, you gave us valuable information. I fully agree, close the compass before traveling to the object. There will be many other issues that need you sight attention on the way. Your rule of 1 degree = 100 yards should keep folks focused.
Dave Hogg grateful we have men in this world like you thanks for your service sir. Your usually only as good as your teaching unless your not smart enough to retain information. We all learn different didn’t excel in class with boring teaching love hands on . My Coast Guard teacher HG had a way that always stuck navigating.True Virgins , Variable Make Magnetic Dull Direction Companions Compass that was 1979 Coast Guard Port Arthur Texas training have never forget his training, teaching, or very vocal this was giving me training that led me into running 65 to 150 ton crew boats while the oil field was booming until 2001 had one bad day running aground when sand bar moved coming out of Morgan City La not because of training all because I didn’t pay attention to tide that night. I’m telling you this because if I didn’t have a great teaching before getting my 100 Captains License in 1982 at the age of 19 I would of probably had many navigational problems as many at the time did. Good teaching is hard to come bye in reality my navigational training probably wouldn’t of got me killed but good military training could dam sure get you killed.
I once gave a dismounted land navigation class in the Army National Guard when a captain asked why he needed to know how to use a map, compass and protractor because he had a GPS app on his phone. When the practical exercise portion, I collected all cells and GPS's. As I watched the CPT go 180⁰ the wrong way, I should have given him a crash course in wilderness survival, but he started to wonder into an impact area.
Thanks for sharing that Eric! That's a perfect example of why folks need to know how to use a compass
I respect rank, but experience wins every time. Thanks for your service.
Thanks sir for your time,,I finally got it.I watch many video but never cleared it up till now. You been very patient and persistent. God bless you
Thank you Gematria! I'm happy you found it easy to understand. Thanks for watching and may God bless you too
You are a good teacher.
Dee McCaig-Awais. he is an idiot
Actually, I am a teacher; he had a really well-developed lesson plan. Thank you for your opinion. It is yours.
Dee McCaig-Awais *
@@vanadee1618 😉
Van A Dee Not unpleasantly long winded I totally agree he has a good lesson plan. 👍Thank you! Cleared up and illuminated several concepts for me. Especially that back bearing explanation. 👍👊🏻😁
Dave you are a great teacher. Thank you for your teachings. Love all your videos.
Great Video!! Great information 👍 Thanks for Sharing! Blessings
Thanks! I'm glad you liked it Annie
Hi David, I have just discovered your channel and just can’t get enough of your knowledge and wisdom when out on the trail. Now I like to consider myself a seasoned hiker, but haven‘t done any overnight stays on my own in the woods or mountains - yet. Hiking routes where I come from are extremely well marked and mapped out. However, it has often happened that when out hiking with a friend, we are chatting away nineteen to the dozen and not paying attention to where we‘re going when suddenly we find ourselves on an unmarked trail and have to traipse all the way back. Having watched your video on using a compass, I went out and bought myself one plus a map of my area and am now learning how to use them both. This is rather a long winded way of saying „thank you“ for motivating me to learn something new so that I may rely on my own judgement rather than follow signs blindly. Looking forward to seeing you in the next one!
Hello my friend! Great to hear you got a compass and are learning it. You're already a step ahead when you realize "yes, I can get lost at any time on any trail" Take care and thanks for watching!
Dave, you did a superb job at explaining this! Good teacher.
Thanks Mike!
Totally outstanding... Going to watch it a few more times. My confidence built up a few clicks. Practice, practice I can do it. Thanks you very much.
Fantastic to hear that!
Thank you for explaining how to use a compass in a way I can really understand. You make it sound so simple. Take care
You are very welcome and Thanks for watching
You're welcome. That was a fast reply. I thought you'd be working or resting. lol. Thanks for replying so fast. Now go get some rest. lol
Great job Dave! This one is going on my Facebook 👍👍
Thanks brother!
I've watched several videos on compass use. You did a great job. Much better than the rest. Thank you.
Thank you Kent!
I started backpacking in 1971 and because of my Army training I knew how to use it. I met people in the high Sierra with a map, but no compass. They almost always asked just where they were on cloudy days when they couldn't tell which way was which and mountains in every direction and the trail covered up with snow. No GPS and you better carry a compass and a map.
Fantastic comment Jimmie. You just proved that theres a lot of ill prepared folks out there on the trail
While in urban areas one should also remember that power lines, running vehicles, poles, generators and transformers can also cause local attraction of the needle
Very good point
I have never none how to read a compass. Now I think with some practice i can figure it out. Thank you so so much for taking the time to teach us all the things you have. Please keep making more videos, they help so much. Thank you all. Have a blessed day.
You are very welcome Angie. Now go practice, watch more videos and learn to trust your compass. Thanks for watching
I truly plan on it. Thank you.
A most excellent and informative video as always. One thing i think for people new to learning to use one is all the junk ones out there because there is so many of them.. n that can definitely mess you up.
GOOD VID DAVE! (that was as loud as I could type it) but I have been procrastinating on my inclination to learn about declination having something to do with perspiration of the education concerning my location and imagination. Not that this is prevarication just a statement of viewer dedication. Thanx
lol now that's funny
HUH,What did he say????
Glen, see it as fun, and a way to possibly save someone's life in the wilderness and it will be fun... 🤨😁👍🏾
Thanks for the great tutorial. It brought me back to when I first learned all of this. I even found my trusty Silva compass from 1972. I saw the small bubble in it and thought it sprung a leak, until I went back to your video and saw the exact same bubble on yours. What I didn’t relearn was the tidbit about “red in the shed”. I won’t forget that’n.
You are very welcome Jon and I'm glad you liked it! I noticed something, several of my compasses develop a bubble during the winter months and during the summer they'll go away! Thanks for watching
I hit that thumbs up before the video started 👍👍
Thanks!
Me. too. Part way through it but early on. Great job of explaining how to read a compass. Clear as mud that's settled back to the bottom of the pond !
Don't know how I missed this one till now. You did a good demonstration and everything was clear. I would only like to say to those not map savi, until you are comfortable with a map and compass or are just wondering in the woods, you can get by not worrying about declination. If you line the compass with the grid lines on a map, you can still use the reading on the compass to get there. It may not be the correct true north degree, but the lake(whatever) on the map is still in the same place it would be if the degree had been declination corrected, your just using the mag north for reference. Unless your going to 45,15 25 x 61.19.07, the degree number's are not important. By using the grid and compass lined up magnetic, the compass will still lead you to where your going, as long as your not going to a specific geographic degree point. OK, is everybody really confused now?
Thanks Rick and very well said. If one isn't using a map and just navigating by compass? No worries about declination. Just follow magnetic north and plot a course.
Great video. Thanks for taking the time and energy to explain these details. Well done.
Thanks! I'm happy you liked it
You do very good work in your videos. You are a hoot to listen to but, the time and effort you put out there show through in very well done videos. you have an easy to listen to the voice which opens ears to listen. I personally have learned much from all your videos and I truly appreciate them muchly. Keep up the great works and keep em coming, my friend. Help us learn and in turn we can help others
Thank you so much Tom! Lots more to come!
Good video-I especially liked the way you repeated things to make sure we "got it". The older I get the more I need that.
I suspect that you might have another outdoor skill which I never have had and you could do a video on-if you haven't already-that's tying knots. Is that true?
This is the Dave Pearson draw my life video we've been waiting for! Haha!
On a serious note though, this video had been the most helpful I've seen. Coalcracker bushcraft uploaded a video recently about compasses and it just went right over my head. I guess I require a lot of explanation to get it through my thick skull lol. I watched the other video you posted and it had good info too. It's got me to thinking that I need to get me a good one or two now as well.
When you "splane" it, its "clear as mud"! Love it! Thank you for the magnetic declination info, for the importance of a updated map! I never would have had a clue about it! As always Thank You Dave!
You are very welcome my friend!
Gonna watch this as soon as we get settled at home. We want to learn more about using a compass and useful tips. We liked your other video on it.
Thanks, watch when you can my friend
not too hard to grasp the use of the compass, now to watch it over again for teaching my grand kids when we hit the wilds. Appreciate all the help.
Thanks. I've been watching your vids for some years now and I always learn a lot from them as well as being entertained at the same time (best way to learn). I have to say that I think this is the best compass and orientation tutorial i've seen. The 40 odd minutes flew by and I'm looking forward to getting out with a new enthusiasm. Cheers. Take Care.
Thank you Allan and that's great to hear man!
I havent used a compass in at least 12 years, and man I watched 4 videos, and this one clicked for me thank you so very much! You might save or already have saved a few lives with this essential knowledge! Thank you!
Fantastic to hear that my friend!
@@Reallybigmonkey1 Happy new year and all the best to you and your family! Cheers
Great vid glad to see you back around
Surprised to see a video on your busy work schedule, so thanks. I think that pot lid you drew a circle around is valuable because I think it was made to fit many different diameter pots... thus the rings. xoxo from sunny 🌞 Arizona, 83/50f today.
Well I filmed two ahead of time because I knew I would be working 40 plus days straight!
I’ve owned a compass off & on since I was a kid.. Never knew there was this much too it..
Thanks for the eye opening lesson.
You are very welcome my friend and I'm glad you liked it!
I liked the direction you took this video. You really pointed out some great tips;-)
Thanks, I'm glad you liked it!
Next can you do UNDERSTANDING A WOMAN. It would really help. Thanks. 😀
More than a compass is required for that, Jim. Great suggestion though !
Just man up and ask her and be really sincere... Women can't stand someone who's passive aggressive cause It reminds them of other women lmao...
Need a phd to do that and still, even then.
@@kalijasin I have a Bachelors, pretty sure I'm doing fine babes ;)
As a woman it sounds like some of you men would need a compass to navigate a good woman...especially the good parts. Lol. Love u guys only kidding.
All in all this video is pretty good. More easy and informative than i thought it would be. Thanks for taking the time to create and share it. I appreciate your help.
Thanks Vinny, I'm glad you liked it
Great video Dave from the guy that laid his parang too close to his compass. Gets real complicated navigating around cliffs and mountains.
Thanks! And yes, it was you who I remembered telling me about that!
Amazing Video David! Many thanks. Best to you, Sepp
Thanks! Im glad you liked it Sepp!
Excellent video. Super helpful. Great personality. I really appreciate your knowledge and you sharing it.
Thank you Stephen!
Reallybigmonkey1 you’re welcome. Subscribed. And looking forward to learning more.
Can you tell me the brand and model of the compass you were using. Thanks
www.amazon.com/Suunto-MC-2-Global-Compass-Navigation/dp/B003EK1NKY/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1518235829&sr=8-5&keywords=suunto+mc2+global+compass&dpID=311BKFAsQrL&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch
Do you know the manufactures model number. I see different models on the Suunto website and would like to have the same one as you. There seem to be many MC-2 models to choose from.
No number on mine, it just says "MC-2 Global System"
OK, thank you for the quick reply anyway.
East is least, West is best. East declination you subtract the declination. West declination you add the declination. (when using a map for navigation) Great video. Would you consider a video explaining Ranger Beads and pace counting. Subbed and thumbs up.
Scott, that is only half of the story. What you say is true if you are converting from a map to a compass. If you are converting from compass to map, it is the opposite. Below are some examples. The first example matches what you are saying, but I will follow with another example that explains the rest.
Example one: Let's say you are in western North Carolina and you are in your base camp. You see a small lake on your map that you want to fish. First, you have to use your map, based on your true north grid lines, to determine how many degrees from true north the lake is from your base camp. Then you have to calculate your declination from Grid North to Magnetic North. Let's say the map indicates your declination to be -7 degrees west. You will add 7 degrees to your Grid reading. So if the lake is 58 degrees Grid North on the map, it will be 65 degrees Magnetic North using your compass. The way I remember this is "Grandma" or GMAW. GMAW being a conversion from (G)rid to (M)agnetic, you (A)dd when your declination is (W)est.
Example two: Let's say you are in your base camp and you see a prominent mountain peak that you want to explore, but you're not sure exactly which direction it is. You use your compass to take a Magnetic bearing. Now, you want to find or plot it on your map. You are now converting from Magnetic North to Grid North. Your Magnetic bearing happens to read 157 degrees so you will subtract 7 degrees from that and your grid bearing on your map will be 150 degrees from your base camp.
If you are west of the Agonic line where your declinations are east, everything will be the opposite. I don't try to remember multiple sayings for east and west and then again for grid to magnetic, and magnetic to grid. I just remember GMAW, and the rest can be figured out from that. For instance, if GMAW equals Grid to Magnetic, Add for a West declination, then it's easy to say I need to subtract for an east declination when converting from Grid to Magnetic. Likewise, if using GMAW as my foundation, I know to subtract the declination when converting from magnetic to grid when the declination is west, or to add when it is east.
Essentially, your comment is correct, but only when doing Grid to Magnetic conversions. Magnetic to Grid conversions are the opposite.
Another thing that can be confusing for people is that when you are east of the Agonic line, your declination is west, and when you are west of the agonic line, your declination is east.
Hopefully, I haven't confused anyone. I have an entire curriculum for teaching land navigation. It's an 8 hour class, and another half day in the field practicing.
Just got a compass yesterday for Christmas. Had no idea how to use it other than the needle points north. Feels like I watched 100 videos in less than 24 hours and was still confused about the terms and how to get back and such. Thank you so much for taking the time to break things down!! I'm finally grasping it. Now I just have to practice. Good job on the video, thanks again and Happy New Year!
I'm glad you found this helpful! Enjoy that compass and a Happy New year to you too!
I'm saving this one, Dave!
Well done, Sir!
As a former geology student and former navy guy, I understood about magnetic north, true north, declination, etc, but I never truly learned to use a compass! Weird, I know!
Never knew what the mirror was for until now.
Sure, I could have read up on the subject like I do on everything else, but I haven't hiked or camped in decades and figured I would forget everything I read by the time I needed to use a compass.
But I downloaded this video, I have a compass, somewhere. I will practice.
Thanks, Dave!
Keeper, you just hit the nail directly on the head!! No matter how well you THINK you know how to use a compass from WATCHING Dave's video now, you will NOT understand AND be comfortable with using a compass UNTIL you physically go outside and USE that compass YOURSELF!! AND you need to do it directly after watching Dave's video so that all that information is fresh in your mind! Go to somewhere that you are familiar with, a hiking trail that you use regularly, a state park that you are familiar with, somewhere where you have a feel for where you are located to begin with, no matter if you are half way down a trail, standing in a parking lot, or out bushwhacking off trail and in the woods. It does no good whatsoever to strike out on your own, in territory you are NOT familiar with, when you are first LEARNING to use a compass! ..... Why?? ..... Because you will promptly get yourself REALLY lost and not know how to find your way back out again! You have to understand that your compass is your only TOOL to find your way from where you ARE to where you WANT TO BE!! Once you can read bearings and follow a bearing to a point ahead of you on your trek, and then be able to get yourself BACK to the place of origin using nothing but the readings on your compass ...... even though you know in your head how to return to that parking lot, you must DEPEND on your compass readings to get there or there is no point to the exercise. It took me many years to understand all the fine points of using and understanding all the little marks and numbers on a real compass and know how they relate to getting me back to a known spot on the earth to which I wanted to be.
Take NOTHING for granted when learning to use a compass to navigate through a territory in which you are not familiar, the whole point in this video is to learn how to find yourself OUT of danger and not rely on what your mind THINKS it recognizes as a trail or a direction to go. By definition, the word "LOST" is saying that you DON'T know where you are located and need to depend on your knowledge of using your compass to get you back to familiar territory. You simply cannot do that if you don't know how to read the information that the compass is providing for you to decide which way to go and what direction is proper to move you out of danger and back into the area you DO recognize as familiar to you.
A test of what you know can be as simple as going to a large indoor shopping mall and, using nothing else but readings from your compass, not any visible reference points, (like making a left at the Tommy Hilfiger store), find your way through that mall to a point of reference at the far end of the mall. Or finding your way to the other end of the parking lot outside by using the compass instead of your line of sight. depend on only vague points of reference ie., "I know the other end of the parking lot is somewhere west of here" and then take a reading of a flag pole or traffic light that lines up with your sighting through your sight window on your compass using West as your sight path. The traffic light is your "tree" that you will shoot for in the "forest". And you should be at the other end of the parking lot if you read and followed your directions given to you by your compass. DEPEND on your compass readings! Once you understand the readings and what they tell you and when to use them, you will also find that they will NEVER tell you false information! West is ALWAYS West and it doesn't matter if it is high noon or midnight, you can depend on that reading IF you learned your lessons correctly on understanding and using a compass.
I speak from first hand experience, being "disoriented" in totally foreign lands and in dense wilderness and unknown terrain more than once in my life. Without a compass to guide me and knowing how it operates and what information it could tell me, you would not be reading these words on this channel today.
being at the ol' helm was a little diff, steering magnetic and 'Gyro" was diff, now to go into the wild with my grand kids your lesson helped thanks Dave, will keep this one on file and exp to see more.