Title: USING THE MILITARY LENSATIC COMPASS 1 USING THE MILITARY LENSATIC COMPASS PART 2 Intermediate Land Navigation Module 14 Travel Distance Estimation 2 . c. There are two methods of holding the lensatic compass and sighting. NB. 3. To obtain a heading from our map, we may use our compass as a protractor. Well use the rear bearing of it to draw a line on the map from Saddle Mountain to our approximate direction. This is because it is prepped to point instead to magnetic north once it's lined up with your compass needle. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The housing lines should be parallel with the maps vertical grid lines. . Close is good enough in horsehoes, but I'm hoping exact is the standard for artillery fire. Plot a line on the map from Saddle Mountain at 130. If youre in the Adirondacks, youll want to add 14 so your true bearing would be 194. Flip up the small magnifying glass. Shows how to use the USGI issue lensatic compass to orient the map, plot a course based on two well-defined. You discover that it has a bearing of 176. In this case, it would be 204 (24+180). Lensatic compasses are used by the United States military for a reason. A lensatic compass is just one of the many navigational tools we have built. But it isnt just magnets there are other culprits at play, here. You will receive a verification email shortly. Lensatic compasses are made up of three parts: cover, base, and reading lens. As a result, your real bearing is 166. The mils are in black, and are the outer measurements on the ring. That can make a huge difference! It is the bread and butter of navigation and a good habit to get into every time you set off in any given direction. Take a bearing to a visible landmark using your compass. Execute your docs in minutes using our simple step-by-step instructions: Get the How To Use A Lensatic Compass you need. Place your map in such a way that the terrain features line up with your maps features. Oriented the map. . ), but youre not sure where. Orient the map to the terrain. There was a problem. Read the azimuth: Lastly, ensuring the dial is floating, look down on it and read the azimuth. For this task, the lensatic compass really shines. Sounds like a lot more than a regular compass, doesnt it? Designate your starting and ending points on the map. If we didnt adjust for declination and were getting bearings for our destination from our map, well find ourselves off by 14 or more when we start walking. Because this method of orienting your map requires having visuals on features or landmarks in the terrain, good visibility is a must. The Lensatic compass is used to determine 'azimuths' or 'compass bearings' (horizontal angles). The term lensatic comes from the fact that there is a lens on the rear side of the compass that aids in the orienteering process. 3.Rotate the map and compass until the directions of the declination diagram formed by the black index line and the compass needle match the direction shown in the . Whether or not you participate in orienteering, I'm confident you'll find that a properly oriented map is a huge help in finding your way. Don't worry that your red orientating arrow doesn't point exactly map north. These other objects can interfere with compasses, and no matter how miniscule the differences may seem, it can leave an impact. Above: For this example in the Grand Canyon, grid north ("GN") differs from true . 2. Well, youre going to have to do some math with all your bearings to make sure you get a true bearing. 2. Great article! A Cumbrian born and bred, his native English Lake District has a special place in his heart, though he is at least equally happy in North Wales, the Scottish Highlands or the European Alps. Check the declination of your local location on your map or on a website. Lets say youve hiked the peak of Camels Hump in Vermont. If you want to learn Land Navigation in detail, either buy a book; or get someone, who has the knowledge and skills, to teach you in person. Advnture is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Let's have a look at the sources that constantly give favorable points. When you point your compass towards true north, the needle will point a bit to the west. The fact that they glow in the dark (especially, if they're the tritium kind which will glow for years without having to be exposed to light) means you can use your compass without a light for night navigation. We covered how to use a compass correctly, how to shoot your bearings, and the greatest map for navigating: the topo map, in Part I. Using a little screwdriver or the metal piece that came with your compass lanyard, turn the small screw. Assume youre going on a short trek from one location to another. Using the approach described above, plot that bearing on the map. While some elements of the navigation process are similar to using a baseplate compass, there are also slight differencesincluding how you hold a lensatic compass. So, if you know where you are on the map, look ahead and see what features you can see. The instances navigation needs to be most spot-on are when visibility is compromised. Fortunately, orienting your map is simple. The lensatic compass must always be held level and firm when sighting on an object and reading an azimuth. Your cheek should be resting on the base of your thumb. Leave your orientating arrow in line with the index line and the direction of travel arrow, as it will already be primed to point magnetic north. Huzzah! 4. Magnetic north is now off the coast of Greenland, but true north is at the very top of the world. To determine the direction, or bearing, from one point to another, you need a. compass as well as a map. Related Tags. Youre in the right place! So, don't sweat too much the minute details of getting your map finely oriented to the last degree with your compass. Making sure you don't move to change directions, turn the glass compass housing until the short luminous line is directly lined up with the luminous magnetic arrow. Kieran has taught mountaineering, ice climbing, and single-pitch and multi-pitch rock climbing in a variety of contexts over the years and has led trekking and mountaineering expeditions in the Alps, Rockies, and UK. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, In this situation, you can use your compass to work out which direction magnetic north is and orientate from there. Were headed to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma for this example. You will not be using it for the center-hold technique. Orient you compass with the bearing, and draw the bearing line. Hold the compass with your thumb fully in the thumb ring, and your index finger wrapped around and gripping the circular part of the underneath of the compass's base. Take a compass bearing on the peak to your southwest. This straightforward video shows both approaches to using a compass to orientate a map: All the latest inspiration, tips and guides to help you plan your next Advnture! Find out more atwww.alexfoxfield.com (opens in new tab). Next, turn the compass housing so that the index pointer corresponds to the number of degrees of the magnetic declination. Hold compass up to eye level and view larger side card for "direction-of-travel" compass. Line your orienteering compasss base plate up with the maps north-south lines. Using the rotating bezel, turn it until the direction of travel arrow lines up with the north arrow. To figure out precisely where you are on the map, you simply need one more piece of information. Navigation has taken on many forms over the years. Pull your elbows firmly into your sides; this will place the compass between your chin and your belt. Place your compass base plate on your map so the edge of the compass is aligned with the north-south meridian lines. The U.S. military M-1950 lensatic compass shown in this video is still in use today. Wrap your middle, ring and pinky finger around your thumb for support. How to Pack a Backpack Are You Doing it Right? 4. Youll want to stick to areas that are cool and dry, and dont offer any immediate threats to technological devices. 5. Adjust the compass bezel so that north on the compass corresponds to north on the map. As previously stated, orientating your map using visual features is only as good as the visibility on any given day. This involves trying to orient a map using only topographical features and your own eyesight. My 159-page, fully illustrated book is yours for the asking. Aligned the side of the compass with one of the north-south grid lines. You learn that it has a 176 bearing. See that little black outline of an arrow? You are missing your point location. 2. To make sure you receive a correct bearing, youll have to perform some arithmetic with all of your bearings. For this, they use a lensatic compass, among other navigation equipment and techniques. As you can see, the declination of the location Im in is 4E. Your action from here depends on the value and direction of your declinationeast or west. Sight: Now peek through the rear sight slot, aligning the sighting wire or the front sight to the desired direction or object. So your true bearing would be 166. To prevent this issue, well tweak our compass to account for declination. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 9-4. Make a mark with your pencil at the notch on the end furthest from the sighting wire. Magnetic north would be slightly to your right, or east, by about 14. Youll want to turn it until that black arrow outline is lined up with the 4E hash mark. 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. That has the potential to make a significant impact! No worries. If the local declination is negative, add the declination amount . When you have a line position, you know that youre on some identifiable line on the map (trail, ridge line, etc. Your compass is now set. Next, without changing the orientation of you map, move your compass so that its edge is touching the point you are plotting to/from and the compass dial reading matches your bearing. When you face true north, magnetic north is going to be left, or west, of you by about 14. You have your point location when you know precisely where you are in reference to your map. a. Hold your compass in the two-hand hold, steady and level in front of you. Ymiko Compass Survival,Compass For Kids,Compass Hiking Durable Shockproof Waterproof Brass Camping Tools For Navigation Outdoor. 2. Survival Compass, Military Compass Hiking, Orienteering Lensatic Compass, Waterproof Navigation Compasses, Survival Emergency Luminous Sighting Compass. Experience is the best way to learn and wed highly recommend booking a navigation course to really hone your skills. Come to think of it, I dont even know if he had a compass. You need to know where youre going before toying with the compass. Theyre not traditionally used for camping trips or simple navigation, but if youre serious about prepping, this is a must-have in your EDC bag and bug out bag. On your map, place your compass. What wildlife can you see at Yellowstone National Park? Conversely, the black end of the compass needle should be pointing south. Step 4: Walk along the path and make sure your compass always points North. When you point your compass towards true north, your compass needle is going to point a little to the west. The legend. Used the G-M angle formed by the . To begin, use your compass to locate a peak on Saddle Mountain. This is a hard and fast guide on how to use your lensatic compass with a map, which is what it was designed for. You want to know how to use a lensatic compass? Align the map so that the top of the map is parallel with the direction north based on the compass.