Navigation - Compass parts
Before you begin using a compass, lets establish the
main parts of the compass; this will help a lot in future posts when I’m
referring to details of their use.
The main working part of a compass is the magnetic ‘needle’ that floats on a central pivot (3). The red end always points to the Earth’s magnetic north pole and the outer ring is marked with the cardinal points of the compass (N-S-E-W) and every 2 degrees.
Compass parts:
1. Base plate – this is what the compass parts are mounted on and has various features such as scales and holes. The lines and edges are used for lining up map points for bearings.
2. Compass housing – within the rotating part (bezel) inside is the magnetic needle. The outside of the bezel is marked in increments up to 360°.
3. Compass needle – This should float freely in floating in a liquid (usually alcohol) so it can freely rotate. The red end always points to magnetic north.
4. Orienting lines – they are inside the compass housing and move when the bezel is turned.
5. Orienting arrow – this is fixed inside the compass housing and moves when the bezel is turned.
6. Index line –is a fixed black line within the bezel, on others it could be an arrow on the base plate and is not always present.
7. Direction of travel arrow – this is marked on the base plate and doesn’t move.
8. Compass scales or romer scales – these can help you measure on maps of different scales.
The main working part of a compass is the magnetic ‘needle’ that floats on a central pivot (3). The red end always points to the Earth’s magnetic north pole and the outer ring is marked with the cardinal points of the compass (N-S-E-W) and every 2 degrees.
Compass parts:
1. Base plate – this is what the compass parts are mounted on and has various features such as scales and holes. The lines and edges are used for lining up map points for bearings.
2. Compass housing – within the rotating part (bezel) inside is the magnetic needle. The outside of the bezel is marked in increments up to 360°.
3. Compass needle – This should float freely in floating in a liquid (usually alcohol) so it can freely rotate. The red end always points to magnetic north.
4. Orienting lines – they are inside the compass housing and move when the bezel is turned.
5. Orienting arrow – this is fixed inside the compass housing and moves when the bezel is turned.
6. Index line –is a fixed black line within the bezel, on others it could be an arrow on the base plate and is not always present.
7. Direction of travel arrow – this is marked on the base plate and doesn’t move.
8. Compass scales or romer scales – these can help you measure on maps of different scales.
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