Compass
Navigation Gear
A skill and gear that is often overlooked is the Map and Compass. This is a vital skill for most outdoor activities that take you more than a mile away from the parking lot.
ALL Scouts and Adults leaders should have both a Map and Compass on them on outings and know how to use them.
Compass
A compass is a precision instrument and must point north. This may sound silly, but not all compasses point north. And for the ones that do point north, there is a notable difference in quality and functionality between different brands and models.
Of all the brands of compasses out there to choose from, SUUNTO has proven to produce the most reliable baseplate style compasses.
Recommendation
Suunto A-10 Compass
Simple, high quality compass
Baseplate design allows for great utility and ease of use
Made in Finland
Suunto M-3 Compass
Next level up
Adjustable declination correction makes it much more functional for navigation
Made in Finland
Baseplate Compasses
Baseplate compasses are the simple compasses used by most outdoorsman. A translucent compass capsule is mounted on a clear baseplate, usually with a rotating bezel. They can do most tasks well and come in a small package that easily fits in your pocket.
The clear baseplate allows you to place your compass on your map to use as a protractor. This allows you to use several must know, field-expedient navigation techniques that you can't perform with an opaque base or case.
Of the many different compass designs, the Baseplate Compass design is the most practical choices for 90% of Scouts.
See Baseplate Compasses for more on this type of Compass.
Sighting Compasses
Sighting compasses are used to determine the azimuth of far away targets. These are great for finding unknown locations via Resection and Intersection methods. Targets can be pinpointed on a map via Intersection where azimuths are taken from multiple known locations and these azimuths are used to make directional lines on a map. Similarly, your unknown location can be pinpointed by taking a back-azimuth from multiple known targets (such as mountain tops) with a technique known as Resection. These techniques are used for search and rescue, determining where you are at, surveying, calling in helicopter landing zones or airstrikes.
For navigation, sighting compasses allow you to travel in straighter lines by enabling you to pick out long distance navigation points (such as tree tops) you can head towards. For those accustomed to this type of navigating, a sighting compass is a must.
See Sighting Compasses for more information on these types of compasses.
Mini Compasses
Mini compasses are great for determining cardinal directions. They allow for non-precise direction finding which is adequate for the majority of your navigation needs. These can be worn on wrists, hung from zipper or pack straps or stored in a small pocket. These make great SECONDARY compasses, but should NOT be used to replace your primary Baseplate, Mirror or Lensatic compass.
Unfortunately, most mini compasses are made in China and some are non-functional or don't last very long.
See Mini Compasses for more on these compasses.
