compass declination question

Troop said:
This declination stuff has got to be the most confusing stuff ever created.
map to grid...ehhhh, subtract? If it's a negative declination you...add?? Depends, right? Unless you're in the Western states? BHAAAAAA!!!
I remember some type of rhyme to remember it, but that just confuses me even more.:confused::grumpy:
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I'm with Troop. I just learned how to read a compass last month, and now I hear that I have to adjust for declination and I can't just go by what the compass says. Well then what the heck is a compass good for, if I can't just read it as is?!
mad1.gif
For crying out loud, I don't even know what declination is.
banghead.gif


I think I'll just keep camping and hiking in places I'm familiar with, so I can just follow the compass in my head.
 
East Bay, Ca? Eh, don't worry about it, you are only about 14° east decl.:D J/k. Go get yourself a compass that adjusts for declination and no worries! Unless of course you loose the compass and have to use a regular one.....
 
stingray4540 said:
I'm with Troop. I just learned how to read a compass last month, and now I hear that I have to adjust for declination and I can't just go by what the compass says. Well then what the heck is a compass good for, if I can't just read it as is?!
mad1.gif
For crying out loud, I don't even know what declination is.
banghead.gif


I think I'll just keep camping and hiking in places I'm familiar with, so I can just follow the compass in my head.
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Stingray, If you keep all your "bearings" (azimuths, back azimuths, etc.) magnetic, you can read directly from your compass. It's when you start going from the map to compass, or compass to map, when the trouble begins.
If you orient your map to the terrain, you can also go with "direct readings" from your compass.
A lot of people just blow this stuff off, fiddle with a couple of buttons on their GPS, and be done with it. But, this is very important stuff to know.
Just my $ .02
 
First off, let me point out that I'm in no way, shape, or form affiliated with this website. I simply found it very succinct and easy to understand, and figured that those who are having trouble with declination might as well.

http://www.compassdude.com/compass-declination.shtml

The site is actually a pretty good write up on map and compass use in general, I just posted the declination to "get down to business" so to speak. Good luck out there, and don't get lost :thumbup:


Gautier
 
Gautier said:
First off, let me point out that I'm in no way, shape, or form affiliated with this website. I simply found it very succint and easy to understand, and figured that those who are having trouble with declination might as well.

http://www.compassdude.com/compass-declination.shtml

The site is actually a pretty good write up on map and compass use in general, I just posted the declination to "get down to business" so to speak. Good luck out there, and don't get lost :thumbup:


Gautier
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Wow! Thanks, Gautier. That site explains things so well, even an ol' Grunt like me can understand it.:) :thumbup:
 
Glad I could help. Personally, I've always enjoyed LandNav ever since I was in military school, right on through my enlistment. I just can't always convey what I've learned as easily as others do. So I usually link to more articulate people. :p


Gautier
 
DocArnie said:
Luckily, in central europe declination isn't important, because magnetic north and geographic north are almost identical.
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Be careful! It's not so simple! "Geographic" north varies from map to map. adjustible declination always helps. generally, before I do any hiking trip, I'll set the declination of my compass at home, in a no-pressure situation to make sure I have it right. When I'm out there, I'm typically relying on one USGS topo or two, both with the same declination, so it's something I don't have to worry about. When I get home, during unpacking, I'll zero out my compass again.
 
The magnetic north pole constantly changes it location. Grid North does not. Maps with declination diagrams are thus always out of date. Declinate your compass to you and what you are carrying (the various iron objects you are wearing) by:
1. determine the grid azimuth from your location to a clearly visible distant point.
2. Set grid azimuth on your compass and sight on the distant object.
3. Note the azimuth that your north-seeking arrow is pointing to--that is your declination.
4. For compasses with adjustable declination, set the mag arrow to the arimuth found in point 3 above.
 
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