Hey Don,
I don't know how to quote a quote of a quote, so I may mess this up a bit here.
I think I need to take a step back here. I am pretty set on the fact that I do not believe the 8099 is a good compass. Mainly because the issues I detailed.
Someone else commented that they "got used to aligning the circles different." I tried that method for awhile but find how you align them changes between 10 degrees off center, versus 20, versus 30, all the way to the worst case 45.
So, I will stand my my statement of "avoid that compass."
However, with respect to the rest of the stuff, that is where I mean to say "Let's take a step back." I am not saying that all other compasses are junk, or don't use them, or don't buy them. All I am saying is that there is a VERY EASY methods for doing things, in which a protractor style compass makes our lives easy, so why complicate things?
Let me see if I can comment on some of your comments then go from there.
"- No declination adjustment. Wrong, it's right there on the glass, you simply adjust it to the declination, or variation, as indicated in the information on your topo map or chart. Put your compass needle on that and then the lubber line, or sighting line, of the compass is oriented to true north...which is how the map is layed out."
My statement of no declination adjustment IS accurate. You can not adjust the compass. You are adjusting your map, which is fine. But, my argument is that this is not the easiest method. Here is why.
1) It forced you to orient your map to north (or magnetic north to compensate for declination as you intended). Then, you have to rotate the compass to get your bearing. In the field, I find this very difficult because it seems like the minute you move your compass, the map invariable moves. Causing you to start over. If you try to do this method on a table, counter top or any other flat surface, you can not trust the location of the north seeking needle, and therefore your bearing. Try moving your compass around a table and see what happens to the needle. Now make your best guess at where on the table you should trust your reading.
If you go with the "protractor method" you line the side of the compass up with your intended direction of travel. Then, you simply rotate the bezel so that the capsule meridians are lined up with either the map meridians (or magnetic lines if you drew them) and you are done. All you are doing is simply measuring the angle between your desired direction of travel and north. Just a measurement with the protractor. You can be doing with while jumping up and down, dancing in a circle and the north seeking needle could be spinning in circles. It is a much faster, easier, and accurate method.
"- If you don't want to remember your bearing, the bezel is only good for 3 degree clicks. Why would you NOT want to remember your bearing? If you're memory-challenged, you should be carrying a notebook to write this stuff down. It is important."
I will give you that one. You should right things down. However, that bezel is also used for nighttime navigation so that you do not have to turn on your light. Just align the glow line on the north seeking needle with the bezel glow line. I am personally not happy with 3 degrees of accuracy.
"- If you like to work in degrees, there are only 5 degree graduations. So what? Are you saying you can't visually split up 5 degrees?"
Yes, you can. But more guessing. Why so accurate a compass and having guesswork? All I am saying is that this is a drawback when compared to others.
"- You're not plotting a straight line course as they do for blue water navigation. You can't follow a straight line course over hill and dale, over the river and through the woods. You're sighting on visible landmarks, checking again and re-checking. But if you want a protractor, then carry a good one, they're lightweight. I use a 5x5" 360 degree Weems & Plath protractor that is see-through, flexible and weighs nothing. Why is it a problem to orient the map to north? That's what you want to do. And "rely on accurate magnetic reading just to get a bearing off a map"? That's what you want to do, I would think. Orienting a map in the field should not be a problem."
Again, the protractor is "just another thing to remeber" when many compasses already have them built in.
Sure, orient your map quickly for terrain recognition, and I do all the time. But as I detailed above, it is not necessary just to pull a bearing off a map.
"Uuhhh. What kind of MATH? Adding and subtracting? Angles are used for triangulating your position, or getting a "fix" on your position."
- Again, I am not saying that it is not possible. Just saying there is a much easier way, once it is learned. So why bother messing with adding and subtracting, especially when you don't have to. Wet, cold, dark, late to camp, I would rather keep it simple than adding and subtracting.
I full agree with you that terrain recognition is super valuable and the way to go. You mention that there are people out there who teach that, and I am indeed one of those
With terrain recognition your confidence goes way up, and makes traditional navigation almost unnecessary. The warning that goes with that is that it is a skill that does take a lot of time and practice to get good at. There is no question that I think it is the most valuable navigation tool. However, that was never in question in this thread.
Unfortunately, most threads are about gear (the compass) and not skills. Terrain recognition is the way to go :thumbup:
Like you said, once you understand things "any compass will do." I agree with you totally, but it is still my opinion, that if you have the choice, make it easy on yourself!!! Hence my recommendation of a compass with a protractor.
"Why is it a problem to orient the map to north? That's what you want to do. And "rely on accurate magnetic reading just to get a bearing off a map"? That's what you want to do, I would think. "
I also do find this comment odd. No offense, but by asking the question, you are telling me what you know and don't know. What you don't appear to know is the method I am talking about, yet I know the one you are talking about. Not knowing what I am talking about makes it seem odd to me that you are telling me the better way to do things.
If you are comfortable and competent with your method, then that is great. I just want to get across to people that there is an extremely easy way to do this stuff. I am trying to hand a gift, and people are fighting it. I guess I will just stop talking about navigation.
B
