What Do All Good Orienteering Compasses Have?
Are you looking for a guide on what do all good orienteering compasses have? Your search ends here because based on our experience in orienteering, a good orienteering compass should have a transparent base plate, magnetized needle, sighting mirror, thumb loop, clinometer, and orienting lines.
As you know, orienteering is a sport that involves navigating through unfamiliar terrain using a compass and a map. And tell us how much it would be regretting if we mistakenly forgot to watch appealing scenes due to low-quality compasses. So, when it comes to orienteering, no one should compromise on compass quality.
But for orienteers, finding a good orienteering compass is a daunting process because of the countless varieties of compasses available in the market nowadays. And the main reason behind sharing this extensive guide is to help you in choosing the right orienteering compass. Hence, stay with us to learn about good orienteering compasses.
What Do All Good Orienteering Compasses Have? 7 things
Here are some important elements that good orienteering compasses should have:
1. Transparent Base Plate
Orienteering Compasses usually features a clear base plate that lets users place the compass directly onto a map. This nifty characteristic allows them to simultaneously view the map and the compass dial, making navigation more precise.
2. Rotating Bezel
The bezel or casing of the compass holds a dial that can be turned and is marked with degrees or miles. Rotating this dial aligns it with the north-south grid lines on the map, assisting users in maintaining an accurate travel direction.
3. Magnetized Needle
In an Orienteering Compass, the needle is typically magnetized, pointing towards magnetic north. It plays a crucial role in determining cardinal directions (north, south, east, west) and aligning the compass with the map.
4. Orienting Lines
These lines on the baseplate aid users in aligning the compass with the map. Matching these lines with the grid lines on the map ensures the correct orientation.
5. Sighting Mirror
Some Orienteering Compasses come equipped with a sighting mirror for more precise readings. This feature enables users to sight a landmark or target while simultaneously observing the compass needle.
6. Clinometer
Advanced Orienteering Compasses may feature a clinometer, measuring the slope or angle of the terrain. This proves useful in estimating the difficulty of upcoming terrain.
7. Thumb Loop
Many Orienteering Compasses are designed with a thumb loop, ensuring they are easy to hold, and providing a secure grip while navigating through challenging terrain.
Does the Orienteering Compass have lines?
Yes, Orienteering Compasses often have lines or markings on their baseplate, which are known as orienting lines. These lines on an Orienteering Compass play a key role in helping users align the compass with the map, enhancing the accuracy of navigation in activities such as orienteering.
What’s an important part of a Compass?
A super important part of a compass is the magnetic needle. This tiny magnet inside the compass automatically lines up with the Earth’s magnetic field, always pointing towards the magnetic north pole. This is a big deal because it helps us to figure out directions like north, south, east, and west. It’s like a natural GPS built into the compass!
What Do All Good Orienteering Pocket Compasses Have?
It’s worth noting that compact “pocket” or “baseplate” compasses come in handy for taking bearings on control features. These compasses are small enough to fit into your pocket and feature a baseplate instead of having the map printed on the housing.
This design makes them particularly user-friendly on uneven terrain since you don’t have to constantly flip the map to ensure you’re pointing at the correct feature.
Some things should have in Orienteering Pocket Compasses:
- Baseplate
- Direction of Travel Arrow
- Magnetic Needle
- Rotating Bezel
- Orienting Lines
- Luminous Markings
FAQs
Conclusion
In conclusion, we want to say that you must keep some factors like a magnetized needle, sighting mirror, clinometer, and others in your mind that we mentioned in the article on what do all good orienteering compasses have. If you wish to take your experience to the next level, considering these factors before buying Orienteering Compasses is compulsory.
