How To Use Fixed Scale Compass Declination, by Very Survival on YouTube. 7 min 58 s.
- Video length
- 7 min 58 s
- Time to do it
- 10 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Look up the magnetic declination for your area and note whether it is east or west, plus the degrees. Your map's margin usually shows this value.
Find the declination scale on your compass. On fixed-scale models it is a small second scale inside the bezel, marked in degrees.
Hold the compass flat and turn the bezel until the orienting arrow lines up with the declination mark. For east declination, shift the arrow that many degrees clockwise.
For west declination, shift the orienting arrow the same number of degrees counterclockwise. The gap between the arrow and the index line now equals your declination.
Place the compass on the map with the edge along your intended line of travel, from your position to your target.
Turn the bezel until the orienting lines inside it run parallel with the map's north-south grid lines.
Read the bearing at the index line. This number already includes the declination correction.
To follow the bearing, hold the compass level and turn your body until the red magnetic needle sits inside the orienting arrow. Walk in that direction.
Tips and common mistakes
Check whether your map uses true north or grid north before you set the declination, since the correction differs slightly.
If you travel to a new region, reset the declination scale to the local value before taking bearings.
Practice the setting at home with a known bearing so you trust the method outdoors.
Keep the compass away from phones, magnets and metal objects, which can pull the needle off course.
Questions
What is magnetic declination?
It is the angle between magnetic north, where your compass needle points, and true north on the map. The value changes with location and slowly over time.
Can I use this method on any compass?
It works on baseplate compasses with a fixed declination scale, such as many Silva models. Compasses with a screw adjustment use a different method.
Do I add or subtract declination?
East declination is added to your map bearing, west is subtracted. Setting the scale on the compass does this correction for you.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
