THIS is how to take map bearings accurately, by The Map Reading Company on YouTube. 2 min 30 s.
- Video length
- 2 min 30 s
- Time to do it
- 10 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Lay the map flat on a stable surface. Place your start point and destination clearly in view, and mark them with a pencil if you like.
Place the long edge of the compass baseplate so it runs from your start point to your destination. The direction of travel arrow should point toward the destination.
Check the baseplate edge passes through both points exactly. A small offset here throws the bearing off over long distances.
Turn the rotating bezel until the orienting lines inside the housing run parallel to the map's north-south grid lines.
Make sure the orienting arrow on the bezel points to grid north at the top of the map, not to the bottom.
Read the number on the bezel at the index line, the line at the front of the housing by the direction of travel arrow. That number is your grid bearing.
If your compass has a declination adjustment, set it to your local magnetic declination so the bearing converts automatically. If not, add or subtract the declination yourself using the map margin figure.
Hold the compass level in front of you with the direction of travel arrow pointing away. Turn your body until the red magnetic needle sits inside the orienting arrow.
Walk along the direction of travel arrow, keeping the needle aligned. Pick a landmark ahead and walk to it, then repeat the check.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep metal objects, phones and magnets away from the compass, as they pull the needle off course.
Use grid lines rather than the map edge, since the edge is rarely aligned to north.
Recheck the needle alignment every few minutes, especially on rough ground or in poor visibility.
Know whether your declination is east or west before adding or subtracting it, or you will head the wrong way.
Questions
What is the difference between the orienting arrow and the orienting lines?
The orienting lines are the parallel lines in the bezel that you match to the map grid lines. The orienting arrow is the marked arrow inside the bezel that the red needle must sit inside when you walk.
Do I need to adjust for declination?
Yes, if the map's grid north differs from magnetic north in your area. Set the declination on the compass if it has that feature, or add or subtract the value from the map margin yourself.
Can I take a bearing without a baseplate compass?
It is much harder. A baseplate compass with a rotating bezel and orienting lines is the standard tool for this method.
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.
