What Are Tools Used to Read Maps?

Spending time in the great outdoors provides the opportunity for many adventures. Skills required to do this safely when off the beaten track include map reading. This enables an individual to pinpoint their location, as well as plot a course to their intended destination. To do this accurately, map reading tools will help, and the options available range from simple magnifying tools to compasses.

  1. Magnifying Tool

    • Many maps show detailed information of the area they cover, and reading this with the naked eye may sometimes prove difficult. A small magnifying tool can therefore help in picking out smaller and closely spaced details when reading a map. These come in a wide variety of styles, including standard round and rectangular magnifiers, as well as circular and bar domed magnifiers. In many cases, a map magnifying tool will come equipped with a light to enhance its capabilities.

    Dividers

    • Many maps have scales on them, which enable a pair of dividers to measure the distance between two points. Dividers comprise a pair of metal arms, hinged at one end to allow them to open and close. To measure smaller distances, the pointed ends of the dividers are placed on the two points, and the distance between them marked on the scale to calculate the actual distance. For larger distances, setting the dividers at a known distance enables them to be walked across the map between the two points to calculate the distance.

    Scale Ruler

    • Scale rulers can serve a few different map reading purposes, and typically come in flat or triangular shapes. Some have a design for use with one map scale, while others are marked with a number of scale factors to enable their use with maps of different scales. Scale rulers can measure distances between features on a map, with some models also capable of measuring the coordinates of a specific location.

    Parallel Ruler

    • Parallel rulers comprise two separate straight edges hinged together, such that when moved across a map the rulers will maintain the same angle. This can help in measuring the bearing between two known points on a map, by placing the ruler on the line between them and then moving it to the compass rose. Alternatively, setting the ruler on an accurate bearing on a compass rose enables it to be moved to a known point on the map to plot a bearing from it.

    Navigation Plotter

    • Navigation plotters typically involve a combination of scale ruler and protractor. They typically comprise a small, transparent plastic tool, with different map scales and a protractor clearly marked on them. Placing the tool over a map enables its use in plotting the coordinates of a point, as well as calculating a bearing and course between two points. Some plotters come mounted on rollers making them easier to move across a map.

    Map Reading Compass

    • A compass is a common tool for navigation, and many have a design enabling their use with a map. This style of compass has a few different parts including a base plate, straight edge and ruler, compass housing with magnetic needle, direction of travel arrow, and north label. This enables it to accurately calculate a bearing between two points for plotting a course, as well as help in locating your position on a map to reduce the chances of getting lost.