How to Get Compass Headings on a Map Computer

You have at your fingertips navigational tools that the great explorers could only have dreamed of. Consumer electronics such as GPS units and laptop computers make getting compass headings and coordinates a near-effortless task. In the past, calculations were made with slide rules, plotters and paper maps. Nowadays, technology such as sophisticated mapping software calibrated with Global Positioning Systems (GPS) allows compass heading calculations simply by clicking and dragging. Christopher Columbus would be envious.

Instructions

    • 1

      Open your mapping program or turn on the mapping device (handheld GPS, laptop or satellite-calibrated unit) and open your map of choice.

    • 2

      Move the cursor over the heading you want for your trip. Many mapping devices allow you to double-click one spot, making a waypoint, then move the cursor to the next destination of the journey and double-click again. This creates a line of travel and provides a compass heading for the trip.

    • 3

      Read the compass heading in the unit's default datum indicator. For example, datum types include NAD 27 (North American Datum of 1927), NAD 83 (North American Datum of 1983) or NAVD 88 -- a marine based datum used by the National Oceanographic Association of America.

    • 4

      Translate your datum to the appropriate compass heading, or use the mapping software to do the translation for you. Most mapping computers and devices have a command that translates the unit datum into standard latitude and longitude coordinates for your use with paper maps.