How to Use a Lesnatic Compass

The proliferation of global positioning system equipment has gone a long way toward replacing the simple compass for many people participating in land navigation activities. However, using a lesnatic compass is still a worthwhile and useful skill to learn. Basic knowledge of orienteering with a compass with or without a map can make outdoor activities like hiking and camping more enjoyable. You should also consider the safety advantages you will gain when you master your lesnatic compass.

Things You'll Need

  • Lesnatic compass
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Instructions

  1. Finding Your Way With a Lesnatic Compass

    • 1

      Understand that the heart of your lesnatic compass is the floating needle contained in the housing. The housing, also known as the turntable, sits on a flat base. One end of the floating needle is red and this end always points in the direction of the magnetic north pole. A direction-of-travel arrow runs the length of the base to indicate your desired direction. A series of parallel orientating lines run inside the compass disc and work in conjunction with the needle.

    • 2

      Take an azimuth or bearing by rotating the turntable until the direction you want to go lines up with the the direction of travel arrow on the base of your compass. East, west, south and north are marked in clockwise fashion around the compass disc. If you want to travel south the direction of travel arrow has to line up with the marked S on the compass disc.

    • 3

      Hold the compass flat in the palm of your hand so the compass needle can rotate freely. Then turn your body, hand and compass until the compass needle is lined up with the orientating lines inside the disc. Check to make sure the red end of the needle is still pointing north. If the needle is pointing north then the direction of travel arrow will be pointing south.

    • 4

      Make sure you continue to walk in the right direction. Fix on a distant landmark such as a hill or tall tree that lies along your direction of travel and go to it. Repeat this process until you have reached your destination. You should reassess your position about every 100 yards by verifying that the red needle continues to point north and your direction of travel arrow is lined up with the S.

    • 5

      Be aware of the objects you are carrying and physical features around you. Iron objects near your compass as well as mineral deposits in the ground can affect your compass readings and cause you to go off in the wrong direction.