How to Use a Suunto MCA Compass

A compass is a self-sufficient navigation device that uses the power of the magnetic North pole and requires no external power source and no maintenance, other than rinsing it off in fresh water from time to time. The compass has been a part of navigation for thousands of years, and has changed little in design. The Suunto compass has been on the market for almost a century, and the oldest models are still used to this day. The Suunto MCA compass is a magnetic field compass, perfect for land navigation, especially when trekking across large spans of wilderness, and best used in conjunction with a map.

Instructions

    • 1

      Open the compass. Place it on the map between your starting point and final destination. Ensure that the cover points to your final destination

    • 2

      Rotate the compass capsule clockwise until its North-South lines are parallel to the coordinate lines on your map. Ensure the the North indicator--N--on the compass points to the North indicator on your map.

    • 3

      Hold the compass in front of you at eye level, parallel to the ground. Turn your body while holding the compass until you see the red tip of the compass needle--the North end--point exactly at the North indicator--N--on the compass capsule. The compass should now be oriented to your final destination direction, in sequence with the map.

    • 4

      Choose a landmark in line of sight of your final destination corresponding to the map and compass. Move toward the landmark while eying your compass to ensure that you remain on course. Once you've reached the landmark, check your position, then pick another landmark and continue the process until your destination has been reached.