A compass isn’t going to be very useful if you don’t know how to use one properly. You can use a lensatic compass to shoot the azimuth and find your bearings. Learning how to use a compass is a basic skill, something everyone should know. A compass will guide you when reading a map and can help you get back on trail if you do get lost. I have a little compass that I have clipped on the straps outside of my backpack, and this more detailed compass I … While there are many different kinds of compasses on the market, the most common for backpackers is the baseplate compass, which consists of a liquid-filled compass face attached to a flat, clear piece of plastic. ... a GPS when using map & compass while hiking. Hiking Compass Reviews #1 Suunto MC-2G Global Compass Review. See also: Hiking Compass… Direction-of-travel arrow: Tells you which direction to point the compass when you’re taking or following a bearing. Baseplate: Clear, so you can see the map below it, it has at least one straight edge for taking bearings and transferring them to your map.. To navigate successfully you will need to use your compass alongside a map – so first … In the event that you get lost while hiking or exploring an area, knowing how to navigate is a valuable skill. In this era of technological gadgets, when everyone has a GPS or a smartphone with navigation apps on it, you might think that an old-school, basic compass is no longer needed. The Concept. By combining the compass with a local map, it shouldn’t be difficult to navigate the local area even for those with minimal navigation skills. Hopefully, you’ll always travel with a compass now (most smartphones do have a digital one built in) as knowing how to use a compass is an extremely useful travel and … How To Estimate Distance Without a GPS When Hiking With Map & Compass. Plus, the compass gives the option to triangulate to help establish the location. If you are unsure of the destination course, you can check the readings using the compass while you chart the course. Once you do so, you can set the course for your destination. While a hiking compass might be one of the oldest and most essential tools used by explorers and navigators, it remains one of the most important items to bring camping. This was something I learned when volunteering at the halifax search & rescue as part of the woodslore training that volunteers had to do. Ruler(s): Used with your map’s scale to determine distances. While there’s a variety of compasses on the market, the Suunto M-3 D Leader Compass is our top pick. They’re known for high quality products made in Finland and reliable navigation equipment from digital wrist computers to highly accurate orienteering compasses. Suunto is one of the best names in compass making. For guidance on how to properly use compass and map navigation, check out our tutorial on navigation. Learning how to use a compass is a skill that everyone who enjoys the outdoors will find useful and can be essential if you walk in isolated areas or in more challenging conditions. A hiking compass is easy-to-use and shows several measurements, bearings, and directions (N, S, E, W). Following the course will get you to your destination safely.