Compass Recommendations ?

[bluerail]

thats funny Cameron, thanks I needed the laugh.


http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/ ... 9271.story

[93ludegirl]

that compass thing looks cool...whats it do ?

It points you toward success, the easiest way of achieving goals, etc.. so I'm guessing you don't have one...

[phydeux]

I had a declination-adjustable compass, but the thing kept shifting when it got bounced around in my pack or when around my neck on a lanyard. I stopped using it and went back to putting a strip of colored electrical tape on the bottom of the dial of a regular compass. The angle doesn't change enough to make a difference unless you're traveling long distances.

As for a references for declination angles - the USGS topo maps have them printed in the margins for both degree and grid systems. Tom Harrison maps don't have them (the two I have).

[bluerail]

ouch...i think that hurt.

[Hikin_Jim]

about 13.5 degrees in Southern California

12.5 degrees. Sorry.

Neat online calculator, just enter your location or even zip code.

Yeah, that's where I go to get my numbers. The scales on topo maps can be decades old -- although they usually do include information as to how fast it's changing.

HJ

[Hikin_Jim]

I saw this chart of declinations (below) on the NOAA site. Interesting how much it varies within California. Down here, it's about 12.5 degrees east. In the southern sierra, it's about 13.5 degrees east. Around Tahoe, it's around 14.5 degrees east. Two degrees isn't much, but if you're trying to find the exact right place to drop off a ridge...

HJ