Navigation Articles A Primer for Using a Compass Navigation Navigation at a great deal! Navigation on eBay Motors. Nautical navigation truly relies on the skill of the travelers to accurately detect locations though directions. Out in the ocean, you will find nothing but the vast array of the sea, the horizons and the sky. There isn't significant landmarks except for the celestial bodies like the sun, the moon and the stars, which all change directions throughout the day. Thus, the compass will be one of the most useful tools in nautical navigation. Experts will assert that sea travels won't be successful and complete without the use of the base compass. When you were kids, you probably might have collected miniature versions of simple compasses that introduced you to the concept of real geographic directions. Maps won't be useful without the aid of the base compass. Surely, maps already contain geographic sketches, locations and directions. But take note that all this information won't be complete if you aren't able to accurately determine exact directions as related to where you are. This will call for the use of any type of base compass. By finding the true directions, you will be able to digest and interpret information contained in any types of maps. Types of base compasses Here are some of the most common and useful types of base compasses. The baseplate compass - this is a simple base compass for typical outdoor activities. It isn't recommended for nautical navigation due to its simplicity, but it could be perfect in camping activities where you will rely on maps to find directions and geographic locations. The needle compass - this type of base compass makes use of a simple and magnetized needle that is suspended over a fixed card for easy direction indications. The needle is magnetized and will point to a direction where there is magnetic declination. Usually, this magnetic direction is the north, but in some areas with disrupting magnetic sources, magnetic needle readings might change and be confusing. Convert Your Navigation Screen to TV/DVD Tvandnav2Go.com can convert your existing factory car navigation screen to a TV/DVD/satellite screen. You paid so much for your navigation unit, why not get the full value out of it? Card compass - is the usual base compass used in nautical navigation. It is as simple as other base compass, but its readings are far more detailed, accurate and reliable. In this type of base compass, the magnetic needle is fixed in one direction. The card that surrounds the needle is the one moving according to changes in directions. This type of compass is widely used in marine travel and is usually called the marine or the steering compass. Navigation Travelling on London's Tube System? Plan all your UK travel info here with Britains official tourism authority. The thumb compass - a simple base compass that is so small it can fit in your thumb. This compass is designed so you could hold the compass and the map at the same time using one hand. The gyrocompass - this type of base compass is an electric one that is highly reliable and always accurate because it isn't affected by magnetic fields. Even if the Earth's magnetic field changes due to geographic aspects, this compass can still indicate true and accurate directions. Navigation: Compare Price Research and Purchase the latest navigation. Shop Smarter, Compare Prices, and Save Money. Magnetic declination and bearings in the field Because the planet is basically made of thermal gradients, which are magnetic in nature, magnetism differs in different locations on earth. Magnetic declination is the angle in between a magnetic field and the true north. Buy Affordable GPS Navigation Systems Satellite radios and portable GPS navigation systems. $50 rebate. To get your bearings in the field using a compass, just determine the magnetic declination in your location. Accurately pinpoint your geographic location and there you are, you can determine your true location. Research Business Topics Business information on navigation. Tips on using a compass There are several guidelines that can help you use the compass more effectively. However, these tips can be simplified so you will be able to easily absorb, comprehend and remember them. Navigation - 100% Gear Guarantee Buy Top Quality navigation at Backcountry.com. Free Shipping. When using a compass, make sure you know what type of compass it is so you could read it well and correctly. Know if your compass' needle or the card beneath the needle is moving in relation to directions. Use a compass simultaneously with a map. To be able to make the most use out of both navigational tools, use them together because they are meant to be used as a pair. Navigation at Amazon.com Shop at Amazon.com for low prices on navigation. Free Super Saver Shipping on qualified orders over $25. Chart your position well using the map and the compass. Take note of the directions and the bearing of the slopes where you are located. It would be hard to determine this at first, but as they say, practice makes perfect. There you go. Use the compass knowledgeably. Ainuddin Mohamad is the Webmaster of the Online Reading Center at http://onlinereadingcenter.com which features online reading resources.