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06-12-2012, 09:21 AM
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#1 | | Senior Member
Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 590
|  Owning and Using a Compass
I see a lot of people having compasses in their packs, kits and such but when I ask how they use them, they say, well that way is north... I doubt that 50% of the people have a clue how to properly use a compass.
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06-12-2012, 09:29 AM
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#2 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Idaho Posts: 3,127
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Of course less than 50 % know how to use it. But the list says to have one!!!
Guns; my right to own one is what protects your right to tell me I can't.
Don't judge me because I sin differently than you | |
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06-12-2012, 10:09 AM
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#3 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Kennesaw, GA Posts: 150
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I take one as a just in case. When on a well marked/worn trail dont really need to use one.
"Always bring a compass, it is awkard when you have to eat a friend." - unknown.
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06-12-2012, 02:38 PM
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#4 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 667
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Grandpa  Of course less than 50 % know how to use it. But the list says to have one!!! | A book on how to use a compass, in most cases, is more important than the compass itself. Without the knowledge it's like a knife with no blade.
"I'll forget the pain it took to finish, but I'll always remember it if I quit."
~Brian Foux | |
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06-12-2012, 04:21 PM
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#5 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Chavies, KY Posts: 128
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It is surprising the number of people who own a compass, or GPS, or even a Map, that have no idea how to use them.
It's like it would kill them to have to actually take the time to learn something. If it isn't something they can figure out in a matter of minutes, it's not worth knowing.
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06-12-2012, 06:41 PM
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#6 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Liberty, N.Y. Lower Catskill Mountains. Posts: 1,705
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Hi...
Kinda reminds me of those paracord bracelets some people are wearing now. I will frequently ask the wearers what they are for, or what they represent. So far, nobody I've asked has had any idea...!!
NOTE:
"Pathfinder", who is now posting on this forum, is NOT Pathfinder1, which is me...!! | |
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06-12-2012, 07:45 PM
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#7 | | Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Cleburne, Texas Posts: 1,160
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A compass is almost useless without a topographical (sp) map.
In most cases, just start walking downhill and you will find a road, creek, river and keep going downhill and you will find a lake or ocean with a nude beach.
When in doubt, just stay where you are and somebody will find you.
JMO,
Coz
"As He died to make men holy, let us live to make men free," - The Battle Hymn of the Republic.
"....I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country - Victory or Death." - William B. Travis, Feb. 1836, The Alamo. | |
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06-12-2012, 09:18 PM
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#8 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Idaho Posts: 3,127
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I had to chuckle on that Coz. A few years ago, we had dropped over a pass into a beautiful basin with a couple of awesome lakes. Got talking to a wrangler who was resting his horses after dropping his dudes oops clients in there. I asked him if you could follow the creek all the way to the river. His reply still makes me chuckle every time I hear someone say "just keep going down hill". His reply, "yes, you can make it out that way......if you have 200 ft of rope and know how to use it, and you can float on a log for another 200 miles". He then went on to say a couple of guys he knew tried going out that way to see if they could find a good route. They made it but it took them two weeks to do it.
Staying where you are is still the best philosophy.
Guns; my right to own one is what protects your right to tell me I can't.
Don't judge me because I sin differently than you | |
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06-12-2012, 09:59 PM
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#9 | | Backpacking Noob
Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Midlands of SC Posts: 337
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JROTC did one good thing, we spent a lot of time with maps. I can read topo maps, use a compass, and call in artillery. the declination thing still confuses me though. I could do it on an E6-B when I was taking flying lessons, but I'll be darned if I know it now.
I wish I knew someone who I could call to fire the artillery. That would be fun.
Read my blog with its now correct address:
theosus1.Wordpress.com
Do not lead, because I will not follow. Do not follow, because I will not lead. Just stay the Hell out of my way and leave me alone. | |
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06-13-2012, 06:20 AM
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#10 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 2,442
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CozInCowtown A compass is almost useless without a topographical (sp) map.
In most cases, just start walking downhill and you will find a road, creek, river and keep going downhill and you will find a lake or ocean with a nude beach.
When in doubt, just stay where you are and somebody will find you.
JMO,
Coz | Good one, Coz. However, I used a compass to map my ranch. It works in reverse also. Shoot me an azimuth!!
I've had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn't it. - Groucho Marx | |
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