BRUNTON
COMPASS
GUIDE
A Practical
Field Guide
for Map &
Compass
Use
Congratulations on purchasing a Brunton map compass, an easy to use,
reliable navigation tool. Brunton recommends you read and understand the
basic navigational skills outlined in this instruction pamphlet before going afield.
Remember, prepare before you go. Tell others where you are going. Carry a
map and compass, a complete survival kit and know how to use them.
CAUTION:
Your compass will only locate Magnetic North and bearings
(directions) from your present location. You have to remember the direction
you have been traveling, the direction back to your starting point and keep
track of your present position on the map.
IF YOU BECOME LOST, Admit it,
and try to remember where the map and the terrain matched. Backtrack
to that position with your compass. IF YOU STILL ARE LOST,
Stay Put
and do not wander or panic.
Shelter
yourself from the elements.
Wait
for help
and be prepared to signal your position to rescuers.
Travel Arrow
Flèche directionnelle
Vial
Fiole
Azimuth Ring
Cadran Azimutal
Map Scales
Échelles de la carte
Magnetized Needle
Aiguille aimantée
Magnetized Needle:
Red/White painted cobalt steel needle. Permanently magnetized and suspended on a
bearing mount.
Azimuth Ring:
White Rotating dial marked ( 2 degree increments) from 0-360° degrees. North “N” = 0°, South
“S” = 180°, East “E” = 90° and West “W” = 270° clearly indicated.
Orienting Arrow:
Red/Black outlined arrow imprinted on clear vial bottom. Outlined orienting arrow is
adjustable eastward or westward for declination correction by rotating the clear vial independently from the white
azimuth ring.
Declination scale:
Printed inside azimuth ring, 0-60 degrees marked every two degrees, East and West
declination.
Vial:
Clear liquid filled plastic vial that surrounds magnetized needle. The liquid inside is used to slow and
stabilize the movement of the magnetized needle.
Map Scales:
Black imprinted scales on base plate used to determine distance on maps. Refer to maps margins
for scale information. (i.e. USGS 7.5 min., 1:24,000 scale)
Travel Arrow:
Black arrow on base plate used to point or sight the compass towards your destination or
direction.
Sighting Systems:
Directional, and Mirrored.
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
Directional Sighting: Object or direction is
sighted using the “Travel Arrow.”
Visée directionnelle : L’objet ou la direction est
relevé à l’aide du pointeur.
Models 9020, 8010 & 8020 (Figure 2A)
Mirrored Sighting: Object or direction is sighted
through “gun” sights while needle alignment and
azimuth ring are read in reflection of mirror.
Visée à miroir : L’objet ou la direction est relevé au-dessus
du miroir par le biais de la mire (rainure en “V”) au moment
où l’alignement de l’aiguille et du cadran azimutal est
prélevés en réflexion du miroir.
Model 8040. (Figure 2B)
6. Adjusting Compass for Declination
Identify the declination variance from your map. Grasp inside vial (orienting arrow) separately from white
azimuth ring. Rotate vial until the orienting arrow is pointing to the desired degree of declination on the
declination scale, East or West. (Figure 6) After you have adjusted your compass for declination, the
magnetized needle still points towards magnetic north. The white azimuth ring and bearings sighted with the
compass now represent True North bearings.
Declination East
Déclinaison Est
Declination West
Déclinaison Ouest
Figure 6
Figure 7C
Figure 8C
Figure 8A
Figure 9A
Figure 15B
Figure 3A
Figure 10A
Figure 9B
Figure 11
Figure 13
Figure 12A
Vertical Height Formula
Figure 12B
Figure 3D
Figure 7B
Figure 8B
By aligning your map to north, the terrain around you
can easily be identified. Features from your map are
located in the field; North - Ahead, East - Right, West -
Left and South - Behind. Place a couple of rocks on
the map corners to keep the map from moving and
oriented to north. Aligning the map to north also allows
use of the magnetized needle to sight bearings FROM
and TO your map. (Figure 8C)
9. Establish a Map Bearing with “North” oriented map.
a.)
Orient map to North.
b.)
Line up edge of compass connecting present location with
destination. Make sure Travel Arrow is pointing towards destination.
(Figure 9A)
c.)
Hold compass base and rotate Azimuth Ring until magnetized
needle is centered within outlined orienting arrow. (Figure 9B)
d.)
Read bearing where Travel Arrow and Azimuth Ring intersect.
10. Field Bearing to Map with “North” oriented map.
a.)
Orient map to North.
b.)
Identify a landmark on map which can be sighted from
your position.
c.)
Establish field bearing by sighting compass to
landmark identified from map. (Figure 10A)
d.)
Place edge of compass on maps’ landmark. The
Travel Arrow should point towards landmark on map.
(Figure 10B)
While keeping compass edge on landmark, pivot
compass until
magnetized needle is centered within orienting arrow. Plot bearing on
map by drawing line from landmark using the edge of the compass.
(Figure 10C)
1. How A Compass Works
Your compass is a navigational instrument that provides directions or bearings, using the Magnetic North Pole
as a reference. Following your BEARING and measuring the distance traveled (counting stride, time or plotting
locations on a map) is all that is required for successful navigation.
2. Getting to know your Compass
(Figure 1)
Declination Scale
Échelle de déclinaison
Orienting Arrow
Pointeur
17. Caring for your Compass.
A - Warning:
Avoid metal or magnetized objects, such as, pocket knives, gun barrels, belt buckles, electric
motors and vehicles. The magnetized needle will be attracted to such objects giving incorrect Magnetic
North compass bearings.
B - How do I care for my compass?
If your compass becomes dirty, carefully wipe it off using a soft, damp
cloth. If necessary, a mild liquid soap may be used to aid in cleaning.
• Avoid abrasive cleaners which can permanently scratch your compass, or petroleum based solvents which
can actually “melt” most plastics.
• Avoid exposing your compass to extreme heat (120 degrees plus)
• Avoid exposing your compass to high strength magnetic fields, electromagnets (electric motors) as they
can disorient or permanently de-magnetize the needle.
• Avoid mosquito repellent on your hands. DEET
®
will remove the information on the bottom of the base
plate potentially causing it to cloud up and possibly crack.
18. Southern Hemisphere Use
If you are traveling to the southern hemisphere your compass should be balanced for the earth’s southern
magnetic inclination. Contact the Brunton Co. for compass balancing information.
Travel Arrow
Flèche directionnelle
Read Bearing Here
Lisez le relèvement à
ce moment
Figure 3B
Read Bearing Here
Lisez le relèvement à
ce moment
3. Sighting & Following a Compass Bearing
Hold your compass level in front of you, with the Base
Plate Travel Arrow pointing towards the direction you
wish to go. Do not point the compass with your hand.
Turn your whole body. When your compass is held flat,
the Magnetized Needle will rotate freely and its RED
end will point towards Magnetic North. (Figure 3A)
Holding the compass level,
rotate
the
Graduated Dial until the Orienting Arrow and
Red “N” are aligned with the RED end of the
Magnetic Needle. (Figure 3B)
Your
Bearing
or Direction of Travel can now
be read in Degrees at the Index Line on the dial at the base of the Travel
Arrow, which now points precisely to your destination. (Figure 3C)
Look up,
sight a landmark
(rock, tree, etc.) along the bearing path, using
the Travel Arrow as a guide. Take care not to mis-align the Magnetic
Needle. Keep it centered inside the Orienting Arrow. Now
walk towards
the landmark.
Repeat this procedure until you reach your destination.
(Figure 3D)
When you
repeat
this process, identify landmarks along your bearing path
(the further away the better) and walk to them. You can navigate around
difficult terrain such as streams and cliffs, while still maintaining your
original bearing.
If you are using a Brunton compass that has a Sighting Mirror, adjust the
mirror so that it reflects the entire compass dial as you look across the
Base Plate. Object or direction is sighted through “gun” sights while
needle alignment and azimuth ring are read in reflection of mirror. Turn the
Graduated Dial until the Orienting Arrow is aligned with the Magnetic
Needle. Your Bearing will be read at the Index line (“gun” sight) next to the
mirror hinge. Follow your Bearing as indicated above.
4. Using a Topographical Map
Topographical maps present a 3 dimensional picture of the land viewed
from above. Features are designated by color and symbol: Cultural
features or
man-made (Black), water (Blue), vegetation (Green), and
elevation (Brown). Elevation is indicated by contour lines, on which every
point along the ground is at the same height above sea level. The closer
the contour lines, the steeper the slope. Every fifth line is darker and has a
number representing the height above sea level. Contour lines also show
the shape and form of the land. Maps are made to a scale, which
represents a proportion to the distance between points on the map and the
actual distance between the same points on
the ground. Large scale maps, such as a
1:24,000 U.S.G.S., on which features appear
big, show the most information for hiking and
camping. The legend at the base of the map
indicates the scale, contour interval and
special symbols shown. (Figure 4)
5. Understanding Declination
Declination (or variation) is the difference
between True North (to which maps are drawn) and
Magnetic North (as indicated by a compass). You
Must
adjust for declination, East or West, when using
a compass with a map. Declination varies throughout
the world and is shown on topographical maps with a
diagram, identifying Magnetic North (MN) and the
degree variance from True North (TN). Magnetic fields
fluctuate slowly at varying rates around the world. It is best to use an up to
date map for current declination. Visit our web sight or call Brunton for an
accurate declination variance in a specific location. (Figure 5)
True North
Nord géographique
13°
230 mils
Magnetic North
Nord magnétique
Topographical Map Manufacturer
U.S.G.S. Maps: (800) 872-6277
Trails Illustrated: (800) 962-1643
DeLorme Mapping (207) 865 4171
Figure 1
Figure 3C
Figure 5
Figure 7A
7. Quick Map Bearing: Brunton “ABC” System
A - Align Compass.
Set declination and line up edge of compass connecting
present location with destination. Make sure Travel Arrow is pointing towards
destination. (Figure 7A)
B - Bearing is found
by rotating the white azimuth ring until
North “N” and “red” grid lines on top of the azimuth ring
align with North and red grid lines on map. Bearing is
read where Travel Arrow intersects azimuth ring.
(Figure 7B)
C - Course
is determined by rotating body (not
compass) centering magnetized needle to
outlined orienting arrow and sighting a land
mark. (Figure 7C)
8. Map Bearings with “North” oriented map.
-
Orienting Map to North
a.)
Adjust compass for declination.
b.)
Rotate Azimuth Ring so that North (0°) degrees intersects
with Travel Arrow.
c.)
Place edge of compass on maps margin with Travel Arrow
pointing towards North end of the map. (Figure 8A)
d.)
Without moving compass, rotate map until Magnetic Needle
is centered within outlined Orienting Arrow.
(Figure 8B)
Figure 10C
Figure 10B
Figure 15
16. Tangent Table
Height On Level Ground
- Figure 15 (Left)
Height =
(tanA + tanB) x distance
=
(tan30° + tan14°) x 66’
=
(.577 + .249) x 66’
Height =
(.826) x 66’ = 54.516 = 54.5’
Hauteur au niveau du sol
– Figure 15 à gauche
Hauteur = (tangente A + tangente B) x distance
= (tangente 30° + tangente 14°) x 66 pi
= (,577 + ,249) x 66 pi
Hauteur = (,826) x 66 pi = 54,516 = 54,5 pi
Height On Sloping Ground
- Figure 15
(Right)
Height =
(tanA - tanB) x distance
=
(tan42° - tan4°) x 66’
=
(.900 + .070) x 66’
Height =
(.830) x 66’ = 54.780 = 54.8’
Hauteur en sol incliné
– Figure 15 à droite
Hauteur = (tangente A - tangente B) x distance
= (tangente 42° - tangente 4°) x 66 pi
= (,900 + ,070) x 66 pi
Hauteur = (,830) x 66 pi = 54,780 = 54,8 pi
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11. Triangulation
is used to locate your present position with the Field Bearing
to Map method. By plotting (drawing) bearings from three identifiable
landmarks in the field to your map, a triangle will be formed. Your present
location is found inside the plotted triangle. (Figure 11)
12. Inclination Using Yellow Clinometer Needle (Model 8040, Only)
a.)
Open cover completely and rotate the graduated dial until “W’ (270°) is at the
Index Line (located at mirrored end of compass). (Figure 12A)
b.)
Hold compass at eye level, on its side with mirror to the right. The ‘yellow’
clinometer needle shoud move freely.
c.)
Slope mirrored end upward, with the terrain. Read inclination where the
‘yellow’ needle points at the azimuth ring (20°). (Figure 12B)
13. Inclination Using Base Plate (Models 8040 & 9020)
a.)
Hold compass at eye level and arms length.
b.)
Position compass so the straight edge of the base is parallel to the ground.
(Figure 13)
c.)
With sloping ground through
the “+” and the inclinometer scale,
read inclination at the scale (35°).
(Figure 13)
14. Vertical Height Measurement
(Model 8040, Only)
a.)
Rotate graduated dial until W (270°) is
at the index line (located
at mirrored end of
compass).
b.)
With compass on its
side and mirror out to the
right, open mirror until
you can see the
reflection of the
graduated dial (approx.
45°).
c.)
Sight to top of object.
(Figure 14)
d.)
In reflection, read
inclination where the
‘yellow’needle points at the
graduated dial.
e.)
Use level or sloping ground
illustation, and the tangent
table to calculate vertical
height. (Figure 15)
15. Degree to % Grade
a.)
Sight inclination angle, find the tangent of the angle and move decimal two
places to the right.
Example: Angle=20°: Tan(20°) = .364 =
36.4% grade
Figure 13
Figure 14
Figure 4
