I use both and only prefer the baseplate mirror compass because of the ease of use doing mapwork. However, I get the same accuracy with both. If you go around obstacles like a pond, you could also leave a (degradable) mark on your bearing, like toilet paper on a twig, go around the obstacle and take the backbearing to the mark. That way your navigation will be much more accurate than just doing an approximation. And you can show off your awesome navigation skills to any companions. 😁

I’m not sure which compass you’re talking about but if it is the Lensatic compass it is the sighting line for shooting an azimuth.

Pulsar is a good brand. They are both thermal imagers and they in essence do the same thing. They pick up heat signatures. Models for each of the brands (Pulsar or Flir), may have different features and functions. The more expensive models have more sensitive microbolometers that can detect heat signatures emitted from people, animals and other objects at longer distances.

Yes you are correct. The process I described on getting your bearing is correct and the but the mag declination was not set as I stated. For Oregon, you are correct it is a 14 degree easterly declination and the compass was not set. Not sure why I did that. I was playing with the compass before the video on other maps and I mis-spoke. Again, the process for getting the bearing in the video is correct over than the magnetic declination not being properly set. People rely on exact instructions when being taught and I should have caught that. Thanks for letting me know. I should do an updated video.

It’s accurate but not as accurate as a Lensatic Compass. The Suunto compass is popular because of its various built in features such as setting a magnetic declination and clinometer.

I hear you, I would need glasses to get that set. You should be good on not adjusting it.

Magnetic declination is the difference between Magnetic North and True North. Your compass always point to the Magnetic North which changes year to year. So you have a true north (a physical location North Pole) and a Magnetic North (an imaginary non physical North). The Magnetic North changes each year because of the earths composition which is made up of different rocks causing a magnetic disruption. Your compass needle is magnetized and it point to magnetic north not True North. So when you are navigating using a compass and a map you need to adjust for magnetic declination, (the difference between True North and Magnetic North). When you use a topo map the North on that map is oriented to True North. So when you get a bearing using a topo map you have to convert it using the magnetic declination before using it on your compass to navigate. So if you have 15 degree bearing on a top map you cannot use the same 15 degree bearing on your commas because the compass is pointing to Magnetic North and not the topo maps True North. So you add or subtract the magnetic declination from the 15 degree bearing, (depending on the magnetic declination in the area you are navigating). To find out what your magnetic declination is you can look at the legend of your topo map and it will tell you what it is. The problem with using that magnetic declination on the topo map is that it is old and probable changed. You can go online and find the updated magnetic declination for your area by using the NOAA website. As for weather you add or subtract is another long explanation, but for now I want you to understand what magnetic declination is. I hope this helps you to better understand what magnetic declination is.

kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3XKfouMipyjjrs

If I understand your question correctly, you’re asking on navigating from a map and utilizing the terrain around you to navigate. So if you’re not going from a map to a compass heading then you do not need to make any adjustments.

@@TheAmericanBackpacker so let's say you just used your Suunto MC-2 on the map rotated the bezel and got your bearing. Can you use that bearing now to start walking to that point?

I've found, over the years using both, that the weight is worth it if you're actually COUNTING on using a compass for land nav. If you're just using GPS and the compass is a backup, just get a small mirrored baseplate compass and wear it between your layers. I've only had bubbles from flying with it or letting it get too cold... both situations I was able to simply leave the compass in a warm window or dash of my car for a while and the bubble will disappear.

And what's wrong with a bubble? Besides, bubbles not being pink.

It is in your settings menu. Make sure that you have the right time zone set for your location as well.

3H denotes the compass illumination is tritium. They make non tritium models too and they are marked differently

Who needs tritium with phosphors holding for hours. Where older tritium are burned out. Silva 54 baseplate is tritium, should be the world, has prismatic build in so it's a better lensatic too.

I have not had this issue with my unit. There may be a software update, if I recall any update would have to be done by Flir at there factory. Send them an email about your issue and they may be able to help you out.

@TheAmericanBackpacker thank you very much for the response. I searched Flir's site for some kind of update for the unit but there was nothing there was nothing there for the Scout TK. I will contact them.

Go with the MC2G USGS UTM. This particular compass has metric and imperial. This is the compass I use. On it you will see kilometers and miles. below is a link to Bass Pro with the compass I have. The link below is for your review. Please look around online for a price which may be lower. Thanks for watching my videos. www.basspro.com/shop/en/suunto-mc-2-g-usgs-mirror-compass?hvarAID=shopping_googleproductextensions&ds_e=GOOGLE&ds_c=BPS%7CShopping%7CPMax%7CCamping%7CGeneral%7CNAud%7CNVol%7CNMT&gclid=Cj0KCQjw06-oBhC6ARIsAGuzdw1BR35ljUTaLzJen18kKU7F8V9S7s6AOULUzJwsJvlX04PXtqeSarwaAn8eEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Thank you very much @TheAmericanBackpacker !!

@@TheAmericanBackpacker Thank you very much!

Depending on how old your compass is the current seller of Cammenga compasses may be able to revitalize the tritium on your compass. I am not sure what that age requirement is. I believe it runs about 50 dollars which is about half the cost of a new one. Call them and find out if they can do it. The end cost to include shipping may make you want to purchase a new one.

Thanks

Outside of the military I have not been affiliated with an orienteering group, but I am sure it is a lot of fun. Organization such as yours are a great way to learn the ways of old school land nav, (compass and map). Many backpackers and hikers today rely to much on GPS technology. That is one of the reasons I put these videos out. Thanks for commenting, and I am glad to hear of organization such as yours that teach and practice land nav skills. 👍🇺🇸

I do the same. The Camenga is bombproof, so I always take it, and once you understand how to convert between magnetic north and grid north it becomes second nature. I also bring the Sunto, but I just can’t trust my life to something made of plastic. It’s a great compass, and it’s convenient to not have to worry about declination, but like you said, it is a double edge sword. I recommend that anyone serious about navigation should learn to use both

You must be my doppelganger. I would have written the same comment.

I posted a run down on using the Commenga without a protractor on Oshawa Bushcraft (Canada). Also Nova Scotia Canada.

We (our navigator) made that error 50 years ago one whole morning. So it exists. On the other hand the persistence of the Cammenga is a display of human resilience. There is an older video where a soldier puts down rifle and helmet to use his Cammenga.

Thank you for watching and commenting 👍🇺🇸

I posted a video here on my channel called, Topo Maps (Where to find them online). Check it out on how to download them and print. 👍

You can, it will probably not be as effective when it is dried out.

Elevation does play a role when it comes to temperatures. Colder air is heavier than warm air and you will find that it is cooler in low lying areas such as a valley. Other factors will contribute as well such a shade, direct sunlight, and other natural structures around you. You have to balance out the risks when you decide to place your basecamp in a specific location to minimize the risks of flooding or other potential storm issues such as lightning.

@@TheAmericanBackpacker ok, thanks Andy…

There is some debate on being in a hammock during a lightning storm. Some say that if you’re elevated off the ground you are protected from any ground surge minus a direct hit. The other argument is that the ropes or tethers that attach your hammock to the trees will conduct the strike towards your hammock. Especially, if you have metal items attached to them such as carabiners. Here is my suggestion. First, make sure you do not have any conductive material in your hammock. Second do not tie your hammock to trees that are the highest in the area that you plan on setting up your basecamp. I recently took a trip into the Sawtooth Mountains in Idaho last month. I was near a lake at about 8000 feet when a severe storm moved in. The storm had lightning, wind, and hail. I felt safe on where my hammock was setup. I had it attached to trees lower than the others around me. I stayed in my hammock and enjoyed the storm. You can check out my Mountain Storm video I recently posted on my Facebook page, The American Backpacker, to see how severe this storm was. I hope that I answered your question if you need further, let me know.

Certain compasses can be adjusted. A compass like the Suunto MC2G compass has an adjustable screw on its back. This screw is used to make adjustments to the magnetic declination. Those compasses that are not adjustable, such as the Cammenga Lensatic compass you will need to add or subtract your magnetic declination. I have used both but my preference is the adjustable Suunto compass.