Can compass fill the holes in you navigation? Let's talk about the use of a magnetic needle.

Using the compass is not mandatory, but is recommended. There were times when top runners attempted a challenge of running without one and one day maybe I'll have a chat with one of them, but for now, this small item is still one of the best ways to find your way through the forest. In this video, I've prepared some tips for you regarding the use of a compass. Enjoy! :)
----------------------------------------------------------
** ORIENTEERING ACADEMY **
Starting from January, I'll be going forward with a course for advanced orienteering aimed at athletes of all ages that want to get better for the upcoming season and do their best at a selected competition. We will definitely do the analysis of EYOC, JWOC and WMOC, but you can choose something else as well.
Check out the details here:
geniusgecko.com/orienteering
** ORIENTEERING ACADEMY **
----------------------------------------------------------
"Into the Forest I go" is a channel devoted to orienteering knowledge and entertainment.
My name is Tom. I've been working as a National Junior Orienteering Team coach since 2015. I've been running through countless different forests, parks, and cities since 1994.
I've always been passionate about this wonderful sport and I'm extremely curious about all the tiny details that make orienteering so hard and so fun at the same time if you know what I mean :)
Please join me on the journey of creating a place where everyone can learn from the best. Learning is a neverending story, let's make it fun! :)
You can also check out our podcast:
open.spotify.com/show/7wcHuX9...
If you want to contact me:
[e-mail]
/ tomekpabich
/ into.the.forest_i.go
Enjoy!

[@intotheforestigo]

It's amazing to me how often this basic skill (using the compass) is not strong enough even among successful runners. Which one are you more? A compass person, or a feature-navigating runner? :)

[@Grip_ItandrRip_It]

I have my first event coming up in 4 days. I registered for the event 11 days before the event, and really didn't have much time to prepare. I also got a little overconfident and registered for the orange course. LOL. But your videos have been super helpful in reducing my anxiety level and helping me focus on the right priorities, Thanks so much!

[@intotheforestigo]

You're welcome, enjoy your race :)

[@brianjohnston2959]

I'm more of a feature-navigating runner than compass person, especially during urban sprint races. I do notice that I find it easier to navigate when the sun is out because I must subconsciously use the sun similar to a compass--to get oriented. I do always use a thumb compass and have it on the map, thumbing as I go, but I'm sometimes slow to realize that I'm not following the compass despite looking at the map and compass. You gave lots of good points, now my challenge is to remember and use them. I also liked the training ideas at the end, including the aim for a junction and the next level of challenge for aim for the junction with the map info removed/whited out. Like so many things in orienteering, the challenge is to practice and then use all the skills and techniques when needed.

[@intotheforestigo]

Training ideas are always inspiring, aren't they? :) For me as well :)

[@wagarowicz9655]

Good tips. What is missing for me is review of technical details build in orienteering compasses like: why some of them have rainbow bezels or others, if scale should be use during course, reaction timings of compass, does needle size matter, magnetic declination, etc.?

[@intotheforestigo]

I'm not an exert in this, couldn't say much more about these things. For me the only mandatory thing is for it to point to the north. The rest is practically irrelevant (in my way of orienteering). I could imagine that maybe someone could be using the measurements while running, but nothing more. What could be important is to maybe mention that there are different compasses for 2 different sides of the Earth, but then again this was not an equipment review, but rather a "how to use" guide ;)

[@kamil6033]

I'm also curious how many runners actually use rotating bezels and these color indications as opposed to simply keeping the compass tight with the map and looking where's north.

[@brianjohnston2959]

Re magnetic declination: In orienteering, orienteering maps are oriented to magnetic north, and the maps usually have magnetic north lines in blue, thus you don't need to use magnetic declination. Re does needle size matter and why some of them have rainbow bezels: not for the functionality of the compass. In orienteering there is a balance between seeing your compass and seeing your map. You don't want the compass to interfere with seeing the map, complicate things as in you don't want your compass to be overly busy or distracting. The rainbow colours are faster to read then numbers, i.e. keep the needle in the colour is easy than keep the needle at xxx degrees.

[@brianjohnston2959]

Re if scale should be use during course: yes but that would be a separate topic and video. Maybe Tomasz has plans for such a video.

[@Grip_ItandrRip_It]

I was wondering about the magnetic declination too.

[@rlands5134fd]

Good job 👍 and congrats on 1k subs.

[@intotheforestigo]

Appreciated :)

[@tiiker]

Thank you for interesting videos👍🏻

[@intotheforestigo]

You're welcome :)

[@mattiacorona6783]

Thanks for all the video you did and thanks for do video with top orienteerer. Nice videos

[@intotheforestigo]

I'm happy you like it :)

[@elisangeli833]

hi, i really appreciate your videos and your advices, i like the analyzes and all the exercises to improve the technique.. specifically to this video, the compass for navigation is not one of my best skills and i have a lot to work so thanks a lot

[@intotheforestigo]

You are not alone ;) From what I can see, this is one of the most commonly missing skills, despite its usefulness :)

[@andriuslukosevicius147]

Thanks I will definitely take some tips in to practice how to use it more efficient.

[@intotheforestigo]

Good luck :)

[@PradaOrienteering]

Very useful. Now it’s time to practice! Does someone remember this catchy phrase: “I just followed my compass”? 😮

[@intotheforestigo]

I don't :)

[@sergiohrs]

Great video! About the pool, if it's still available, I'd like to be included! Thanks!

[@intotheforestigo]

Unfortunately it's too late, but the Orienteering Academy will be back somewhere in September, I think :)

[@Michael-ui1tp]

How do you account for declination with a thumb compass? Can’t find the answer anywhere! Thank you!

[@intotheforestigo]

There is no need. Maps and compasses are already adjusted and they align with what the compass shows. You only need to worry about this when you go running on a different hemisphere. Then you need a different compass :)

[@Michael-ui1tp]

@@intotheforestigo thanks so much for the reply! Is this in regards to an otienteering maps only? What about maps that show a declination? Thanks!

[@intotheforestigo]

@@Michael-ui1tp I don't know. I rarely work with other maps nowadays, due to phone GPS ;)

[@fingalorienteers3546]

Went to share this on our club BookFace page & got "User opted out of platform: The action attempted is disallowed, because the user has opted out of the Facebook platform." 🤔

[@intotheforestigo]

KZbin has nothing to do with Facebook, so in theory this shouldn't matter. A quick google search shows that it's probably connected to your FB settings: www.technipages.com/what-does-opted-out-of-facebook-platform-mean#:~:text=Conclusion-,If%20Facebook%20says%20the%20user%20opted%20out%20of%20the%20platform,apps%20interact%20with%20your%20account.

[@fingalorienteers3546]

@@intotheforestigo thanks for the info. I managed to share it in a different way.

[@filippeo]

Should be "holes" instead of "wholes" in the title

[@intotheforestigo]

Indeed, thanks :)

[@MissMyrtill3]

Great information! 🧭I am still learning to use compass. I will use some of your advices.

[@intotheforestigo]

Go for it! :)