Magnetic Declination

[@huyked]

The illustration really helps me to remember the add and subtract bit. Thanks!

[@FloridaAdventuring]

You're welcome. I wanted to make it simple, yet complete. I'm really glad you like it. It's encouraging.

[@aarondavis176]

Finally explained in a straightforward "visual" way I can understand. Thank you.

[@stevegoodrum2168]

In the UK we are slowly going from west to east magnetic variation !! This makes for interesting conversations between map readers. Your explanation and diagrams were some of the best I've found on you tube.

[@SeamusOLepreachaun]

Finally a no nonsense plain English video on this subject, thanks buddy! You have been most helpful.

[@FloridaAdventuring]

Paddy MacCarthy You bet.

[@hnkabraham]

Nicely explained, I could never remember practical application of thumb rule like "variation east magnetic least" . Your logical expiation did the trick, thanks again. :-)

[@FloridaAdventuring]

I'm pleased it helps you. That was my purpose. Best regards.

[@curtite]

Thank you. This explains why my compass readings needed the declination "subtracted" from the true north to compare with street map. I was getting the variation mirrored to the wrong side using the compass azimuth. In Connecticut we use 14 degrees west declination on the map. Another satisfied customer!!!

[@salmanhyder6675]

this was really helpful sir, thanks alot for this wonderful elucidation

[@Hector-dc8km]

I have spent hours trying to compensate for declination. This is by far the most simle way to figure it out.

[@FloridaAdventuring]

Hector jimenez Glad you liked it.

[@738polarbear]

excellent explanation.the best ive seen,cheers

[@IsaacC20]

Excellent explanation. Thank you for making the video.

[@stevegoodrum2168]

Excellent explanation with example bearings.

[@geraldya1]

this really very helpful and thank you for your explaining Sir!

[@Antonyparkerphoto]

best video on here explaining this thank you

[@FloridaAdventuring]

Antony Parker Thank you.

[@FloridaAdventuring]

I'm pleased it was helpful to you. Best regards.

[@FloridaAdventuring]

You're welcome.

[@TyJee28]

Good explanation that is very helpful. Thanks. The most accurate and easy way I have come up with to remember how to adjust for magnetic declination is to just look at the declination diagram and to think of the declination diagram as being the hands on a clock. And for my bearings to be correct , on the map or on the compass, I have to put the two hands together by moving only one hand or the other. Then asking do I need to rotate the hand CW or CCW to put the two together and which one needs to move? The True North line or the Magnetic North line. And them move the compass bezel in that direction by turning it either CW or CCW. The only other thing to remember is that a map bearing = True North bearing. A compass bearing = Magnetic North bearing. For example. If magnetic declination is 12˚ West . - If I have measured a bearing on the map of 60˚ to get the correct compass bearing I have to rotate the True North line CCW to the Magnetic North line to get the two together. So I rotate the bezel CCW by 12˚ to get 72˚compass magnetic bearing. If I have taken a compass bearing of 270˚ to a radio tower. To get the correct bearing to use on the map I would have to rotate the Magnetic North line CW to the True North line. So I rotate the compass bezel CW 12˚ to 258˚. And that would be the bearing to use on the map because on the map you use True North as the reference North. If the magnetic declination is East 10˚. - If I have measured a bearing of 60˚ on the map I would have to move the True North line to the Magnetic North line to get the two hands together to get the correct compass bearing. Which is CW. Therefore I rotate the compass bezel CW by 10˚ to set 50˚ on the compass. If I have measured a compass magnetic bearing of 100˚ to a parking lot to get the correct bearing to use on the map I would have to move the Magnetic North line to the True North line, which is CCW. So I rotate the compass bezel CCW by 10˚ to set 110˚ to use on the map. ( Or you could substitute Grid North and GMA if using the Grid N-S lines instead of True North) This way of thinking about it has taken primacy over an acronym I created to remember how to adjust for magnetic declination , which is WAvES. West Add v East Subtract. Where I only had to remember that WAvES is applied forwardly only when going from Map bearing to Compass bearing. If going form Compass bearing to Map bearing apply WAvES in reverse. That is it becomes West Subtract v East Add. But lately I have started thinking just looking at the declination diagram as hands on a clock and asking which direction am I going? From Magnetic bearing ( compass) to True Bearing (map). Or from True bearing ( map) to Magnetic bearing (compass). And is that direction CW or CCW ( or anti-clockwise as some call it).

[@salmanhyder6675]

thanks mentor :p , best of luck

[@FloridaAdventuring]

No. The only time you have to concern yourself with declination is when you're using a map and compass together. If you're not using a map, you can just use the magnetic readings on your compass. If you're not using a compass, but navigating with a map by terrain association, there's no need to think about declination. Hope this helps.

[@SaadKhan-rc4hz]

Thanks alot! This was really helpfull!

[@01bassboy]

How do you determine if you are located in a west or east declination area?Thank you for sharing.

[@01bassboy]

I think you already explained it by indicating that it would be on the map of your area...Thanks

[@johngo6283]

01bassboy In most cases, the map will have either a declination diagram or the printed magnetic declination on the legend somewhere. However, if your map is several decades old, the correct declination will probably be out of date. The best way to find correct declination for your area is to do a Google search.

[@FloridaAdventuring]

01bassboy It will be shown in the declination diagram on your topo map. Or, you can check here: www.magnetic-declination.com/

[@YST5700]

Considering the varying declination just within a single state, GPS has a lot going for it.

[@FloridaAdventuring]

You bet. You're welcome.

[@paganphil100]

"From Grid to Mag, add....from Mag to Grid, get rid" (for West declination areas). For East declination areas the formula is reversed. "Grid" means the bearing on your map and "Mag" means the bearing on your compass.

[@albusai]

I thought that the conversation is from magnetic to grid , since you are working with a map or from map to compas

[@reidtillery2856]

In most cases, there isn't a nickel's worth of difference between grid north and true north. I think the maximum difference anywhere, and that's close to the pole regions, is 3 degrees. Usually, it's much, much less. But, to be exact, you're right, the grid-magnetic angle is your declination. Thank you for watching, and asking a question. Best wishes.

[@allenheart582]

Because of the coming micronova, declination is moving much farther, and much faster and so declination information is likely incorrect but there is still a way to recalibrate magnetic declination using the shadow of sticks recording the path of the sun---rotation of the earth has not yet changed. First stick will show East. Mark it with a sharp stick pushed in. After a few minutes you can mark sun shadow travel where the shadow has moved - Push another stick in to mark West. Lay a straight stick from the E mark to the W mark. Geographic north or True North is 90 degrees from the E-W line. With your compass pointing toward True North, note how far off your compass is now. That is your true up-to-date declination. My up-to-date declination is 30 degrees, 15 degrees off from the official declination for my area. More on micronova in my 2nd book, Surviving the Micronova: This Train Is on the Tracks will be available in September.

[@reidtillery2856]

Or just go look at the North Star and see how far your compass needle is off from true north.

[@albusai]

Why working with true north ? You are supposed to work with grid north

[@georgeramirez961]

useful vid

[@YST5700]

A pen tablet would have been useful here.