Mirror Compass Vs. Base-Plate Compass Accuracy

[@EatCarbs]

You have a masterful way of explaining things sir. Well done. Thank you for the video

[@survivalresources]

Thank you sir...

[@joeazbear2349]

HI John, what an incredibly accurate, simple and precisely spoken explanation of using a mirror compass. The model you used looked like my beloved Silva Ranger, Type 15T. Your orienteering/ land navigation students are definitely in good hands with you Sir! OMG oops, Fred just escaped from my shed in my backyard!!! What now?

[@zeroed4x]

The best explanation that I've seen. Thank you.

[@ashy1423]

Thank you for your time and sharing your wealth of knowledge with us. Ash from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@miker5502]

Many thanks! This explained clearly the advantages of the mirrored compass over the base plate compass to me. Please keep making these videos to help those of us who might not be as well versed in outdoor equipment . Cheers Mike.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Very good demonstration and explanation! Thank you so much for taking the time to show this!

[@Βόρειο_Σέλας]

Excellent and simple explanation. I use the MC2G myself and love it. Thank you for sharing. Cheers from Australia.

[@bob2sticks]

.....used a Silva SCOUT compass the whole time in the Army......used line of sight...tough to walk without tripping etc., had one trooper fall in a hole trying to be too accurate......to each his own...good video Grizz

[@alaskankare]

great video! I never realized that before.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Great comparison with the lensatic, thanks!

[@jeremyb.1977]

Great demonstration on the differences of the compasses and why the mirror compass is a better choice. Thanks for sharing John! - Jeremy

[@MrBluesluver]

Great video. I'm in the process of relearning how to use a compass and this video helped a lot. Very useful information.

[@TyJee28]

Nicely explained John. One thing I have learned from using different models of mirror sighting compasses. That you did not mention. Is that due to parallax seen in the mirror reflection of the compass housing - at some azimuths you can't really see the magnetic needle completely centered inside the orienting arrow printed on the bottom of compass housing. And what you have to do is turn the compass ring to where the needle is aligned as precisely as possible parallel to the orienting arrow along the entire length of the needle to get the most accurate aiming of the compass or get the most accurate azimuth reading if taking a bearing from the land. At some azimuths one side or the other of the orienting arrow may be hidden below the magnetic needle. (on some compass models, depends on how wide or narrow the orienting arrow is on different models of compasses) At those azimuth bearings, make the needle and orienting arrow as parallel as possible. The most parallax is seen at azimuths near east or west. At azimuths near north or south, as in your example, you can usually see the magnetic needle completely centered inside both sides of the orienting arrow. I thought your explanation of how the v-notch gives you the most accurate aiming the farther away from your eye the compass is held was excellent. I would also encourage people go to your website and look at other helpful information in the Navigation Skills section under the Articles & Videos link. Good information. Thank you for making the information available. That is where I finally learned the real purpose of the extra 4 luminous dots inside the compass housing of the Suunto / Recta matchbox compasses. Later I learned Recta calls them detour marks, but they don't explain their purpose as clearly as you did.

[@9171drgn]

I enjoyed this video very much. You need to make more videos I learned a lot. Thank you.

[@survivalresources]

Thanks!

[@nikolaygrekov6637]

Very good explanation! Thank you very much, John!

[@lonewoodsman]

Great video John, I didn't know about the line in the mirror lining up with the pivot point. I look forward to taking your navigation course at Uitwaaien this year. Thanks for sharing.

[@kidbach]

very concise and clear explanation, must be the D.I. in you. great video as always, Leatherneck. Semper Fi.

[@survivalresources]

LOL

[@jamesr4455]

Excellent presentation!!

[@mrsdjsdj]

You are a really good teacher. Love to take a class with you. Someday I'll get out that way.

[@survivalresources]

Thanks!

[@MeyersCTR]

Thank you. I learned several things that I was not doing the best way.

[@WoodcraftLeagueOfAmerica]

awesome video, John. Thanks for the phenomenal explanation.

[@tunaakin8561]

You are a really good teacher. Best regards.

[@TheAx504]

Really helpful. Thanks..... Hopefully, I’ll never get lost again!

[@arctodussimus6198]

Outstanding video Good explanation 👍🏻👍🏻

[@thomasbartlett3409]

Very nicely done video as usual and thank you! Since you are a veteran with great knowledge, it would be nice to make a video comparing the more robust Military 3H Lensatic Compass to the baseplate.

[@davidforrest937]

I normally use mine that way. But instead of out front, you can also hold it backwards like the Brunton Pocket Transit (with mirror ~135 degrees open and towards body, held close to bellybutton) and look down directly at the dial and through the mirror at the horizon/target with the etched line across the target. It can be good for stability and keeping the needle damped for a good reading.

[@rdlykryk3229]

We attended the same school, thank you for the refresher course Jarhead. As Forever - Semper Fidelis

[@davidlane9724]

Great video, thank you for sharing. Makes very good sense

[@blackhatbushcraft]

Very good info and well presented.

[@survivalresources]

Thanks

[@michaelrapino5227]

Have you ever used a lensatic compass for orienteering? I'd love to see a video on this.

[@CristiNeagu]

4:46 This is the first time I've seen someone explain properly how to take a bearing with a lensatic compass. Everyone else just gets it wrong.

[@armorvestrus4119]

I really like the mirror compass, but I have used the baseplate compass to find corner markers over a distance of 600 feet through very thick woods and it worked great. I took the land owners right to their land marker. So I say it is more of what you practice with that matters most.❤

[@Wingman115]

Great info.

[@billiw.2508]

Wonderful video and great explanation! Thank you :-)

[@Thinkonthesethings77]

Thank you for the clear explanation. What type of camera are you using please?

[@patriceb26]

Bonjour , how to recognize a Suunto MC2 G Global system ? difference between SUUNTO MC-2 NH Mirror Compass and Suunto MC2 Global system?

[@Thereal111t]

Excellent video as always!

[@survivalresources]

Thanks

[@seethrupanti]

Good video!

[@PopCorn-xo8lm]

thank you, Sir!😊😊😊

[@rangersridge]

Excellent 👍

[@MadDogSurvival]

Excellent! Very well demonstrated sir! Best wishes 👍🏽👍🏽😎👌🏽👌🏽

[@phantomcruizer]

So what is the black arrow inside the mirror compass?

[@survivalresources]

It is a Clinometer which is used to measure angle or slope. It allows you to determine the angle of incline.

[@phantomcruizer]

@@survivalresources Thank you for your reply.

[@patriceb26]

bonjour so which one is the best ?

[@livapininfarina2164]

10/10 teacher points. Thank you :D

[@kenhadley6039]

Great video.

[@chaskott3]

Great video thank you

[@survivalresources]

Thanks

[@intothefoxhole7985]

Was that tree in the east?

[@tudordavies8204]

Great video John, thank you. By the way where did you buy that hat? I would love one.

[@rickmeadows686]

Good job!

[@incorectulpolitic]

What compass do you recommend that shows accurately magnetic north?

[@incorectulpolitic]

@@j3ngel All compasses do NOT show magnetic north very accurately. Just read the 1000s of reviews online of compasses. Most compasses are made in china. They break down fast develop bubbles in weeks etc.

[@willisblevins4190]

Very good thanks

[@truth8677]

Which mirror compass make and model do you recommend?

[@survivalresources]

Suunto MC-2

[@falk0n27]

@@survivalresources how about Silva Ranger S?

[@blccleaning]

Would you do a map and compass class in your area

[@survivalresources]

We do. www.survivalresources.com/basic-map-and-compass-10-7-17.html

[@blccleaning]

Thanks, I thought I heard you say you did not teach any more classes. I am 45 mins away and will try to make the May class

[@survivalresources]

We closed out full time school a while back. Now we just do day classes locally.

[@JamesPliny]

I have taught mountaineering navigation using base plate compasses that do not have a mirror. Part of the class has teams using their calculated back azimuth for a mile or so. No one has ever been lost and the last class had several teams dead on the money.

[@Leannhayes1111]

May I ask what kind of compass this is or let me know one you would recommend for purchasing? I'm having a hard time finding the right one.

[@survivalresources]

I use the Suunto MC-2 in the video. It is my preferred mirror compass.

[@Leannhayes1111]

@@survivalresources Awesome! Thank you for the quick response. I'm putting it on my Amazon wish list for emergency supplies. 🙂

[@joekelly978]

good video thanks

[@Cookiecutter160]

But you are using a reference point which in effect makes both types of compass accurate as long as you don't lose sight of your reference point.

[@survivalresources]

Mark, it is not the compass that is inaccurate, but the technique in which it is used. If your statement were true, then when shooting a gun, you would have the same accuracy whether you shoot from the hip or used sights or a scope. You will never be as accurate if you can not aim and read your compass at the same time.

[@mtothem1337]

I don't really find the mirror very useful. i guess if you are on a high point and you want to go to a specific mountain in the distance. being able to free aim can increase the accuracy a lot. But in most use cases for me. i align the compass with the help of the map. which means it's just as accurate.

[@turboturd7954]

its more accurate really.

[@KarlBrau]

Excelent video!!!!

[@mythoughtwhatyousay]

I would choose mc2 compass with mirror, that's a best one!

[@michaelbrowder1759]

Too much parallax if one does one's azimuth the way you say with a mirror compass,, although of course what you state about baseplate compasses is absolutely true and fairly obvious. In addition, you've done a false equivalence with a hand gun. Much of the reason for holding a handgun out in front is to brace and not have movement in the process or aiming or firing. A compass has neither the weight nor the recoil of a handgun both of which cause movement. The v-notch of a typical high quality mirror compass is certainly small enough to eliminate the problem you are describing. The parallax is a far bigger problem. I respect your experience, but like you I've taught and handled both compasses and firearms for years. And I've experimented with other super accurate compasses (more even than Lensatic ones although I know them having grown up with them and owning several currently. My experiments do not support what you are recommending.

[@jerrywilson1090]

Yo mama XD

[@patriceb26]

bonjour so which one is the best ?