Suunto MC-2G Compass (How to Plot a Bearing on a Map)

[@MaryannHazel]

Awesome instructions Andy...very well presented. Love the toothpick pointer. Brilliant!

[@TheAmericanBackpacker]

Lol, thanks, my eyes were a little off when initially pointing at those small points, age related, lol.

[@MaryannHazel]

@@TheAmericanBackpacker - I hear you. Thank goodness for cheaters - and my phone. I can zoom in on what I need to look at.

[@rickalexander2801]

You mentioned at 2:24 that the compass was already set for magnetic declination. But In Oregon where I live the MD is about 14 degrees East. Your orienting arrow was set at 0 degrees so the adjustment had not been made. Didn't know if you caught that.

[@TheAmericanBackpacker]

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.

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

Nice video. Thanks for sharing ✌️

[@loxandcompanyltd]

Quick question: do you have to make any adjustments when "going from map to ground" or "ground to map"? Or is this just for when using compasses without the built in declination settings? Thanks!

[@TheAmericanBackpacker]

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.

[@loxandcompanyltd]

@@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?

[@mendozaconsultation]

Does that compass have a Protrator feature built in and also,its surpose to be world wide compatable yes ?

[@TheAmericanBackpacker]

The compass itself is technically your protractor as you saw in my video. Yes, thus compass has a global needle and can be used worldwide.

[@Ron-nq6ft]

Where did you print that map from. USGS? I ordered maps from that website, but I apparently missed the link to the printable versions.

[@TheAmericanBackpacker]

I had a PDF file of that particular area. It was sent to me by organization located in Oregon.

[@scottb630]

Newbie Question: I’m in the northeast (Pa.); if the website shows an +11 east declination, but the map says 7 degrees (newish map), which do I use? Also, once the declination is set (same compass MC-2 NH, adjusted via. Brass screw in back), to get a bearing, should I have “N” pointed at center target (0) to start? Or start at the +11 degree offset?

[@TheAmericanBackpacker]

Use the website. Magnetic declination changes yearly and the map is probably outdated. Which website are you using?

[@markfletcher4964]

The lines inside the bezel are Orienting lines, not Meridian lines. Meridian lines are on the map. Additionally, why do that at all? Just orient your map to North and put the needle in the doghouse when plotting your bearing. Good video though, as usual.

[@TheAmericanBackpacker]

Yes that is correct. The red lines on the compass are called the orienting lines and why I called them meridian lines was my bad. I was to focused on the map and called them meridian lines versues orienting lines. Thanks for catching that.