How to Measure Distance With A Compass
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- čas přidán 22. 09. 2020
- Here is a quick video to show you how to measure how far away a landmark is using only a compass. I also show you how to measure the height of something using the same method (only if you have a Brunton style compass).
The compass I am using isn't a name brand Brunton but a similar build that I found on Amazon for a quarter of the price. This is easily the handiest tool I have in my bag (Get it?)
If you want to learn other neat surveying tricks and follow along with my field notes, be sure to hit subscribe. Feel free to comment below and let me know what kind of videos you'd like to see in the future.
I could never grasp ' tangents' at school. After your video it is becoming clearer, and with a bit of practice I should be able to finally grasp it. Thankyou.
Just found your Channel and subscribed. It's been many years since I've had to use a compass for my job. I realize there is much I did not know back in the old days. Thanks.
Have a nice day.
Amazing man! Finally catch math with compass.
Good idea❤❤
Excellent video...thankyou... I have a brunton 7....good tool, in addition, I have a brunton style pocket transit.....trying to get my head around east west being opposite....might make a good topic....thankyou
Good explanation, very clear!
Same method for angles less than about 11 degrees without needing trig functions is the following: establish the base (in this case, 10 ft, but you could use any base); take the angle; now, divide 57 by the angle and then multiply by the base. This works because the tangent of small angles of 11 degrees or less is approximately 57 divided by the degrees of the angle. Distance = base x 57/angle. You could even use 60 instead of 57 for simpler math since there is likely some error in the compass bearings taken.
The height you add is the height of your eyes above the ground, rather than your height.
how did i not think of this......did so much math in my lifetime but..never crossed my mind
Sick video! very informative :)
What kind of notebook was that orange one in the video? After scrounging the internet, I think it might be an Elan or Aditpro field book. But, I don't know exactly which one. It would be nice to know because of the line spacing and conversion tables.
Love the info and the music, what is the song called?
I'm trying to do this with objects at from 1.5 to 2 miles, and then calculating the GPS offset point.
My method involves the use of a laser measuring device that has a maximum of 400 feet. I turn an angle 90 degrees (just as you have done) but also add an angle 180 degrees opposite the first. The distance of the perpendicular line must be no less than 1,000 to 2,000 feet. This allows me to turn an angle of no less than 5 degrees. The angles are turned from the ends of this 1,000 to 2,000 foot line. The larger the angle (5 degrees in my case) the more accurate the calculated distance. Once I determine the distance (1.5 to 2 miles) I can then use this to determine GPS offset point. Friggin' need to write a data collection program app that does all the math. I plan to use a satellite locating compass to achieve .1 and even .05 minute accuracy for my math calculations. The true north will be pre set on a map, between two observable points, and the compas calibrated to this line, in the field, at the mountain. I need to calibrate the compas in the field, at the Glacier due to the mountain influence pulling the needle in the direction of the mountain peak. End result, highly accurate GPS offsets for search and rescue crews to recover remains with GPS drone way points. Much math, and the need for a smart phone app to crunch all the numbers. I call it 3D GPS triangulation. This is the process I plan on using after I've spotted something with the Nikon P1000, or the Leopold 60x spotting scope. Long range 60 to 500x magnification photography/video to find these remains sites only after the snow has melted off the glaciers 100%. Very difficult work.
That is just amazing how this was implemented to a game it's the same process of getting the angle subtracting 90° but it's 4.5 meters then using the compass again getting the angle getting the difference of the two angles and use the number and a graph to see how far away that object is
Of course the game I'm talking about is Minecraft.
Trigonometry one of the things I wanna keep experimenting with to create stuff that may or may not help
yeah I was thinking the exact same thing minecraft would probably be a good way to practice this and get faster at the math
If I remember this correctly... If you start from your first point then walk perpendicular 90° until your target is at 45° from your current point to your first point, then measure (yes by knowing your pace count lol) distance from point 1 to point 2, you will have a very good idea of your target distance as it should be almost exactly the same as point 1 to point 2. My watch doesn't have a calculator. And I'm not one to rely on my phone to always be operational. I love these kinds of tricks with a compass.
Awesome stuff with the height. I'm going to play with that tomorrow for sure!
Also, you're an awesome friend for using your friends music. And anyone who doesn't like it just doesn't need to say anything about it. That's called an opinion. And others may like it. Regardless... great video man.
only if it is relatively close...if it is a mile off it would be tough to do.
Walk 60° towards and stop at 30° then double that pace count and you have the distance
Great video! Where did you get that orange notebook at with the list of Tangents
That is a Duncan-Parnell fieldnotes book. They can be found online for pretty cheap! Though most field books should have a trig chart in the back as well!
where can one get the not book you are using
Wonderfull greetings from belize
Was your calculation correct? Did you measure the distance or height after?
Not sure if you're talking to me... But if you are then I did do the height. I came up a little short. Then remembered to add my height to the mix lol. And blamo!! Got it. And I agree with your other comment about it being difficult from a mile away. Agreed. I learned this as a river crossing to make sure there was enough rope to make the crossing without being bound in the river and then enough to tie to the secondary anchor far side. Amazing the things people come up with to make these calculations.
Good to see someone using his brain
What brand of compass are you using?
Hi dude.
Love this video.
I’ve tried finding more examples on using this method in real world situations but none can be found.
I am struggling to find out the full mathematical equation of how you would write it down and enter it into a calculator. Would you consider doing a more simplified detailed video of this please?
I’m UK 🇬🇧 and our maps work in Km at 1:25000 (I think).
I hope this isn’t a stupid question but being a numpty with learning disabilities due to my Autism I am struggling with grasping the information.
Thanks.
Just wanna preface that I never took trig, but I believe you would just convert the distances into metric to start out with. So instead of 10 feet, it would be 3.048 meters, you point the compass at the distant object you're measuring, then you calculate the angle(lets say 60 degrees) and move 3.048 and measure again(lets say 40 degree on this one).
You then take these 2 angles and subtract the second angle(40) from the first one (60) and we get 20 degrees.
Put 20 into your calculator and use the TAN button on it to get the tangent of 20 degrees (.3639702)
You then divide the distance between your 2 measurements(3.048) by the tangent(.3639702) to get your distance (8.374 meters)
I hope this helps, I have no idea how to calculate a tangent without that tan button XD
Does it have to be in feet or can you use metres?
As long as you use the same units throughout you can definitely use metres
Can you send a link or let us know where we can get that orange notebook?
What was he looking up in the book here 2:04 ?
Natural tangents I think, for the angle he got he's looking up the corresponding value for tan of that angle.
How do you convert this to metric?
just change it meter, lets say 5 meter. the function should be 5/tan (azimuth1-azimuth2)= results
And a rubber button is? (Blackadder)
Coincidence and stereoscopic rangefinders use the same principle to find out the distance. :)
I think it should be Tan-1 ???
SUPER
Very neat but could be even better by including an estimate for the error.
smart people
Great video! You can leave the measuring tape at home, try measuring it in your strides.
Thats a great idea, I jist need to know what my stride length is first!
@@localterrane1479 try counting it over a large length and putting it on a piece of tape on your compass. Something like 60 strides/100 meters.
... and something noone asked: which camera you use?!
This was all shot with a GoPro Hero8!
@@localterrane1479 Thanks, the other videos which aren't available now maybe possible to share in the near future? I really appreciate if someone share more informative and edited videos like this - with knowledge of special fields, like surveying.
This is should end in a"peace!" or "in your face!" or "boom!" Gg to science!:)):d
I thought tan=O/A
Bunny needs neo
EASIER WAY: Mark the point you are observing the landmark from, "A". Count a certain number of paces--any number--, walking 90 degrees perpendicular from landmark and mark the spot, B. Walk the same number of paces in the same direction and mark your spot, C. Then turn right 90 degrees and walk until B is in line with landmark. Mark that spot D. Count the number of paces from D to C. That is the number of paces from A to the landmark.
Could you elaborate? What if the location to landmark is miles away, that means you'd have to walk far enough for D to C to be equidistant from A to landmark?
Nice way of exploiting congruent triangles, but it's definitely not the "Easier way" lol. As mentioned by Asudef, you'd need to walk a lot if you're measuring a larger distance.
For somebody who never hold a compas in his hand, this video is not helping at all. You can't even see what's writen on that compas in the video.
It's the math thats important, not the actual cordinnattions.
Good information, but what is with that God awful music?
Wow that is so useful. Especially when you just used a tape measure to indicate your 10 feet, off to the side by 90 degrees. Completely redundant skill
The background music on your video is very irritating 😒
That background 'muzak' is very annoying and totally unnecessary. Please lose it.
Wait, who asked you?
@@localterrane1479 I guess you can't handle feedback.
@@TheTimeweaver its music made by a friend of mine. I will gladly support my friend's music.
@@localterrane1479 I can appreciate that. However, music should be added to augment your content, not detract from it. Music has no informational value on its own but can shape the impact of the what is being presented. Your video is made to share information, not music. So whatever music you choose should bolster that information-sharing.
the music is pretty annoying lol
forgive me for sounding like a newbie to this. but when I divide 10 by 19, I get .52631579. what am I doing wrong?
You have to divide 10 by tan(19)
You need to use the TAN button on your scientific calculator to get the correct answer.
I feel like im doing this all wrong do you have a discord or something to chat?