Hey Everybody! Just a heads up, I am working 12 hour days, seven days a week for the entire month of February. That's no days off at all for a month so I wont be answering the comments very fast this time. I'll get to them as time allows. Y'all take care.
I was in 6th Grade in 1978 , Stone Mill Elementary School in Stone Mountain , Georgia . Our math teacher taught us geometry , geology , map and compass , latitude and longitude . We had a field day navigating around our school yard with magnetic compasses . At that time the Agomic Line ran just through the Atlanta , Georgia area . She taught us about magnetic declination but it wasn't an issue for us at that time . Fast forward to 1985 . I joined the navy and was picked to become a radar operator . The course was 17 weeks long . There were two classes starting in the same week with about 45 students and two instructors for each class . Compass and map was week 1 . One student in my class failed out in the first hour of day one of the first week . 17 weeks later 76 students graduated and I was number 6 in grades . So graduation rate was about 80% or so . I sailed around the world for ten years . I've sailed the Persian Gulf twice , crossed the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans , navigated the Mediterranean and Caribean Seas and sailed off the Pacific coasts of North Korea and Russia . Dave , you did a pretty good job of explaining compass use in this video , take it from a " one upon a time " professional compass and map guy in the military .
Ah yes ... back in the day when they taught practical skills and used real-life to explain how things like Geometry and Geography mattered ! Well done, Victor. "Thank you for your Service" -- LOL -- Alan Former SGT, United States Army
I was in the 1st Armored Division as an armored reconnaissance specialist. I was taught extensively in map/compass navigation. Your explanation is by far the best I have ever seen!! Awesome job on this video!!!
This chap is the only adviser you need for hiking . Truthful and no BS. Down to earth like a backwoodsman should be.Excellent explanation BTW.I REALLY mean that.
I had many land nav courses throughout my Army career. This video is one of the clearest at explaining some of the more adnanced concepts. Outstanding work!
I have NEVER been hiking or camping BUT I MUST SAY that THIS was a GREAT VIDEO for ANYONE to watch. I learned some basic but invaluable navigation lessons here. Thank you Sir.
I've watched your navigation vids several times. You're the best because you don't rush through the information. You take the time to clearly explain these concepts in a way that they can be easily understood.
In my Army days navigation was quite often one of the more difficult courses,especially during very dark nights with zero light tolerance. A refresher course can always be useful. Thank you
I'm pretty good at day navigation but sometimes I have problems when it's super dark outside since I have to use certain trees as starting bearings. Thanks for watching James
I learned map reading and land navigation in Special Forces Basic. It served me well in more advanced training and in combat. I graduated First In Class from the IFFV Artillery Officers Advanced Course. I not braggingly, but confidently, state that I was probably the most proficient Forward Artillery Observer in 2/503RD PIR 173RD ABN BRIGADE only because I knew how to read a military map and compass. I credit my instructors.
I teach land navigation classes to children and adults. It is very difficult to get all of the ideas across without the prticiants becoming discouraged. You did an excellent job!!
In 1978 my Science teacher took us outside in the school yard with a compass to try to find things he mark ,I didn’t have a clue you sure brought some light to using a compass thank you
Glad you explained the diff. between true north and mag. north. Another thing folks need to keep in mind, is when the sun rises it is not true east. The way you showed is the best way to, pin point a rout. I can remember as a young guy, my Grandpa, would test us boys by taking off a day a head and leaving us the directions written down to find where he set up camp. He also made sure that he had the,"food". We didn't find him, we didn't eat that night. We learned early on to pack, "snacks".
You have given the best instruction with clear explanations of use of the compass. I hate to say but after owning my compass for more decades than I want to admit and looking at multiple confusing books by experts, I understood very little until now. Thank you so much and please keep teaching because you are giving a great service. I'm inspired to learn more because when I am in the woods I have limited my self to visual recognition of my surroundings. I want to be able to use the compass and map effectively.
Fantastic to hear you liked the video that much! I think a lot of the navigation and compass experts have so much knowledge that they have no idea how to explain it in simple terms. I try to keep things as simple as possible. Keep learning, keep practicing and thanks for watching
Just ran across this video. Whole world of folks whose head woulda been spinning 5 minutes in. Really good job of splainin a difficult to splain subject.
My Grandpa taught me how to use a compas as a kid and I am greatful for that. You really made this easy to understand. This could be the differance between life and death when someone gets lost in the woods.
Thanks! I think anyone that spends time outdoors should learn and carry a compass. It could easily save a life. Thanks for the comments and thanks for watching
While in urban areas one should also remember that power lines, running vehicles, poles, generators and transformers can also cause local attraction of the needle
This is one of these things ,if you read about it, it is a lot harder to understand,then when you have your compas and test it out ,and it's making sense while using it Wel explained Dave
My father trained with the Alaska State Troopers. He was a Village Public Safety Officer (Tribal Police). I was 16 years old (1984) he had one of these in his survival kit and he sat and explained how to use one of these (his was tin or aluminum), he watched as I figured it out, confirming it with him. Back then our runway numbers were numbered 15 and 33. Today that runway is 16 and 34. I'm 55 and retired from the fire service. If we have to call in a water drop we have the training to give a precise spot for the pilot. There are days when they fly in under extreme conditions and they rely on instruments and instinct to put water where it's needed. Drop, drop, drop...
I once gave a dismounted land navigation class in the Army National Guard when a captain asked why he needed to know how to use a map, compass and protractor because he had a GPS app on his phone. When the practical exercise portion, I collected all cells and GPS's. As I watched the CPT go 180⁰ the wrong way, I should have given him a crash course in wilderness survival, but he started to wonder into an impact area.
Thanks for the great tutorial. It brought me back to when I first learned all of this. I even found my trusty Silva compass from 1972. I saw the small bubble in it and thought it sprung a leak, until I went back to your video and saw the exact same bubble on yours. What I didn’t relearn was the tidbit about “red in the shed”. I won’t forget that’n.
You are very welcome Jon and I'm glad you liked it! I noticed something, several of my compasses develop a bubble during the winter months and during the summer they'll go away! Thanks for watching
When ya get a chance, show others how to remagnetize their compass needles. I once lost compass use when it was in my work bag with my drill batteries. Its easy but can be confusing. I saved a 30 dollar compass by doing what I'm sure you know already. Thanks again for what you do Dave. I got that new Churchill movie out of the way so I could save the best for last. Hope you have a prosperous month.
October 6th 2022 ** U did really great explaining this to me I have actually learned More from you than anyone else U r the only 1 who has actually broke it DOWN I have MY very 1st compass at age 60 YES U HEARD RIGHT NEVER WAS TAUGHT R EVEN SHOWN UNTIL NOW THANKS FOR THIS
When you "splane" it, its "clear as mud"! Love it! Thank you for the magnetic declination info, for the importance of a updated map! I never would have had a clue about it! As always Thank You Dave!
Surprised to see a video on your busy work schedule, so thanks. I think that pot lid you drew a circle around is valuable because I think it was made to fit many different diameter pots... thus the rings. xoxo from sunny 🌞 Arizona, 83/50f today.
Great video and thank you for the explanation and information. I was taught how to use one as a kid and my father make sure he knew what I was doing with it. Fast forward to today and now there are so many things that can affect compass readings, and really get you mixed up. People, please don't forget that your speaker in your phone and other electronics has a magnet and quite frankly, any electronic device can throw off a compass. "no matter where you go, there you are."
Hi David, I have just discovered your channel and just can’t get enough of your knowledge and wisdom when out on the trail. Now I like to consider myself a seasoned hiker, but haven‘t done any overnight stays on my own in the woods or mountains - yet. Hiking routes where I come from are extremely well marked and mapped out. However, it has often happened that when out hiking with a friend, we are chatting away nineteen to the dozen and not paying attention to where we‘re going when suddenly we find ourselves on an unmarked trail and have to traipse all the way back. Having watched your video on using a compass, I went out and bought myself one plus a map of my area and am now learning how to use them both. This is rather a long winded way of saying „thank you“ for motivating me to learn something new so that I may rely on my own judgement rather than follow signs blindly. Looking forward to seeing you in the next one!
Hello my friend! Great to hear you got a compass and are learning it. You're already a step ahead when you realize "yes, I can get lost at any time on any trail" Take care and thanks for watching!
I take my hat off to you for taking on this task of explaining a compass to your subscribers. That is true dedication to the sport, and love for your subscribers. For your information, your explanation was crystal clear. It was so clear that Ray Charles or Stevie Wonder could find their way out of any wilderness. Thank you for going the extra mile on this subject.
I took a class in college, 40 years ago. It was called "The Principles of Navigation". We didn't even rate a lecture hall. We were in like a double wide on campus. The teacher was a good guy, but I couldn't relate. I might could have flown you to Europe, but I would have gotten lost in Georgia within days. Thanks for keeping me thinking. :D
I hunt elk is some of the highest and roughest mountains of the lower 48 that holds elk! Years ago I decided to invest in a good quality GPS and after a couple years worth of hunting seasons I concluded that I still have to carry a good compass and map because tech fails. GPS and extra batteries is over a pound of added weight, at 10-14,000 ft every ounce counts. I just use the compass and a map and leave the GPS at home. I taught my kids to read a map and use a compass properly so they don’t have to carry a GPS as well! This is one case that old tech is better then new tech! Keep teaching people!
Thanks for the comments Floyd and man that's fantastic you taught your kids this stuff! New technology is fascinating but nothing as dependable as old school. Thanks for the comments and thanks for watching
Hey Dave. Just to add an update to your compass introduction that our K-9 Search and Rescue Instructor passed along to us after some of us happened to make a Big mistake in our "outdoor class" was placing a Map and Compass , ** on the hood of a car or truck** and taking a bearing, or placing a Map and Compass on a **wood table (with nails or screws)** One's "Direction of Travel** will be compromised by the Metal of the hood of a car or truck and the nails or screws in a wood table. Some of our class members were like one eye'd ants going round in circles. It's the little things, that can make a Big difference in one's choice of land navigation.
I have never none how to read a compass. Now I think with some practice i can figure it out. Thank you so so much for taking the time to teach us all the things you have. Please keep making more videos, they help so much. Thank you all. Have a blessed day.
Best job I’ve seen on this subject. One of the instruction videos I watched pointed out a Mountain Peak in the distance as their “Orange Vest”...I found that very difficult to understand but YOUR tutorial on the subject Nailed It...Thank You...as I wander out in my back yard here in Texas and try to work this out on my own!
You're the best instructor on utube . I have a Sportneer® lensatic prismatic compass. Has a built in lense. Easy to take bearings but doesn't have a " Fred in the shed" . I've been on u tube trying to figure out how to get back to parking spot after 'getting lost "in the woods. Ican take a bearing from an object near my car. But trying to get back is all down hill oh yeah without a map help. Taking a bearing is one step.Aim and look thru the stationary lense Thanks so much. Sir
wow i really have lot to catch up on here on Your fantastic channel my friend. Thanks again for sharing great material. Greetings from WW2HistoryHunter
all of your videos are easy to understand because you are so patient and go to great lengths to explain it clearly...I appreciate you! ps...I'm a woman who LOVES being in the woods doing stuff like what you do! and your "big blade video" was one of my most favorites!! I LOVE knives and things that chop! I just received my Gransfors Bruks small forest axe and think that your blade video will help me to get the perfect machete (and i'm desperate for a neck knife now!! Love how you use the cordage and that you can SEW!! geez... and those bacon & egg plugs...I made some and added sausage too which turned out really good. Thank you for sharing! you are amazing! Sorry for the ramble but I have binge watched you for 2 days in a row...lol
Thanks and that's great to hear! You definitely got a good axe. Any Mora will make a good neck knife. Let me know if you have any machete questions. Post them on the big blade video so I can find them. Thanks for watching!
Well, I'm to the end of the video and I actually understand how to adjust for declination and why, how to find a bearing, how to locate a bearing, and even how to take a back bearing in case you have to cross a lake or some other obstacle and need to make sure you're on the right path. Thanks a lot! I can see how this was a really tough topic to not only explain, but also to film. Thank you so much for your effort and hard work!
I discovered this web site because even with taking my backpacking 101, and 201, and and my backpacking 401 "off trail navigation" exercises I have done, I have always had to have someone always assist me on my 401 because compasses have ALWAYS been confusing and difficult to learn and follow. But in spite of the blurred video, WOW!!! This video is amazing. You did such a great job!!! I am going to go to my backpacking 201, (as the Leader's assistant) because I already taken the course, but because of YOUR video, I can explain everything to the new hikers about compasses, and taking bearings like you did for me, and I have you to thank for it!!!! I love the baseball technique. When I forget, I think of that, and I remember now! Thanks to you, I know a lot more about compasses, I can take a bearing now, and find a bearing with confidence!!!!! You may already have this video, but is there a way you can make a video on how to calculate a destination you want to get to, and figure out how long it will take to get there? I know for me, it takes 60 steps for a 100 yards, and about 18 min to walk a mile.... can you please help and explain an easier way to get from point A to point B? If I want to walk a trail, how can I know for sure approximately how long will it take? I should be at this spot in xx amount of time. Thank you so much!!!! God Bless.
Thanks Deanna! I'm glad you liked and that much! Nope, I haven't made a video like that. Some things are easy to make understandable and some ain't. If I can made a good video on it I will. Thanks for watching and may God bless you too
This is a good video for sure. I had some compass training in the Scouts 40 years ago and some training in the state guard about 10 years ago. I have always been unsure whether to add or subtract the declination degrees. I got it now and appreciate your work here, its simple enough for a beginner and a good refresher for those who already know (or think they know). Thanks. By the way, when we were in the Scouts many of the Scoutmasters were veterans so when we went on a week long camp we had to have someone on guard all night in one hour shifts. You better know which tent your relief is in and where he is in the tent so you dont wake up the wrong person !
Thanks John, I'm glad you liked it. I was a scout leader myself, those were some great years! Sounds like you had some exciting scout trips too. Thanks for watching
Wow. That was an absolutely excellent explanation with enough detail for a comprehensive understanding of the physical compass. I’m pretty sharp with its use and can say for sure that anyone watching should easily be able to make sense of the compass’s operations. Nice job!! Thanks for creating this content and I will absolutely be passing this around!!! 👍🏻😎👍🏻
Watched a second time. This is the best video for understanding a compass when no one understands compasses anymore. I understood nothing except it points north before this.
You have covered a really complex topic extremely well. Your comment about carrying 2 compasses to give you confidence in the heading rather than mistrust the heading taken from 1 compass is an excellent idea. That exact piece of advice kept me from getting lost while traveling through unknown territory once. I would have sworn my compass had gone somehow wacko until I pulled out my second compass and it supported the heading I read on the first compass. That is likely a piece of advice the individual wouldn't have read in a book but you gave in this video. Excellent job on your part! Thank you for taking the time to do this video right. I know it was not easy to do so in a way that tied all the pieces together . . . but, you did it!
Thanks Bob! I can tell you speak from experience! A lot of folks think it cant happen but sometimes you question what a compass says. So its good to know for sure.
Man I really appreciate this video! I'm 54 years old and own a couple of compass and to be honest I hunt and fish and am a outdoor person not a city boy.. but I never actually knew how to use one! You explained it perfectly! And I'm not sure where you are from but I'm in western NC and you sound just like everyone I talk to . I completely understood everything you said! Thanks again bro!
You are very welcome Tim and I'm glad you liked it! I live in North Georgia, we pretty much all sound the same down south. Lol, thanks for watching brother
Great video. You made a great description of how the declination constant works, and why. A simple trick for getting that back sighting/azimuth, rather than messing up your compass settings, is to just read the white arrow. To your bearing, it is always 180 degrees off, so you will still know you are on line. Another thing I like to point out with these kinds of videos: "Make sure you are reading the compass, and not the needle.". Many times I have found people do not understand this little point, and I can give examples (not necessary here). The needle points north. That is all it does. The compass itself, gives the direction/ azimuth/bearing you need to travel/identify. From experience, 3 degrees can make quite a distance, over a mile. 1 degree can be the difference between finding and missing a point.
thank you for the video that was extremely informative and helpful. things to remember: How to account for Magnetic declination when reading a map. 23:19. If it's a negative (--) West Declination then you have to go to magnetic declination website and add that amount to the degrees you see on the map. If you 're living in a place with Positive (+) East Declination then you have to go to magnetic declination website and subtract that amount from the degrees you see on the map.
All the non important stuff we learn in school....this is a basic thing yet important thing to learn. I wish o had learned this in school. You'd be a good teacher. Very well explained.
Im an old guy who used to know these things. Never thought someone could teach me something that I thought I knew. You sir , are a excellent teacher. My Life Scout days were never this clear and precise. Keep making the tubes.
I watched this video when there were a few comments had to come back for a refresher course,for my grandson love the way you make it easier.keep those videos coming.
In the Army I thought it was neat finding my position by getting the back azimuth off triangulation from two characteristic landmark features on the map with my lensatic compass. In the boyscouts our scout masters gave us sets of bearings and distances between different points - we went through the woods all manner of different directions - each group from different starting points. But with our directions we should all be able to meet up at the same spot. Well, on paper, it might look good. At the end we had scouts scattered all over a field - each claiming THIS is the spot! That's really good practice.
I started backpacking in 1971 and because of my Army training I knew how to use it. I met people in the high Sierra with a map, but no compass. They almost always asked just where they were on cloudy days when they couldn't tell which way was which and mountains in every direction and the trail covered up with snow. No GPS and you better carry a compass and a map.
Thank you David! Coming from a person who wants to learn about reading a compass and had NO experience OR knowledge THIS is the video that i will be relying on to teach me. .i will watch this video over and over and over again until the knowledge is branded in my brain. Awesome video Sir thank you very much and God Bless!
You brought back so much I had forgotten from my scouting days when I was taught this but didn't retain it. You did a great job I have retained more in this video than I did then from my Scoutmaster.
I used to navigate under water, 80 feet, using my compass. This is a very good video. Would like to see more about map reading. Former general aviation pilot.
@@GTNBY2 lol 😂 I laughed out loud and my dog jumped onto my lap!! I did orienteering years ago when I was young, and I am an engineer's daughter, so I love this comment! 👍🏾😁
Except for the little bit of Fuzzy ......This has been an excellent video. I can't believe how much I've just learnt. I'm 63 and looking forward to using my compass as it should be used. You are a great teacher. Thank you
For as difficult as that seemed for you to piece it all together and then to explain it, you did a fantastic job! I never thought I would find the subject so interesting, but the truth is compasses have always frustrated me and fascinated me at the same time. I learned a great deal from you in this lesson. I wrote it all down and now I have to look for someone to share it all with. Great job! Thx!
Sounds like a good old Georgia boy to me. Damned good lesson!!! He’s sure right about 2! Was in a swamp one night and could not make myself believe my compass was right! Pulled out a backup and there is something about 2 saying the same thing puts your mind back on track! Hard to believe unless you’ve been there! Good show!
Thanks Dan, I'm glad you liked it. Very well said, in a lot of cases folks do not believe their compasses. Bring two and believe what they say! Thanks for watching
I've been studying "Be an Expert with Map & Compass" third edition by Bjorn Kjellstrom and I wanted to say thank you for your tutorial because your on point and easy to understand. And I agree learning to navigate by compass is complex but rewarding.
Thank you. I've been trying to understand this for sometime. I started trail running and would like to do longer hikes. I use a compass for basic in and out hunting but not to use headings or destination points. Very helpful. I've wanted to use topo maps but never fully understood them. Your video has given me some confidence. Now all I have to do is out it into practice. Thank you again
BEST explanation on map and compass I've seen so far - even if a bit wobbly (since it can be so difficult to film), that was no big deal as you did an EXCELLENT job making it so much easier to follow, grasp and solidify the concepts in the noggin! Thanks so much.
That back bearing info was some priceless stuff. People need to know that being in the woods ain't like practicing orienteering in a city park so you better learn what Reallybig is laying down here. Them woods got lakes, hills, valleys, cliffs and a ton of other obstructions you better know how to deal with and still keep your heading. Nice job.
A most excellent and informative video as always. One thing i think for people new to learning to use one is all the junk ones out there because there is so many of them.. n that can definitely mess you up.
Thank you for such an interesting and informative lecture on how to use a compass as I have never used one and your explanation is more than adequate and easy-to-remember. I just realized that all the points on the compass that are part of the 8-star coordinates equal to the number 9 if you add all numbers separately. Except for the True North point at 0, 45-degrees at NE is 4 +5=9. E at 90 degrees is 9+0=9. SE at 135 is 1+3+5=9. S at 180 degrees is 1+8+0=9. SW at 225 degrees is 2+2+5=9. W at 270 degrees is 2+7=9. NW at 315 degrees is 3+1+5=9. The compass is one of those mystical number sequences that appears to have an internal grand design based on the number nine. I saw once a video on how Tesla claimed that the numbers 3/6/9 have highly significance and I think I will watch that video now. I never thought about this until I watched your video and how you so well broke down the directions and declination and all that good stuff, which brought me to thinking about higher mathematics.
This is the Dave Pearson draw my life video we've been waiting for! Haha! On a serious note though, this video had been the most helpful I've seen. Coalcracker bushcraft uploaded a video recently about compasses and it just went right over my head. I guess I require a lot of explanation to get it through my thick skull lol. I watched the other video you posted and it had good info too. It's got me to thinking that I need to get me a good one or two now as well.
Have done some compass courses as a part of an outdoor survival class in college and wanted to make sure I still understood how everything works. Great refresher!
I got lost several times in the woods, mainly because the sun was in one direction before I took a nap. Then when I woke up I followed the sun and found it moved and got me lost. I was young back then. Now I will check what side of the road I am on before I go into the woods, so I know what reading I need to follow to find the road. Now that I trap problem beaver for tree farms I use a Garmin hunting GPS with property lines installed. This way I can put in a waypoint. Take a photo of the screen and text the land owner to show him the area I trapped and send photos of the beaver I caught there. Works pretty good and makes it easy to make a bee line back to the truck. Compass or GPS, it's very important to know where you are and how to get out. Getting lost, makes you look pretty dumb, even though it happens to everyone sooner or later.
@@Reallybigmonkey1Yes it does, always liked your advice and presentations. Also I use to be Parrotbill when I did bird shows. Now I'm Tally Beaverman, so I have been a fan of yours a very long time.
Hey Everybody! Just a heads up, I am working 12 hour days, seven days a week for the entire month of February. That's no days off at all for a month so I wont be answering the comments very fast this time. I'll get to them as time allows. Y'all take care.
Assho**s and elbows brother Have a good month and we'll see ys when we see ya
Wow, that’s some schedule!
Reallybigmonkey1 have fun with them hours!
Roger.Wilco....
Wow, I know that feeling. Be careful and take care brother.
I spent 23 years in the Navy as a Navigator and this is the best lesson I've ever seen on using a compass.
Thank you Danny!
@@Reallybigmonkey1
If I may ask sir, what make is that compass.? I have a small cheap clear one, but I would like to try that one with the mirror.
@@jenky1044 I believe it's a Suunto MC2 🙂
@@destinationbushcraft1833
Thank you for your help. I picked one up a couple of months ago.
@@jenky1044 sorry for the belated reply, I do hope you're enjoying your compass :D
I was in 6th Grade in 1978 , Stone Mill Elementary School in Stone Mountain , Georgia . Our math teacher taught us geometry , geology , map and compass , latitude and longitude . We had a field day navigating around our school yard with magnetic compasses . At that time the Agomic Line ran just through the Atlanta , Georgia area . She taught us about magnetic declination but it wasn't an issue for us at that time . Fast forward to 1985 . I joined the navy and was picked to become a radar operator . The course was 17 weeks long . There were two classes starting in the same week with about 45 students and two instructors for each class . Compass and map was week 1 . One student in my class failed out in the first hour of day one of the first week . 17 weeks later 76 students graduated and I was number 6 in grades . So graduation rate was about 80% or so . I sailed around the world for ten years . I've sailed the Persian Gulf twice , crossed the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans , navigated the Mediterranean and Caribean Seas and sailed off the Pacific coasts of North Korea and Russia . Dave , you did a pretty good job of explaining compass use in this video , take it from a " one upon a time " professional compass and map guy in the military .
Ah yes ... back in the day when they taught practical skills and used real-life to explain how things like Geometry and Geography mattered !
Well done, Victor.
"Thank you for your Service" -- LOL
-- Alan
Former SGT, United States Army
Victor Waddell, that’s amazing! I’ve never heard of map and compass being taught in school. That would have helped me a lot in geometry!
Susan Stoltz. Most school students are taught under the Common Core curriculum now . There's no time to teach them these skills anymore .
How's bragging camp going?
@@mrhighjynx
Hush up Randy
I was in the 1st Armored Division as an armored reconnaissance specialist. I was taught extensively in map/compass navigation. Your explanation is by far the best I have ever seen!! Awesome job on this video!!!
Really? That's fantastic to hear that!
@@Reallybigmonkey1 Yep, put in simple terms that people can understand and retain!! Great job!!
Yes, great job going "Barney style". Easy to understand, for everyone.
Even us big apes...lol
I agree. When I learned Map reading this would have made it so much easier as an Armor Co Commander
I signed up for the Army in 1980. I was nineteen delta.
I truly don't understand people that get lost.
This chap is the only adviser you need for hiking . Truthful and no BS. Down to earth like a backwoodsman should be.Excellent explanation BTW.I REALLY mean that.
Thank you my friend!
Totally awesome every child should be taught this!!
Thank you Frank!
I had many land nav courses throughout my Army career. This video is one of the clearest at explaining some of the more adnanced concepts. Outstanding work!
Fantastic to hear that my friend!
Did they teach you regarding stationary non-rotating earth? Like many of the declassified documents explain
I have NEVER been hiking or camping BUT I MUST SAY that THIS was a GREAT VIDEO for ANYONE to watch. I learned some basic but invaluable navigation lessons here.
Thank you Sir.
Thanks, I'm glad you liked it that much! Thanks for watching
You've NEVER been hiking?
Its just walking.
Nature is everywhere.
Get out there...✌have fun.
I've watched your navigation vids several times. You're the best because you don't rush through the information. You take the time to clearly explain these concepts in a way that they can be easily understood.
I'm glad you like the way I do things Amy!
@@Reallybigmonkey1 A guy with a decent size ego who knows bushcrafting, camping and survival? Shoot... I'd marry ya Dave!! You ROK!!
In my Army days navigation was quite often one of the more difficult courses,especially during very dark nights with zero light tolerance. A refresher course can always be useful. Thank you
I'm pretty good at day navigation but sometimes I have problems when it's super dark outside since I have to use certain trees as starting bearings. Thanks for watching James
I learned map reading and land navigation in Special Forces Basic. It served me well in more advanced training and in combat.
I graduated First In Class from the IFFV Artillery Officers Advanced Course. I not braggingly, but confidently, state that I was probably the most proficient Forward Artillery Observer in 2/503RD PIR 173RD ABN BRIGADE only because I knew how to read a military map and compass. I credit my instructors.
@@georgerivera9220 Thanks for the comments and thanks for your service George
I teach land navigation classes to children and adults. It is very difficult to get all of the ideas across without the prticiants becoming discouraged. You did an excellent job!!
Thank you Stephanie! That's great to hear!
Agreed very competent
As a USAF Veteran you did a good job with this compass class. This will help a ton of folks.
Thanks Ed! I'm glad you liked it
Best explanation of using a compass I have ever watched well done Reallybigmonkey
Fantastic to hear that my friend!
I now understand a lot more about navigating by compass that I did before watching your video.
don't cut your self short ever, you did a great job, very smart, thanks, George
Thank you George!
In 1978 my Science teacher took us outside in the school yard with a compass to try to find things he mark ,I didn’t have a clue you sure brought some light to using a compass thank you
Fantastic to hear that Robert! Thanks for watching
Glad you explained the diff. between true north and mag. north. Another thing folks need to keep in mind, is when the sun rises it is not true east. The way you showed is the best way to, pin point a rout. I can remember as a young guy, my Grandpa, would test us boys by taking off a day a head and leaving us the directions written down to find where he set up camp. He also made sure that he had the,"food". We didn't find him, we didn't eat that night. We learned early on to pack, "snacks".
David Weirauch How neat... !
Cool! What a fun grandpa!
Looks like his plan never worked. "Damned kids! Outsmarted again!"
You have given the best instruction with clear explanations of use of the compass. I hate to say but after owning my compass for more decades than I want to admit and looking at multiple confusing books by experts, I understood very little until now.
Thank you so much and please keep teaching because you are giving a great service. I'm inspired to learn more because when I am in the woods I have limited my self to visual recognition of my surroundings.
I want to be able to use the compass and map effectively.
Fantastic to hear you liked the video that much! I think a lot of the navigation and compass experts have so much knowledge that they have no idea how to explain it in simple terms. I try to keep things as simple as possible. Keep learning, keep practicing and thanks for watching
I was lost till I found this video. LOL. Very informative. I have learned a lot about compasses that I didn't know before. Thank you!
Lol, Thank you William!
Just ran across this video. Whole world of folks whose head woulda been spinning 5 minutes in. Really good job of splainin a difficult to splain subject.
Thank you Joe
My Grandpa taught me how to use a compas as a kid and I am greatful for that. You really made this easy to understand. This could be the differance between life and death when someone gets lost in the woods.
Thanks! I think anyone that spends time outdoors should learn and carry a compass. It could easily save a life. Thanks for the comments and thanks for watching
Will watch this again (maybe several times) but with my compass in hand. Hear/See/Do. Thanks, Dave!
I bought a new compass after watching. Told a friend of mine to watch you video. He is convinced he needs a real compass. Thank you.
That's great to hear Josh!
While in urban areas one should also remember that power lines, running vehicles, poles, generators and transformers can also cause local attraction of the needle
Very good point
Oh that's great! I never heard about getting back on track after circling a lake. Very helpful!
This is one of these things ,if you read about it, it is a lot harder to understand,then when you have your compas and test it out ,and it's making sense while using it
Wel explained Dave
so steve mml
My father trained with the Alaska State Troopers. He was a Village Public Safety Officer (Tribal Police). I was 16 years old (1984) he had one of these in his survival kit and he sat and explained how to use one of these (his was tin or aluminum), he watched as I figured it out, confirming it with him. Back then our runway numbers were numbered 15 and 33. Today that runway is 16 and 34.
I'm 55 and retired from the fire service. If we have to call in a water drop we have the training to give a precise spot for the pilot. There are days when they fly in under extreme conditions and they rely on instruments and instinct to put water where it's needed. Drop, drop, drop...
Now that's skilled! Thanks for sharing that Lecon!
I’ve owned a compass off & on since I was a kid.. Never knew there was this much too it..
Thanks for the eye opening lesson.
You are very welcome my friend and I'm glad you liked it!
great stuff most people just think of a compass as a needle that points north they dont take the time to actually understand how to really use one
Great vid glad to see you back around
I once gave a dismounted land navigation class in the Army National Guard when a captain asked why he needed to know how to use a map, compass and protractor because he had a GPS app on his phone. When the practical exercise portion, I collected all cells and GPS's. As I watched the CPT go 180⁰ the wrong way, I should have given him a crash course in wilderness survival, but he started to wonder into an impact area.
Thanks for sharing that Eric! That's a perfect example of why folks need to know how to use a compass
I respect rank, but experience wins every time. Thanks for your service.
Thanks for the great tutorial. It brought me back to when I first learned all of this. I even found my trusty Silva compass from 1972. I saw the small bubble in it and thought it sprung a leak, until I went back to your video and saw the exact same bubble on yours. What I didn’t relearn was the tidbit about “red in the shed”. I won’t forget that’n.
You are very welcome Jon and I'm glad you liked it! I noticed something, several of my compasses develop a bubble during the winter months and during the summer they'll go away! Thanks for watching
When ya get a chance, show others how to remagnetize their compass needles. I once lost compass use when it was in my work bag with my drill batteries. Its easy but can be confusing. I saved a 30 dollar compass by doing what I'm sure you know already. Thanks again for what you do Dave. I got that new Churchill movie out of the way so I could save the best for last. Hope you have a prosperous month.
From a military man, much respect to you for making this video. Good info, brother.
Thank you Rob!
Rob James your not military or you would not think its good its called resection and why do you need this if you were military were you a gold brick ?
@@djones9122 Cut the crap!-I was-Vietnam-and if Rob says he was-take him at his word!
October 6th 2022 **
U did really great explaining
this to me I have actually learned
More from you than anyone else
U r the only 1 who has actually broke it DOWN
I have MY very 1st compass
at age 60
YES U HEARD RIGHT
NEVER WAS TAUGHT R EVEN SHOWN UNTIL NOW
THANKS FOR THIS
Well I'm glad you learned from me! I tried to make it as simple as possible. Thanks for the comments and thanks for watching Trish
When you "splane" it, its "clear as mud"! Love it! Thank you for the magnetic declination info, for the importance of a updated map! I never would have had a clue about it! As always Thank You Dave!
You are very welcome my friend!
Following on from the last speaker: You are a good teacher. Well done!
Surprised to see a video on your busy work schedule, so thanks. I think that pot lid you drew a circle around is valuable because I think it was made to fit many different diameter pots... thus the rings. xoxo from sunny 🌞 Arizona, 83/50f today.
Well I filmed two ahead of time because I knew I would be working 40 plus days straight!
This video is great. Probably the best presentation for Compass reading I have ever seen.
Fantastic to hear that my friend!
Great video and thank you for the explanation and information. I was taught how to use one as a kid and my father make sure he knew what I was doing with it. Fast forward to today and now there are so many things that can affect compass readings, and really get you mixed up. People, please don't forget that your speaker in your phone and other electronics has a magnet and quite frankly, any electronic device can throw off a compass. "no matter where you go, there you are."
Thanks, I'm glad you liked it. Very good point on watch what can effect a compass!
Hi David, I have just discovered your channel and just can’t get enough of your knowledge and wisdom when out on the trail. Now I like to consider myself a seasoned hiker, but haven‘t done any overnight stays on my own in the woods or mountains - yet. Hiking routes where I come from are extremely well marked and mapped out. However, it has often happened that when out hiking with a friend, we are chatting away nineteen to the dozen and not paying attention to where we‘re going when suddenly we find ourselves on an unmarked trail and have to traipse all the way back. Having watched your video on using a compass, I went out and bought myself one plus a map of my area and am now learning how to use them both. This is rather a long winded way of saying „thank you“ for motivating me to learn something new so that I may rely on my own judgement rather than follow signs blindly. Looking forward to seeing you in the next one!
Hello my friend! Great to hear you got a compass and are learning it. You're already a step ahead when you realize "yes, I can get lost at any time on any trail" Take care and thanks for watching!
I take my hat off to you for taking on this task of explaining a compass to your subscribers. That is true dedication to the sport, and love for your subscribers. For your information, your explanation was crystal clear. It was so clear that Ray Charles or Stevie Wonder could find their way out of any wilderness. Thank you for going the extra mile on this subject.
Thank you my friend!
I took a class in college, 40 years ago. It was called "The Principles of Navigation". We didn't even rate a lecture hall. We were in like a double wide on campus. The teacher was a good guy, but I couldn't relate. I might could have flown you to Europe, but I would have gotten lost in Georgia within days. Thanks for keeping me thinking. :D
I hunt elk is some of the highest and roughest mountains of the lower 48 that holds elk! Years ago I decided to invest in a good quality GPS and after a couple years worth of hunting seasons I concluded that I still have to carry a good compass and map because tech fails. GPS and extra batteries is over a pound of added weight, at 10-14,000 ft every ounce counts. I just use the compass and a map and leave the GPS at home. I taught my kids to read a map and use a compass properly so they don’t have to carry a GPS as well! This is one case that old tech is better then new tech! Keep teaching people!
Thanks for the comments Floyd and man that's fantastic you taught your kids this stuff! New technology is fascinating but nothing as dependable as old school. Thanks for the comments and thanks for watching
Hey Dave. Just to add an update to your compass introduction that our K-9 Search and Rescue Instructor passed along to us after some of us happened to make a Big mistake in our "outdoor class" was placing a Map and Compass , ** on the hood of a car or truck** and taking a bearing, or placing a Map and Compass on a **wood table (with nails or screws)** One's "Direction of Travel** will be compromised by the Metal of the hood of a car or truck and the nails or screws in a wood table. Some of our class members were like one eye'd ants going round in circles. It's the little things, that can make a Big difference in one's choice of land navigation.
Very good point!
You are an excellent teacher. Congratulations!!!
thanks Carlos!
I have never none how to read a compass. Now I think with some practice i can figure it out. Thank you so so much for taking the time to teach us all the things you have. Please keep making more videos, they help so much. Thank you all. Have a blessed day.
You are very welcome Angie. Now go practice, watch more videos and learn to trust your compass. Thanks for watching
I truly plan on it. Thank you.
Thank you for patiently explaining all of this. Much appreciated.
You are very welcome my friend and thanks for watching
Thank you for explaining how to use a compass in a way I can really understand. You make it sound so simple. Take care
You are very welcome and Thanks for watching
You're welcome. That was a fast reply. I thought you'd be working or resting. lol. Thanks for replying so fast. Now go get some rest. lol
Best job I’ve seen on this subject. One of the instruction videos I watched pointed out a Mountain Peak in the distance as their “Orange Vest”...I found that very difficult to understand but YOUR tutorial on the subject Nailed It...Thank You...as I wander out in my back yard here in Texas and try to work this out on my own!
Thanks Larry! I'm happy to hear it was that helpful!
You're the best instructor on utube . I have a Sportneer® lensatic prismatic compass. Has a built in lense. Easy to take bearings but doesn't have a " Fred in the shed" . I've been on u tube trying to figure out how to get back to parking spot after 'getting lost "in the woods. Ican take a bearing from an object near my car. But trying to get back is all down hill oh yeah without a map help. Taking a bearing is one step.Aim and look thru the stationary lense Thanks so much. Sir
I'm glad you found this helpful! And thanks for watching
wow i really have lot to catch up on here on Your fantastic channel my friend. Thanks again for sharing great material. Greetings from WW2HistoryHunter
Great hearing from ya again brother!
Truly, an excellent presentation.
all of your videos are easy to understand because you are so patient and go to great lengths to explain it clearly...I appreciate you! ps...I'm a woman who LOVES being in the woods doing stuff like what you do! and your "big blade video" was one of my most favorites!! I LOVE knives and things that chop! I just received my Gransfors Bruks small forest axe and think that your blade video will help me to get the perfect machete (and i'm desperate for a neck knife now!! Love how you use the cordage and that you can SEW!! geez... and those bacon & egg plugs...I made some and added sausage too which turned out really good. Thank you for sharing! you are amazing! Sorry for the ramble but I have binge watched you for 2 days in a row...lol
Thanks and that's great to hear! You definitely got a good axe. Any Mora will make a good neck knife. Let me know if you have any machete questions. Post them on the big blade video so I can find them. Thanks for watching!
Well, I'm to the end of the video and I actually understand how to adjust for declination and why, how to find a bearing, how to locate a bearing, and even how to take a back bearing in case you have to cross a lake or some other obstacle and need to make sure you're on the right path. Thanks a lot! I can see how this was a really tough topic to not only explain, but also to film. Thank you so much for your effort and hard work!
Fantastic to hear that Lisa and I'm glad you found this helpful!
I discovered this web site because even with taking my backpacking 101, and 201, and and my backpacking 401 "off trail navigation" exercises I have done, I have always had to have someone always assist me on my 401 because compasses have ALWAYS been confusing and difficult to learn and follow. But in spite of the blurred video, WOW!!! This video is amazing. You did such a great job!!! I am going to go to my backpacking 201, (as the Leader's assistant) because I already taken the course, but because of YOUR video, I can explain everything to the new hikers about compasses, and taking bearings like you did for me, and I have you to thank for it!!!! I love the baseball technique. When I forget, I think of that, and I remember now!
Thanks to you, I know a lot more about compasses, I can take a bearing now, and find a bearing with confidence!!!!!
You may already have this video, but is there a way you can make a video on how to calculate a destination you want to get to, and figure out how long it will take to get there? I know for me, it takes 60 steps for a 100 yards, and about 18 min to walk a mile.... can you please help and explain an easier way to get from point A to point B? If I want to walk a trail, how can I know for sure approximately how long will it take? I should be at this spot in xx amount of time. Thank you so much!!!! God Bless.
Thanks Deanna! I'm glad you liked and that much! Nope, I haven't made a video like that. Some things are easy to make understandable and some ain't. If I can made a good video on it I will. Thanks for watching and may God bless you too
This is a good video for sure. I had some compass training in the Scouts 40 years ago and some training in the state guard about 10 years ago. I have always been unsure whether to add or subtract the declination degrees. I got it now and appreciate your work here, its simple enough for a beginner and a good refresher for those who already know (or think they know). Thanks. By the way, when we were in the Scouts many of the Scoutmasters were veterans so when we went on a week long camp we had to have someone on guard all night in one hour shifts. You better know which tent your relief is in and where he is in the tent so you dont wake up the wrong person !
Thanks John, I'm glad you liked it. I was a scout leader myself, those were some great years! Sounds like you had some exciting scout trips too. Thanks for watching
Wow. That was an absolutely excellent explanation with enough detail for a comprehensive understanding of the physical compass. I’m pretty sharp with its use and can say for sure that anyone watching should easily be able to make sense of the compass’s operations. Nice job!! Thanks for creating this content and I will absolutely be passing this around!!! 👍🏻😎👍🏻
Thanks Scott! I'm glad you liked the way I did this. Thanks for watching my friend
I knew a lot of this back in my Boy Scout days but that was 50 or so yrs ago. I keep getting amazed how much I have forgotten.
The older I get the more I forget if I don't practice certain skills. Thanks for watching Perry
Watched a second time. This is the best video for understanding a compass when no one understands compasses anymore. I understood nothing except it points north before this.
I love hearing that brother! Im happy it helped.
You have covered a really complex topic extremely well. Your comment about carrying 2 compasses to give you confidence in the heading rather than mistrust the heading taken from 1 compass is an excellent idea. That exact piece of advice kept me from getting lost while traveling through unknown territory once. I would have sworn my compass had gone somehow wacko until I pulled out my second compass and it supported the heading I read on the first compass. That is likely a piece of advice the individual wouldn't have read in a book but you gave in this video. Excellent job on your part! Thank you for taking the time to do this video right. I know it was not easy to do so in a way that tied all the pieces together . . . but, you did it!
Thanks Bob! I can tell you speak from experience! A lot of folks think it cant happen but sometimes you question what a compass says. So its good to know for sure.
totally! I still have my two thirty year old Suunto orienteering compasses, in addition to the garmin tactix charlie and garmin handheld.
Thanks for the navigation video. You always make it easy to understand.
Man I really appreciate this video! I'm 54 years old and own a couple of compass and to be honest I hunt and fish and am a outdoor person not a city boy.. but I never actually knew how to use one! You explained it perfectly! And I'm not sure where you are from but I'm in western NC and you sound just like everyone I talk to
. I completely understood everything you said! Thanks again bro!
You are very welcome Tim and I'm glad you liked it! I live in North Georgia, we pretty much all sound the same down south. Lol, thanks for watching brother
I understand the compass a whole lot better now. Thanks for the video!!!!
Great to hear that Jamie!
Great video. You made a great description of how the declination constant works, and why.
A simple trick for getting that back sighting/azimuth, rather than messing up your compass settings, is to just read the white arrow. To your bearing, it is always 180 degrees off, so you will still know you are on line.
Another thing I like to point out with these kinds of videos:
"Make sure you are reading the compass, and not the needle.".
Many times I have found people do not understand this little point, and I can give examples (not necessary here).
The needle points north. That is all it does.
The compass itself, gives the direction/ azimuth/bearing you need to travel/identify.
From experience, 3 degrees can make quite a distance, over a mile. 1 degree can be the difference between finding and missing a point.
I'm glad you liked the video Gregg and you made some very good points!
thank you for the video that was extremely informative and helpful. things to remember: How to account for Magnetic declination when reading a map. 23:19. If it's a negative (--) West Declination then you have to go to magnetic declination website and add that amount to the degrees you see on the map. If you 're living in a place with Positive (+) East Declination then you have to go to magnetic declination website and subtract that amount from the degrees you see on the map.
Thanks for the comments and I'm glad you liked the video!
All the non important stuff we learn in school....this is a basic thing yet important thing to learn. I wish o had learned this in school. You'd be a good teacher. Very well explained.
Thank you Kitty!
I just watched this video and I learned more about how to read and navigate with a compass than ever before in my life, thank you so much. Bill
Great to hear that Bill! Thanks for watching
Great job Dave! This one is going on my Facebook 👍👍
Thanks brother!
Im an old guy who used to know these things. Never thought someone could teach me something that I thought I knew. You sir , are a excellent teacher. My Life Scout days were never this clear and precise. Keep making the tubes.
Great to hear that Bobby!
I 2nd that!
I watched this video when there were a few comments had to come back for a refresher course,for my grandson love the way you make it easier.keep those videos coming.
Thanks, I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for watching again!
In the Army I thought it was neat finding my position by getting the back azimuth off triangulation from two characteristic landmark features on the map with my lensatic compass. In the boyscouts our scout masters gave us sets of bearings and distances between different points - we went through the woods all manner of different directions - each group from different starting points. But with our directions we should all be able to meet up at the same spot. Well, on paper, it might look good. At the end we had scouts scattered all over a field - each claiming THIS is the spot! That's really good practice.
Triangulation is definitely a good skill to have! Thanks for the comments and thanks for watching
I started backpacking in 1971 and because of my Army training I knew how to use it. I met people in the high Sierra with a map, but no compass. They almost always asked just where they were on cloudy days when they couldn't tell which way was which and mountains in every direction and the trail covered up with snow. No GPS and you better carry a compass and a map.
Fantastic comment Jimmie. You just proved that theres a lot of ill prepared folks out there on the trail
Amazing Video David! Many thanks. Best to you, Sepp
Thanks! Im glad you liked it Sepp!
Thank you David! Coming from a person who wants to learn about reading a compass and had NO experience OR knowledge THIS is the video that i will be relying on to teach me. .i will watch this video over and over and over again until the knowledge is branded in my brain. Awesome video Sir thank you very much and God Bless!
You are very welcome Ray I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for watching and may God bless you too!
You brought back so much I had forgotten from my scouting days when I was taught this but didn't retain it. You did a great job I have retained more in this video than I did then from my Scoutmaster.
! That's fantastic to hear! I try my best to show things in as straightforward a way as possible. Thanks for watching
Dave, you did a superb job at explaining this! Good teacher.
Thanks Mike!
I used to navigate under water, 80 feet, using my compass. This is a very good video. Would like to see more about map reading. Former general aviation pilot.
Thank you my friend!
I've watched several videos on compass use. You did a great job. Much better than the rest. Thank you.
Thank you Kent!
Fine video. I watch it every couple of years for a refresher.
Fantastic to hear that my friend!
That's the best compas intruction video evner 👍
Thanks!
I just went to the parts store and bought bearings to keep in my pocket.... I've never lost them...... lol
Good job on the video....
Oh seriously, you just went there ?
LO-Phucking-L
StillNoCouch I couldn't help it... :)
@@GTNBY2 lol 😂 I laughed out loud and my dog jumped onto my lap!!
I did orienteering years ago when I was young, and I am an engineer's daughter, so I love this comment! 👍🏾😁
I could listen to this guy for hours... excellent video sir.
Thanks Joel, that's fantastic to hear that Brother!
Except for the little bit of Fuzzy ......This has been an excellent video. I can't believe how much I've just learnt. I'm 63 and looking forward to using my compass as it should be used. You are a great teacher. Thank you
Fantastic to hear that my friend! Good luck and have fun with it. Thanks for watching
I hit that thumbs up before the video started 👍👍
Thanks!
Me. too. Part way through it but early on. Great job of explaining how to read a compass. Clear as mud that's settled back to the bottom of the pond !
For as difficult as that seemed for you to piece it all together and then to explain it, you did a fantastic job! I never thought I would find the subject so interesting, but the truth is compasses have always frustrated me and fascinated me at the same time. I learned a great deal from you in this lesson. I wrote it all down and now I have to look for someone to share it all with. Great job! Thx!
Fantastic to hear that John! Now go and practice practice practice. Thanks for watching brother
Just stumbled upon this video and four years later and it is still a great video on how to use a compass.
Thank you John! I'm glad you liked it
Sounds like a good old Georgia boy to me. Damned good lesson!!! He’s sure right about 2! Was in a swamp one night and could not make myself believe my compass was right! Pulled out a backup and there is something about 2 saying the same thing puts your mind back on track! Hard to believe unless you’ve been there! Good show!
Thanks Dan, I'm glad you liked it. Very well said, in a lot of cases folks do not believe their compasses. Bring two and believe what they say! Thanks for watching
I've been studying "Be an Expert with Map & Compass" third edition by Bjorn Kjellstrom and I wanted to say thank you for your tutorial because your on point and easy to understand. And I agree learning to navigate by compass is complex but rewarding.
That's great to hear Cliff! Yep, compasses are complex to learn but the most amazing and useful tools out in the wilderness. Thanks for watching Cliff
Thank you. I've been trying to understand this for sometime. I started trail running and would like to do longer hikes. I use a compass for basic in and out hunting but not to use headings or destination points. Very helpful. I've wanted to use topo maps but never fully understood them. Your video has given me some confidence. Now all I have to do is out it into practice. Thank you again
You are very welcome Dennis! Now study, watch a few more in depth vids and practice practice practice!
BEST explanation on map and compass I've seen so far - even if a bit wobbly (since it can be so difficult to film), that was no big deal as you did an EXCELLENT job making it so much easier to follow, grasp and solidify the concepts in the noggin! Thanks so much.
Thanks! I'm glad you liked it that much!
That back bearing info was some priceless stuff. People need to know that being in the woods ain't like practicing orienteering in a city park so you better learn what Reallybig is laying down here. Them woods got lakes, hills, valleys, cliffs and a ton of other obstructions you better know how to deal with and still keep your heading. Nice job.
I gotta say, Well said! Thanks for watching Christopher!
A most excellent and informative video as always. One thing i think for people new to learning to use one is all the junk ones out there because there is so many of them.. n that can definitely mess you up.
If college professors could communicate an idea this well the world would be a better place. I am impressed! Great video!
Thanks Joe, I'm glad you liked it. that much! Thanks for watching
Absolutely Great info! I'm gonna teach all my grandchildren off of this video... thanks bud!
Fantastic to hear that my friend!
For a simple guy I understood, thanks for the video, I can get lost in my backyard so this will really help. Ty.
I'm happy you liked it Dave
Thank you for such an interesting and informative lecture on how to use a compass as I have never used one and your explanation is more than adequate and easy-to-remember. I just realized that all the points on the compass that are part of the 8-star coordinates equal to the number 9 if you add all numbers separately. Except for the True North point at 0, 45-degrees at NE is 4 +5=9. E at 90 degrees is 9+0=9. SE at 135 is 1+3+5=9. S at 180 degrees is 1+8+0=9. SW at 225 degrees is 2+2+5=9. W at 270 degrees is 2+7=9. NW at 315 degrees is 3+1+5=9. The compass is one of those mystical number sequences that appears to have an internal grand design based on the number nine. I saw once a video on how Tesla claimed that the numbers 3/6/9 have highly significance and I think I will watch that video now. I never thought about this until I watched your video and how you so well broke down the directions and declination and all that good stuff, which brought me to thinking about higher mathematics.
Thanks, I'm glad you liked it and thanks for the comments! Navigation and math are heavily related
This is the Dave Pearson draw my life video we've been waiting for! Haha!
On a serious note though, this video had been the most helpful I've seen. Coalcracker bushcraft uploaded a video recently about compasses and it just went right over my head. I guess I require a lot of explanation to get it through my thick skull lol. I watched the other video you posted and it had good info too. It's got me to thinking that I need to get me a good one or two now as well.
Have done some compass courses as a part of an outdoor survival class in college and wanted to make sure I still understood how everything works. Great refresher!
I'm glad you liked it Alexander! Thanks for the comments and thanks for watching
I got lost several times in the woods, mainly because the sun was in one direction before I took a nap. Then when I woke up I followed the sun and found it moved and got me lost. I was young back then.
Now I will check what side of the road I am on before I go into the woods, so I know what reading I need to follow to find the road.
Now that I trap problem beaver for tree farms I use a Garmin hunting GPS with property lines installed. This way I can put in a waypoint. Take a photo of the screen and text the land owner to show him the area I trapped and send photos of the beaver I caught there. Works pretty good and makes it easy to make a bee line back to the truck.
Compass or GPS, it's very important to know where you are and how to get out. Getting lost, makes you look pretty dumb, even though it happens to everyone sooner or later.
Thanks for the comments! Sometimes getting lost is good because it's teaches the importance of having navigational aides. Thanks for watching
@@Reallybigmonkey1Yes it does, always liked your advice and presentations.
Also I use to be Parrotbill when I did bird shows. Now I'm Tally Beaverman, so I have been a fan of yours a very long time.
@@tallybeaverman9462 I remember that name!
Gonna watch this as soon as we get settled at home. We want to learn more about using a compass and useful tips. We liked your other video on it.
Thanks, watch when you can my friend
not too hard to grasp the use of the compass, now to watch it over again for teaching my grand kids when we hit the wilds. Appreciate all the help.