How Does A Compass Work?

Steve — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:50:12 +0000

A compass is an extremely simple device. The needle of a compass is a freely rotating magnet balanced on a nearly frictionless pivot point. The painted end is the north (magnetic) pole of the needle which is attracted by the weak magnetic field of the earth to allign itself in a northerly direction. The area to which it points is called the North Magnetic Pole which is close to, but not exactly at geographic North Pole.

The North Magnetic Pole has slowly changed position throughout history, roughly orbiting the actual pole and continues to do so. Interestingly, what we call Earth’s North Magnetic pole is actually a south pole magnetically. That is why the opposite (north) magnetic pole of the compass needle is drawn to it. Opposite poles attract, similar poles repel each other.

In operation, line the north symbol on the rim of the compass with the painted tip of the needle. The direction you are facing should now be displayed at the front of the compass.

Nomad V2 Digital Compass

Our newest digital compass offers easy navigation with the push of a button. Find your way with the help of this forward and reverse bearing compass. Not only does it navigate it informs. Get current temperature readings, time and date and daily alar…

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Pioneer Floating Compass

Measures 2 1/2″ x 2 3/4″. Black plastic construction. Features 2″ graduations, declination scale, inch/mm scale. Protective cover with lensatic sighting system.

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Nexus Compass

Measures 3″ x 2″. Clear acrylic construction. Features 2 degree graduations, declination scale, inch/mm scale, lanyard.

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Classic Compass

Measures 3 1/2 in. x 2 1/2 in.. Features 2 in. graduations, declination adjustment, 0-35 degree inclination scale, inch/mm scale.

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Lensatic Compass

Measures 3 in. x 2 in. x 1 in.. Black plastic construction. Features five graduations, luminous points, lensatic sighting.

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Eclipse Compass with Base

Compass measures 4 1/2 in. x 2 1/2 in.. Clear acrylic construction. Features in.circle over circle in. alignment system, magnified read out, 1 degree graduations, lanyard with safety whistle cap, pocket clip, USGS map scale 1:24k, UTM, declination a…

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Eclipse Compass Kit

Compass measures 4 in. x 2 1/2 in.. Clear acrylic construction. Features in.circle over circle in. alignment system, magnified read out, 1 degree graduations, field reference cards, three inclinometer systems, USGS map scale 1:24k, ft., UTM, declina…

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Buy A Cheap Compass

Steve — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 20:45:26 +0000

Long before GPS satellites and other high-tech navigational aids, the compass gave humans an easy and inexpensive way to orient themselves.
One of the earliest man-made navigation tools was the mariner’s compass, an early form of the magnetic compass (c.13th Century). Initially used only when the weather obscured the sun or the North Star, these first compasses were very crude. The navigator would rub an iron needle against a lodestone, stick it in a piece of straw and float it in a bowl of water. The needle would point in a northerly direction.

No matter where you stand on Earth, you can hold a compass in your hand and it will point toward the North Pole. What an unbelievably neat and amazing thing! Imagine that you are in the middle of the ocean, and you are looking all around you in every direction and all you can see is water, and it is overcast so you cannot see the sun… How in the world would you know which way to go unless you had a compass to tell you which way is “up”?

Get out of the dark ages! The compasses and digital compasses below are accurate, rugged, and reliable.

Buy a cheap compass today!

Classic Compass Measures 3 1/2 in. x 2 1/2 in.. Features 2 in. graduations, declination adjustment, 0-35 degree incl… List Price: $17.95 Our Price: $14.97 You Save: $2.98 (17%)	Lensatic Compass Measures 3 in. x 2 in. x 1 in.. Black plastic construction. Features five graduations, luminous poin… List Price: $17.95 Our Price: $14.97 You Save: $2.98 (17%)	Eclipse Compass with Base Compass measures 4 1/2 in. x 2 1/2 in.. Clear acrylic construction. Features in.circle over circle … List Price: $45.95 Our Price: $37.97 You Save: $7.98 (17%)
Eclipse Compass Kit Compass measures 4 in. x 2 1/2 in.. Clear acrylic construction. Features in.circle over circle in. … List Price: $106.95 Our Price: $79.97 You Save: $26.98 (25%)

Essential Survival Gear Blog » Northerly Direction

How Does A Compass Work?

Buy A Cheap Compass