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Maps are oriented toward geographic, or "true," north (the North Pole), but compass needles point to magnetic north, a place that wanders slowly within the Canadian Arctic. The difference in angle is called magnetic declination, and it varies from 21 degrees west in Maine to 26 degrees east in Alaska. That's why you should buy a compass with adjustable declination and set it properly.
Originally posted by SeenMyShare
How accurate would that remain if magnetic north (where the pointer aims) travels to the north east at 40 miles per year? Wouldn't that make the map off a bit more every year?
How to Align Your Compass
Maps are oriented toward geographic, or "true," north (the North Pole), but compass needles point to magnetic north, a place that wanders slowly within the Canadian Arctic. The difference in angle is called magnetic declination, and it varies from 21 degrees west in Maine to 26 degrees east in Alaska. That's why you should buy a compass with adjustable declination and set it properly.edit on 5/2/2011 by SeenMyShare because: (no reason given)
Originally posted by spy66
You usually never walk in a straight line because of the terrain. So you have to make corrections all the time. You really dont even need a compass to be able to navigate with a map. All you really need is the terrain.
Originally posted by the_0bserver85
I mean for the majority .... people who dont know ATS or survival skills.