Liquid compass: description, instruction

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

In the era of GPS and GLONASS, tourists sometimes forget about the existence of a map and a compass. But you need to understand that various kinds of receivers cannot completely replace them, because any gadget requires a battery and a satellite signal to work. In order to determine the cardinal points and understand the current positioning, a topographic map and a compass are indispensable tools in the wilderness. Going on long hikes armed with nothing but high-tech battery-powered gadgets is not the best idea, so do not discount the "old" navigation devices.

The liquid compass will help you find the right objects, determine your location and orient yourself on the map. Of course, you can travel for a while in the wilderness and never even look at it, but if you turn the wrong way or get caught in a storm, the compass, along with the map, will be the most important things in your backpack.

The ability to navigate the terrain and correctly determine the cardinal points is the most important skill for a tourist, and if your path lies far from the roads, then without it you justyou will be lost. If you are not confident in yourself, then it is better to take with you on a trip, if not a guide, then at least a knowledgeable person who will tell you and teach you the intricacies of navigation.

Let's try to figure out how to choose a compass, let's designate the types and components of these devices. The opinions of serious experts in this field and reviews of professional orienteering instructors will be taken into account.

Types of liquid compasses

Unlike digital models, liquid devices have a compass needle that is magnetized and works in tandem with the earth's magnetic field. The case is completely filled with liquid in order to give the arrow stability and proper reading accuracy. Consider the main types of compasses.

Basic Models

For beginner hikers and daytime adventurers, this is a relatively inexpensive and optimal choice. If you stick to the routes and do not climb into the thicket, then the basic tourist compass will be a great travel assistant.

These devices have a set of essential components that a tourist may need, but lack some additional chips like mirrors and deflection adjustments. A striking example of basic compasses is the Suunto A10 model - a smart and inexpensive little thing.

Multifunction devices

Multifunctional liquid compass is a model with an impressive set of additional features. They greatly facilitate navigation on the ground and have increased accuracy. Equipped with mirrors, magnifying glasses,timers, etc.

The model range of this kind of devices is distinguished by a high price, it makes sense to buy them only if you regularly travel in the wilderness and move away from waypoints. One of the most interesting models of this kind is the Silva Ranger CL liquid compass.

Devices-accessories

This species is very often seen on key chains, on wristwatches or as small round compasses without a special backing. They do a decent job of pointing to magnetic north, but most of them are for quick data and fun.

It is impossible to use a liquid compass of this type for serious orientation, therefore it is highly not recommended to leave waypoints with such equipment. The range of such accessories is very wide, but among the majority one can single out a very successful and intelligently assembled REI Therm-o series. The instruction manual for the liquid compass for these models explicitly warns that using only this accessory away from tourist routes is dangerous and unacceptable.

Component parts of the device

Travelers use an "orientation" or "background" when determining coordinates on the ground using a compass. "Orientation" is a measure of your exact position, while "navigation" is the process itself that determines your final destination and the route to get there.

In order for everything to work asit is necessary, each compass model must have the components described below. If your device does not have any of these parts, then you should not go on a long trip with it.

Magnetic needle

This is a normal pivot element, usually a diamond type with a red end. The pointer points to the strongest magnetic field (the north pole). Real north, where all lines of longitude converge, is slightly different from magnetic north. The latter is located in the part of the Arctic near the chains of the Canadian Islands, that is, the difference is about 1600 kilometers.

Therefore, when working with a map on the ground, you need to take into account and compensate for the difference between magnetic and real north. In central Russia, this figure is insignificant, but in professional tourist competitions it must be taken into account if you use a non-digital compass (liquid). How to use the device, it is said in the instruction manual, there you can also find specific error indicators.

Liquid

The dial or the case itself, where the arrow is located, is filled with shock-absorbing liquid. This non-freezing composition allows you to slightly slow down the inertia of the arrow and stops it at the desired indicators much faster than in similar devices filled with air.

In severe winter or at high altitude, the liquid begins to shrink under the influence of temperature and pressure, filling the case with small bubbles. There is no need to be afraid of such an effect, because this does not affect the accuracy of the readings at all. If you return to a more favorableWednesday, then the bubbles will simply disappear after a while, as if they were not there at all.

Azimuthal ring

This is a rotating bezel on the compass case marked with degrees from 0 to 360, respectively. Professionals advise choosing a device where the step on the azimuth ring would be no more than two units.

The bezel surrounds the outer edge of the compass and the smaller the step interval, the easier it is to work with the bearing or bearing, that is, the direction you want to follow (the angle relative to the north pole).

Substrate with ruler

The substrate has a transparent rectangular base, where a special capsule is placed. Intelligent and expensive devices are equipped with high-quality rulers in centimeters or inches in the form of an engraving on the substrate.

Both of these attributes are indispensable when measuring distances on topographic maps. When buying, be sure to pay attention to the scale and take the device with your usual division, that is, a step and a ruler (inch / centimeter). Standard topographic maps have a scale of 1 to 24000 (for geological surveys) and 1 to 25000 (tourist).

Orienting meridian lines

North-south lines, meridian parallels and a fixed orienting arrow are located at the bottom of the device. The non-magnetic end of the arrow is marked in red, as are the meridian lines. In order to correlate the compass with the topographic map, it is necessary to align the directions of north and south onyour device.

Index marker

The index line or direction marker is located at the bottom of the device capsule. With this point you can determine or set your current reading. It is desirable that the marker has a clear color, and the dot itself is engraved.

Summing up

Can GPS and GLONASS receivers replace conventional liquid compass? Probably not. They are complementary tools. The compass has one indisputable advantage that any satellite receiver lacks - it shows the direction of magnetic north.

Of course, any GPS travel gadget is equipped with an electronic compass, but like all electrical devices, they need power, and the battery can run out, leaving you without navigation. In any case, armed with even the latest developments for travelers, do not forget to throw an ordinary compass in your pocket: it takes up a minimum of space, and there will be a maximum of benefits from it, if anything.