Thread: Navigation

Originally Posted by Twodiffs

This is probably gonna sound like a stupid question but when using NZtopo50 on my phone should I have the compass set to true north or magnetic north?.

I've just been playing with the phone app, a compass and my Garmin and I was getting a discrepancy with the compass.
I've changed the settings on the other two to magnetic nth and now they align.Attachment 268946

Attachment 268947

If using with a manual compass then use magnetic north and all your bearings will align without the need to do math.

I taught map and compass for years as a Ranger just stuck to magnetic - more emphasis on aligning one to the map you have - catchments peaks things one can recognise like a bluff waterfall large flat etc never over complicating it - true virgins make dull company has been taught for years

True = your compass course of your map
virgins = variation movement of magnetic North
make = magnetic compass direction
dull = deviaition error in a compass due to metal interference ( only general can be wiring say on a boat )
compass = your course once variation and deviation have been calculated

but for simple bush navigation just stick to magnetic

North with a watch point 12 at the sun North is half way from 12 to the hour hand -- digital just imagine a 12 point face with 12 at top all you really need is the time

Cool thanks Barry the hunter, that's the info I was after

It's the way point issue that threw me, I want to mark spots for wallows and a couple of game cameras, I'll have a play in the domain tomorrow and I expect it'll be on point this time.