I explain here the parts of a compass that you should know, and I tell you in detail how to identify each one!
Before starting the post, I recommend that you take a look at the previous one: What is it a compass and what it is for.
A compass has a magnetic needle and… what else?
The 7 parts of a common compass:
#1 Magnetic needle: Rotates in the compass housing, indicating north with the red tip and with the other the south.
#2 Base plate: Made of transparent plastic, it surrounds the rest of the compass. It allows you to support it on the cartographic maps.
#3 Direction arrow: It is drawn on the base plate and indicates the direction of heading.
#4 Housing: Transparent plastic circle that protects the compass needle.
#5 Degree Dial: Rotating ring that shows the 360 degrees of the circle and indicates the four cardinal points< /a>: north, south, east and west.
#6 Orientation Arrow: Non-magnetic arrow drawn on the housing.
#7 Orientation lines: Drawn parallel to the orientation arrow.
Do you prefer to see it on video? Perfect!
Scalimeter: To make topographic maps that indicate the scales indicated in meters.
Azimuth hair: This is a hole that allows you to focus on objects at a distance and obtain the position in degrees.
Magnifying glass, level and clinometer: This element indicates the inclination of the geological terrain.
The 3 most used types of compass:
️ Parts of a cartographic compass:
The compass is used together with a cartographic map. It must be transparent, so you can see the map through it.
#1 Magnetic needle: Mark the magnetic north.
#2 Rotating limb: Circle with 360 degree measurement.
#3 North Arrow: Arrow that points north on the rotating limb.
#4 Auxiliary lines: They are used to use map meridians and are inside the limb and parallel to each other and to the north arrow.
#5 Direction mark: Arrow that indicates our direction.
#6 Transparent base: Allows you to read the map through it.
#7 Scalemeters: Special rules for measuring distances on maps at various scales.
Parts of a military or lensatic compass:
The military or marching compass is used above all to mark courses to distant points. They are the most precise.
#1 Floating blade with magnetic needle: The magnetic needle is integrated on the floating limb that will indicate the orientation in sexagesimal degrees, millesimal degrees and artillery thousandths.
#2 Movable toothed crown: Circle independent of the limbus with 120 teeth or marks. Each mark is equivalent to 3º, so the 120 marks complete the 360º of the crown.
#3 Fixed luminous mark: Mark that determines our course.
#4 Wire and rear sight: Allow you to aim at the target in the most precise way.
#5 Magnifying glass: To see the degrees of our heading in limbo.
#6 Moving Luminous Marks: For using the compass in low light.
Parts of a finger compass:
Simpler compass, but widely used in mountain sports and orienteering races. They allow them to be held only with the thumb and using it with the map define the direction.
Other types of compass:
There are some modified variants of compasses, such as nautical compasses adaptable to a boat or kayak. This is usually embedded in the command center of the Boat and includes a floating limb with sufficient precision, also pointing out the cardinal points.
Do you want to try this compass on your mobile?
Now you can use a compass on your phone and see the parts as you move.