HOW TO USE A COMPASS WITH A MAP By SUUNTO
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A)   Place the compass on the map so that the long edge connects the starting point with the desired destination.


B)   Make sure that the direction arrows are pointing from the starting point to the place of destination (and not the opposite way).


C)   At this point, you may want to use the scales on your compass (if available) to determine the distance you need to travel.

                  

  A)   Hold the compass firm on the map in order to keep the base plate steady.

B)   Turn the rotating capsule until the North - South lines on the bottom of the capsule are parallel with the North-South lines on the map.

C)   Be sure that the North-South arrow on the bottom of the capsules points to the same direction as North on the map.

  A)   Hold the compass in your hand in front of you. Make sure the base plate is in a horizontal position, and that the direction arrows are point straight ahead.

B)   Rotate your body until the North-South arrow on the bottom of the capsule lines up with the magnetic needle, and the red end of the needle points in the same direction as the arrow

C)   The directional arrows on the base plate now show your desired travel direction.

 

WHAT IS A GLOBAL NEEDLE?  

Before you can fully understand a "Global Needle", you must understand a few basic principles of a compass.  In order to get an accurate reading from a compass, the compass needle needs to be "balanced" in the capsule, so it does not drag on the top or bottom of the capsule.  But, because the horizontal and vertical components of the earth's magnetic field vary considerably in different locations, a compass needle that "balances" perfect in North America will drag or stick in South America.  As a result of these magnetic variances, the compass industry has divided the earth into 5 "zones", as identified in the map below.  All of the standard compasses sold at The Compass Store are balanced for zone 1 (since most of our sales are in North America).

However, Suunto has developed a patented Global Needle that will perform perfectly with needle tilts of up to 20 degrees.  This allows a single compass to be used effectively in all 5 of the earth's zones (see below).  So when we say that a compass is outfitted with a Global Needle for true world-wide performance, now you know what we mean.