Digital Compass
A compass is any magnetically sensitive device capable of indicating the direction of the magnetic north of a planet’s magnetosphere. The compass is based on a sensitive, magnetic measuring element. The white triangle in the inner ring of the watch shows the direction of the watch. In the COMPASS function in the middle of the display the current time is shown in large numbers. Above this there is a display of the directions in degrees (0–359°), below this the direction of the watch, abbreviated in the 4 directions (N, S, W, E), as well as the 4 in between directions.
The compass is very stable in areas close to the equator, which is far from “Magnetic North”. As the compass is moved closer and closer to one of the Magnetic Poles of the Earth, the compass becomes more sensitive to crossing the magetic field lines of the Earth. At some point close to the Magnetic Pole the compass will not indicate any particular direction but will begin to drift in a non direction indicating manner. Also, it starts to point up or down when getting closer to the poles, due to the so-called magnetic inclination.
Applications of the Compass
Check your position by Backward Bearing Directions.
- Spot two distant identifiable landmarks such as mountains, light house, fort and building of your current position, for example the mountain A and B.
- Check out the backward bearing directions of mountain A and B of your current position, such as 135° from mountain A and 270° from mountain B.
- Use a ruler to draw the line 135 on the map which starting from the mountain A. Draw the lines 270 on the map which starting from the mountain B.
- Your current position on map will be the intersection point (point A) of the lines 135° and 270°
Check The Trek Course Correct
- During the trekking, the watch can keep your course correct. For example, the correct trail stars from point A and finishes at point E as it is drown on the adjacent map.
- Mark the point (identifiable landmarks) where the trail turns its direction or the trail branches its way, such as the point A,B,C,D and E on the adjacent map.
- Find out the bearing directions of point B from point A (315°), point C from point B(0°), point D from point C (225 °), and then point E from point D (315°)
- During he trekking, make sure that the heading direction is 315° from point A to point B. Performing the similar checking in other sections of the trail.
