How Many Actually Use Your Compass?

k9th · Post by **k9th** » Sat Oct 23, 2010 8:42 pm

I was wondering how many of you actually use your compass for navigation? In our day and age of technology where we have GPS technology I was wondering if people really use their compass.

I readily admit I don't use it much. If I am on a long cruise across the lake where I will go beyond the sight of land I will check it and establish a compass heading to my destination in case the GPS fails. I also have a backup GPS on board and can't imagine they would both fail at the same time; but I nevertheless establish a compass heading. Probably another throw back to my flying days before GPS and Loran were available.

Do you use your compass and if so how extensively and for what specific purposes?

alexander38 · Post by **alexander38** » Sat Oct 23, 2010 9:23 pm

Use mine much the same way .

Danny Bailey · Post by **Danny Bailey** » Sat Oct 23, 2010 10:22 pm

I use mine when out of sight of land and navigating on the GPS to maintain a steady course. It's real hard to run a straight line by GPS as there is a little delay in showing you off course.

Peter · Post by **Peter** » Sat Oct 23, 2010 10:53 pm

glance at it occasionally,could navigate with it in an emergency,have 2 gps' on the fly bridge,and a hand held back up to my back up mounted on the inside steering station....

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Sat Oct 23, 2010 11:07 pm

I use it to run and stay on course .

summer storm · Post by **summer storm** » Sat Oct 23, 2010 11:27 pm

Mine never works right, every time I stop it quits working. No wait a minute that's my GPS. I guess I would use my compass the second the GPS stops working. I do though have my compass swung every 2 years or when I install something new at the helm. I also have the compass card ready at the helm as well.

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Sat Oct 23, 2010 11:54 pm

I use mine often simply to remain comfortable with using it. In the fog with the GPS out is not the best time to have to get reacquainted with it. I used to do the same with my LORAN until they discontinued it this year.

I also use the GPS to calibrate the compass.

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Sun Oct 24, 2010 2:56 am

My compass is an integral part of my primitive auto-pilot system

(eyes, compass, brain and arms)

for offshore alignment while running or trolling.

Its easier to watch than the GPS.

foofer b · Post by **foofer b** » Sun Oct 24, 2010 6:10 am

Is that what that little spinny thing is for?

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Sun Oct 24, 2010 8:17 am

spinny thing ?? LOL reminds me of a boat a old Friend built , it was a center console with inboard . the console was just above the rear of the engine . And the compass ended up above the distributor when you started it up the the compass started spinning .

k9th · Post by **k9th** » Sun Oct 24, 2010 8:20 am

You guys are a riot! Where else can you get this much entertainment and comedy for free just by asking a question?

MattSC · Post by **MattSC** » Sun Oct 24, 2010 9:56 am

I always use it in conjunction with the gps and radar to cross check and make sure they are all functioning properly. When on a trip I also use a stopwatch to mark the time when I pass a waypoint

randyp · Post by **randyp** » Sun Oct 24, 2010 10:03 am

Very seldom use the compass, since we're on a big lake and all the courses I've plotted are on the GPS. But in my former sailboat days I did plot race courses using a compass rose and parallel rule and then used the bulkhead compass extensively. I also have the courses in the GPS plotted on the lake's chart and can use the compass if necessary (only likely scenario would be in fog or at night if the GPS konked out). I've had experience with compass and map from my old scoutmaster days when we'd take the kids out to the Adirondacks and do some orienteering. Took my son out one day to help him with his merit badge and we both got "lost" in the woods behind our house using a compass and topo map. Learned a lot from that experience. GPS is great but if you lose a signal or power you're toast. Not as likely on the water, but in the woods it can happen often (losing signal). Holy s--t, I'm rambling on way too much!!!

mickeydd · Post by **mickeydd** » Sun Oct 24, 2010 11:48 am

Compass? What compass, I thought it was a clock........lol
Mickey

wowzer52 · Post by **wowzer52** » Sun Oct 24, 2010 12:17 pm

Is that one of those things that has a little needle that moves when the weather changes?.... I'm still laughing about the Trojan BOY stuck in an old mans body.