Eight years in the Marine Corps 68 to 76 before GPS and a year in Vietnam that's how we traveled through the jungle day or night. The man speaks the truth so all you gadget guys might want to learn how to use said instrument.
i grew up with a Captain in the Marines he helped me get ready to join and taught me how to shoot and all i would need to know, he was going to go with me when i was going to sign the papers. but one day i was training in wrestling i was hit on side of knee, and well that did it i was never going to be able join now or any time in future, i was to have surgery on my knee. so i lost out on that dream so that you for your service to our Country. And to Captain David Berkman, i miss his company and his laugh we moved.
STOKERMATIC.......outstanding video that everyone should learn. I spent four years in the airborne infantry and navigated my way around Vietnam with a map and compass in the jungles, mountains, and rice paddies. Called in air strikes and artillery on the enemy with a fair degree of accuracy and survived my tour of duty. Before that I navigated jungle expert school in Panama that had jungles worse than Nam.....all with a lensatic compass and topo map. You've done a great job in your video and I say.......continue to march! Thanks, a Vietnam vet '67-'68 101st Airborne Div.
I was in the Army, and it took them hours to explain what you did in just a few minutes. You made it so simple and the Army needs to hire you. Thank You!
@@STOKERMATIC Without much explanation, Thank You! I was a US Army Ranger, we knew that we could not do what we did without the full efforts of "all" of our comrades in arms! Our group always gave a moment of silence to honor them.
Excellent! as a retired Army guy (25 years retired), It is nice to see and hear someone who understands Land Navigation. You are currently former or still military, land nav and "as you were" slips. Simple concise and to the point... good job. I still carry my military issued compass from years past every hunting season, even in the digital age.
Holy hell... better than any nco has ever taught me how to use a damn compass in 2 years. No fancy talk, no fancy crap. Learned more in 10 mins than a 4 hour course... thanks!
Thanks! If your interested, check out the other ones in my FieldCraft or Amrit playlist. If anything comes to mind that you would be interested in seeing done, let me know. Stoker
yeah the nco has a lot of time so he tries to give you more than a basic information but this man needs to be as simple as possible thats why he is better
@Skarwind, Doubt if it changed since I've been in. Not bad mouthing military, but so many of these drill sergeants, sergeants, officers etc.... are not to bright. In most work places if they managed those businesses or companies like they do in military, 99.9% of them would be fired on the spot, or probably never would had been hired. Not to mention so much waste of money in military, on how and what they spend our money on, with so many other things, which lots of it is not necessary. They could use lots of that extra money to pay our military service members more money and or better training on other things like this. But can go on and on with that topic.
You can also lock the floating plate (dial) by closing the sighting lens down, for easier reading. you can charge the night sights with a flash light. you can count clicks (when it's dark) and multiply it by three to find your orientation. Nice tutorial. Thanks
Great tips! Though I think I mentioned a couple of them in this or other vids, I don’t think I’ve mentioned how closing the sighting lens down will lock the azimuth, it’s a cool trick. Thanks for the great comments!
Yes. The black ring on top of the azimuth has a dot and line indicator that will glowing if you give them some light. Turning it makes some clicking sounds and helps to count by mils (6400mil = 360 degree) each click is 3 mils. At night, that helps your reading.
EL Cucuy Totally! I agree. I struggled with Land Nav in the Army because no one explained it this clearly. Maybe that’s because the cadre were trying to teach too many people at once in too short of time.
I was Army special forces, no worries to all you marines out there, I won't hold that against you. lol.. I lived in the woods many many months with just the compass. My grandson is also Army and he tells me they don't teach much of the compass anymore. I think everyone should know how to use it. This is the best video I have ever seen for clarity, thank you very much Stokermatic.
Appreciate your service Harley! Bet you’ve got some great stories. We teach map and compass a few times in institutional schools - and a few of us teach it in regular units. I’m a dinosaur guess. Lol Stoker
@@STOKERMATIC I don't think you are a dinosaur Stoker, I think you are a realist, I think the military has gotten lazy. My Grandson also tells me they aren't allowed to cuss and scream at them. I mean what is that.
That's where we learn it here in Scandinavia ;) I'ts called "orientering" or orientation. We learn to read maps with compasses and then go out in the woods to find markers using what we learned. We stamp our "tickets" at the locations as proof we found the right markers. Meanwhile our gym teacher sits back at his office sipping coffee with donuts and wait for his students. We called him "Bullen" which literally translates to donut or pastry...good times
@@VahidCullsberg That sounds like a ton of fun. Here in the states, PE is more or less a joke. Usually we gather in a gym, take attendance, then the PE teacher/coach just hands out basketballs then goes into their office.
Ronald 240Bravo I got lost driving when I was younger. It was really upsetting for me. Before there were gps and i didn’t know how to read a map. After three hours of driving, I pulled into an office building some where and walked in for help absolutely beside myself. I saw a lady there and I over heard her say to another lady she was driving to my college. She asked me why I looked so upset and I told her I was lost for hours and out of luck she was driving to my college and I knew how to get home from there so I just followed her over to my college and then drove home. Then afterword I learned how to read a map. I dont know how to use a compass though... yet.
As a kid in the Boy Scouts I was lucky to have the parent of another scout who was a Marine Sergeant who taught map and compass. This is a great refresher.
Thanks for the refresher. I am a veteran and it has been years since I have used a lensatic compass. I really appreciate you taking the time time to explain it.
I'm in the same boat used in marine corp and recently had 2 brain surgeries, got my lensatic out as if I have never used it, time to re learn thanks nam great video
Now this is what I call simplified how to with a tool that is so confusing to myriads of people. Thank you! You did a great job simplifying the compass. Keep up the great works...
I got a brand new Cammenga 3H off eBay and it came without a box, packaging or instructions but I worked out everything you said there, especially the sighting method where you angle the top cover by 45 deg approx. But then again, my previous compass was a British WF Stanley & Sons Prismatic Marching Compass, the compass that conquered an Empire! Even though the Cammenga is not liquid damped, it is remarkably stable, very accurate and easy to use. Pretty bombproof and very good value for money
Pretty much worked how I thought. Spent a whole lot of time in the woods but never used one, at least properly. Would def use one in unfamiliar woods/places. I think the military Jargon that goes along with navigation throws a lot of people off (not you, just in general). I appreciate it!
Been an outdoorsman fishing trapping hunting, at home never needed a compass till I started truck driving getting fishing license for me and my wife is a day or two and go hiking so got my first one static compass have learned how to use it from this video excellent video ,, great teachings,, I subscribed !
I'm reading a DLC Land Nav course for the Army, and it's driving me crazy. This simple video made more sense to me than in the hour or so I've spent reading through this course.
Excellent explanation. It is of the utmost importance to ensure that the lensantic compass stays level so that the north seeking arrow plate card moves freely. If it is not level, the floating plate will jam against the casing while pointing at the wrong direction. As a tenderfoot scout I made that mistake on an orienteering camporee where it was not permitted to look up, only downwards to the compass. A standard compass is less forgiving to leveling errors than a lensantic one. Be Prepared.
I got lost in Kowloon Hong Kong way past midnight on my own - knowing this much got me home safe. Show this video to anyone you know who likes to travel - a decent compass and this video will keep them out o trouble. Well done Stokermatic.
Thanks for the lesson. It was very easy to understand. I just bought that same compass today at Cabelas. It wasn't cheap, but as they say, you get what you pay for. I'm in the process of making a gotta go bag with survival equipment just incase the 💩💩💩 hits the fan with everything that's going on. Got a few more things to get and I'll be ready to hit the woods if needed. Thanks again for the video. Good stuff.👍
I just ordered a Camenga lensatic Tritium myself. I have a Luminox Tritium watch and so far it's illumination has lasted 16 yrs, if i'am not mistaking, Luminox says it can illuminate 25 yrs but they guarantee 12 yrs. Great review, simple, to the point. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.🇺🇸✌️
Eric, sounds like a great watch! It’s true that the tritium will last that long - anything past the half life and it’ll be hit or miss. Glad to hear your watch was a hit!
I like this short and simple simple tutorial on how to use a Lensatic compass. That in itself is probably a couple hours of classroom instruction in Basic training. Not to be confused with actual land navigation which would definitely require a lot more instruction. This will at least get you going in the right direction.
Thank you you broke it down as simple as it can be. I haven’t picked up one of these since I left the Corp. But I just purchased a brand new one and can’t wait to go out and do some navigating. Thank you again and Semper fi
Great video. Learned that method (bezel to N arrow alignment) method from a Vietnam vet NCO in PLDC in ‘83. Came in especially handy during nighttime movement and night land nav. Another great NCO in USAEUR taught our platoon to determine or estimate our pace count in three levels of terrain. 1. Flat ground 2. Going up a hill and 3. Coming down a hill. Each terrain difference affects your pace count (as well as the gear weight you carry ruckin’). Then later on in my Mil life I got good and taught field expedient methods of land nav (day/night). Fun stuff !!! Thanks for the memories !!! Peace !!!
I love the vid. The info is great, and all of it made sense. Please please please, never change your style of delivery. The slips, the un-slick approach is truly wonderful. It shows you are human. Best wishes, Dave in Yorkshire, England.
Dave, thanks brother! I hope if you check out a more recent video, you'll see the same - but maybe a little more refined. But I do try to bring myself to the table. It either resonates, or it doesn't. Hope all is well in Yorkshire friend! Stay Stoked!
Glad it helped. Hope the other ones in the fieldcraft playlist do as well. Any questions or concerns don’t hesitate to let me know. Thanks for watching!
Excellent instructional......clear, understandable, complete and precise.....wasn't left with a single question in my mind.......got me sub'd! You're a rare breed in that you can teach what needs to be taught.....respect!
I see you gave a good basic use of compass lesson as we were taught in the military. We did go farther with this and were also taught how to use the compass with a map in order to find the final destination and to navigate with it. Being in the Navy I was also taught how to use the compass to make sure that I could follow a course to a given spot. I have not used the ocean direction training for many years now and will need to relearn that issue again.
Dale, I appreciate you sharing some time and thoughts with us here. It's great to have you. Thank you for your service! I've received and given several blocks of instruction on Land Navigation as well (former Marine and current Army First Sergeant). Stoker
I always make sure i know what heading i need to get from my hunting treestand back to civilization in the dark after i climb out of my tree. Been using a cheap compass but finally got my Cammenga 3H in today !!! Thanks for the video, been 35 years since i used one of these in the military.
The best demonstration.. Just like when I was in Fort Knox basic training.. Quick simple and easy.. Thank you Sir.. You got to the point from the beginning. I needed a refresher course and I found it... Hello from TEXAS USA 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Going through Army BCT in 1969, Ft Dix, NJ, we were not taught the use of a compass. At Ft Knox for AIT, 11D, Armor Recon Specialist training, (housed at the then-new Disney barracks) is where we learned compass navigation. Our qualification was done at night at the Mount Eden North Base Camp. Pitch black darkness, with no maps. We all managed to qualify but it was a total cluster fuck! LOL Thanks for the refresher course, (now I have to dig out my lensatic compass and practice a little). p.s. That Army training gave me a good running start for compass navigation while I was getting my pilots license!
Great video, but I might add as a newbie with compasses: For anyone (esle) wandering, since this video "was directed at beginners". I had to search google using voice to text to figure out what an "azimuth" was. I had Asthma related content popup as if I needed an inhaler because I couldn't spell it based on the sound of the word correctly. But, long story short, an Azimuth is your direction of travel indicated on a compass and expressed in degrees (135 degrees). Whatever the 135 degrees means.
Thank you for your help. Your instructions were clear and not rushed like the REÍ video I seen. I’m going to go hiking this summer and this is my way of preparing.
Johanny, that’s one of the best compliments I’ve ever received! Thank you for your generous words. I hope you have a great time camping! More videos are coming to the FieldCraft playlist. If you have any questions let me know. Look forward to hearing how your trip goes! Be safe!! :: Stoker
Thank you so much for your video. I just inherited a vintage Engineers Directional Compass that belonged to my step father who was a geologist with the USGS. I wanted to learn how to properly use it before I got out and try it. I'm so glad someone made a video that truly made sense. Thank you again.
Its been awhile since I used a Lensatic Compass while in the Marine Corps but this short presentation really brought back memories of my days hoofing through the boonies even at night1 Good job!
Aside from the focus issue during the azimuth part at 7:58 this was a great tutorial for someone like me that has never used a compass like this. Thank you for taking the time to make this video.
It’s much more complicated than what he described if you want to find your way. A map and compass are used together. First you read the map legend to find the difference between magnetic north and true north. You will add or subtract several degrees to get the true north value. Then, you lay your map down and orientate your map to your compass. Now you can plot a course. If the terrain is flat and easy to navigate, you’re in good shape. But, if you must deviate to avoid an obstacle it can be much more complex. Find your first waypoint and use the map to determine the distance. Assign someone to be a pacer, using string or rope to record distance by tying a knot in it at regular intervals. Shoot azimuth, and find a feature on that azimuth, and walk towards it. Repeat this often.
Wow this is pretty cool . I bought a low end Wal-Mart engineer compass for 5 bucks. . tried out your method this am on a hike and it worked perfect . awesome thanks
Hello. Thank you for your service. As a forester, also in the Pacific Northwest, I have always used Silva Pro compasses. Very reliable. One thing you didn't mention, was setting the magnetic declination of a compass, for your location. It does change over time. When I began in forestry. I was declination, 19 degrees east. Now it's 14 degrees east in this area. Also, local attractions can be a problem, if the area contains metal, such as Iron mountain. Compasses, if used properly, can be used to plot an azimuth to a location. If the loci is on a map, your location also on the map. Put the compass on a car hood. Local attractions won't matter. Map under the compass.Keep the bezel at true north. Orient the face plate from where you are, to where you want to be. It will say something like 45 degrees, whatever. Trust your compass.
Silva does make some good compasses. Your right, I didn’t mention declination in the one, kind of by design as I didn’t introduce a map in it. Next one will - actually, my next compass video will feature a Brunton and I’ll walk through how to use it with a map as well. Would love to look into forestry work when I get out....we’ll see. Thanks for sharing some really insightful into! Stoker
As a land surveyor the compass is the most simple of my navigation tools when in the forest. Now if I can only figure out how to stop counting my paces...1,2,3...
I like the way you lay things out for people that may not know too much about navigation. I encourage you to do more videos especially on survival in the wilds.
That is a nice demonstration of how to use the compass and I will try to remember it for when I go out camping again. Thanks for sharing this information with us all.
People defiantly need to learn this stuff, I learned it all back in 82-86 when I was in the USMC. A compass and knowing how to use it can save your life.
I have that same exact compass! Purchased it because it was the same one I used in the marine corps through 1984 to 1991. It withstood some rough use so I would say good choice my friend.
@Donald Allen Ooh Rah. 1/8 Wpns Co. 0341 post tuber here. Land nav is one of those skills that once learned can help save your lives and those in your party always carry good maps of the area in too.
I’ve been getting ready for my units Ranger assessment to get a slot for school. This video was a good refresher for me as I’m a medic and haven’t done any land Nav since basic
I learnt this in pdrm cadet camp and I couldn't get much cause I couldn't see much of what the instructors were teaching and this really helped thanks a lot
I wear glasses . So the centerhold method would be good for metal frames. Glad you covered that. I had classes in the Army PLC school in serious land navigation in 1985. I would rather trust this compass than any GPS. . I'm getting ready to do n AT hike and this is good information for anyone. In case they get off trail. Great for hunting, backpack in unknown territories. Thanks for the video.
In the Arctic AKA the North Pole you will definitely need GPS because a standard Magnetic Compass will start spinning like crazy in the North Pole so GPS is the way to go when you're in the North Pole. It's very scary to see a Compass spinning like crazy in The Arctic. Lol
Looking back when in Boy Scouts, in order to stay in a straight line i. rugged terrain, we would use our bearings to a fixed spot (tree) and hike to that point. Find our bearing again and identify another fixed point and hike there...on and on till we got to our destination.
Homer, I learned the same technique. It’s common name is dead reckoning. Falls in with terrain association and common Orienteering principles. I enjoyed my time in the scouts my myself. Stoker
I just received my (NIB) Camenga Tritium lensatic compass (manufactured date 2018) and it's flipping AWESOME. I fired up this video and learned the basics to use this precision instrument. Thanks a million for sharing your knowledge with us, I hike alot of old mining trails in the Angeles National Forest,your tutorial is vital and can save my skin in someday. Thank you, you have a new Subscriber. ✌️🇺🇸
@@STOKERMATIC I have checked out other Channels but didn't care for the presentation and personality very much, your vids are welcoming, that means alot. Chat with you soon.🇺🇸✌️
Thanks a bunch. 52 years old and haven’t used a compass since Boy Scouts. This will come in handy on a fishing/camping trip this year. Well hopefully I won’t need it but I’ll practice with it just in case
Topographic maps are printed with reference to true north. You need to include a correction for mag vs. true if you want to accurately plan a path from source to destination.
Thank you for the simple instructions/descriptions & for the simple examples to go with the two uses. I'll be using a compass for the first time at a National Park and I want to be prepared....for anything!
I'm a forester, and use a compass fairly often when I'm in the woods. I'm also a Boy Scout leader and teach the Scouts how to use a compass and read topographic maps. I don't trust GPS since it might not work or the battery go dead, etc. I'd suggest you add in a little blurb about declination. In my area it's 10 degrees W. Not an issue on short lines or if you're not using a topo map, but on long lines or setting up a route on a topographic map it will make a difference. As you said, all a compass does is point to magnetic north. The needle does NOT tell you what direction to go. YOU use the compass to determine your direction by setting it up properly as you describe. One more point; always, always, always trust the compass. If you get disoriented and you think you need to go in a different direction than the the compass indicates ("I KNOW that's the right direction"), don't trust your "instinct". Trust your compass.
Man, what great insight - thank you for sharing all that! The scouting program is great - had such a good time in Philmont. Hope your able to continue that. Your words about declination are good ones to remember as well. Hope to see you around!
Thanks so much for this tutorial. My father used to say I couldn't find my ass with a compass but after watching your video and practicing a little bit I can now find my ass! For sentimental reasons I now carry a compass in my back pocket and my father is really proud of me!
Check out my Navigation playlist for more (and better quality) videos. th-cam.com/play/PLdH0eQIL1uhPzR5pXqZQA69u0acXHd6vx.html
I don't remember what I paid for that exact campus but it was expensive. lol
8880
❤@@DanaWebb2017
Eight years in the Marine Corps 68 to 76 before GPS and a year in Vietnam that's how we traveled through the jungle day or night. The man speaks the truth so all you gadget guys might want to learn how to use said instrument.
Semper Fi Devil Dog! Thanks for the comment and sharing a solid reason why - from experience - that this is a vital skill.
Boxing Bro theres always one ☝🏽 great share
I believe you, and I did learn in the California Cadet Corps, part of the California National Guard. 7th grade - 10th grade. 1986
SirTigAlot Wolfe lmfao
i grew up with a Captain in the Marines he helped me get ready to join and taught me how to shoot and all i would need to know, he was going to go with me when i was going to sign the papers. but one day i was training in wrestling i was hit on side of knee, and well that did it i was never going to be able join now or any time in future, i was to have surgery on my knee. so i lost out on that dream so that you for your service to our Country. And to Captain David Berkman, i miss his company and his laugh we moved.
STOKERMATIC.......outstanding video that everyone should learn. I spent four years in the airborne infantry and navigated my way around Vietnam with a map and compass in the jungles, mountains, and rice paddies. Called in air strikes and artillery on the enemy with a fair degree of accuracy and survived my tour of duty. Before that I navigated jungle expert school in Panama that had jungles worse than Nam.....all with a lensatic compass and topo map.
You've done a great job in your video and I say.......continue to march!
Thanks, a Vietnam vet '67-'68 101st Airborne Div.
Holy crap John! Thank you for your service and kind words! But mostly for your awesome service!!
Stoker
@@STOKERMATIC .......and be advised I just subscribed! Your more than welcome, brother.
Hi Jhon, I'm located in Panama, interested in a conversation over your experience, would you be willing to have a small chat?
I was in the Army, and it took them hours to explain what you did in just a few minutes.
You made it so simple and the Army needs to hire you.
Thank You!
Thank you! Am prior service Marine, been in the Army since 2010. Thank you for your service!
@@STOKERMATIC Without much explanation, Thank You! I was a US Army Ranger, we knew that we could not do what we did without the full efforts of "all" of our comrades in arms! Our group always gave a moment of silence to honor them.
My JROTC instructors were this simple in the 1970's.
Excellent! as a retired Army guy (25 years retired), It is nice to see and hear someone who understands Land Navigation. You are currently former or still military, land nav and "as you were" slips. Simple concise and to the point... good job. I still carry my military issued compass from years past every hunting season, even in the digital age.
Sam, thanks! USMC 95-03, Army ‘10-present. Thanks for the comment and kind words!
Genuine Leather necks have a distinct voice
Holy hell... better than any nco has ever taught me how to use a damn compass in 2 years. No fancy talk, no fancy crap. Learned more in 10 mins than a 4 hour course... thanks!
Thanks! If your interested, check out the other ones in my FieldCraft or Amrit playlist. If anything comes to mind that you would be interested in seeing done, let me know.
Stoker
yeah the nco has a lot of time so he tries to give you more than a basic information but this man needs to be as simple as possible thats why he is better
@Skarwind, Doubt if it changed since I've been in. Not bad mouthing military, but so many of these drill sergeants, sergeants, officers etc.... are not to bright.
In most work places if they managed those businesses or companies like they do in military, 99.9% of them would be fired on the spot, or probably never would had been hired.
Not to mention so much waste of money in military, on how and what they spend our money on, with so many other things, which lots of it is not necessary. They could use lots of that extra money to pay our military service members more money and or better training on other things like this. But can go on and on with that topic.
I camp with my two boys 9 & 11 years old, they will be watching this video too!
Thank you for your service sir!!
Right on brother! Have fun with your boys!
You can also lock the floating plate (dial) by closing the sighting lens down, for easier reading.
you can charge the night sights with a flash light.
you can count clicks (when it's dark) and multiply it by three to find your orientation.
Nice tutorial. Thanks
Great tips! Though I think I mentioned a couple of them in this or other vids, I don’t think I’ve mentioned how closing the sighting lens down will lock the azimuth, it’s a cool trick.
Thanks for the great comments!
How do you "count clicks"? I assume you mean count the clicks of the bezel when you turn it.
Yes. The black ring on top of the azimuth has a dot and line indicator that will glowing if you give them some light. Turning it makes some clicking sounds and helps to count by mils (6400mil = 360 degree) each click is 3 mils. At night, that helps your reading.
I don't think I have ever heard this laid out more simply then you just did. Great job, and awesome video.
Jason, thank you! Glad you found it useful!
AGREED!!!
Great ved
Better than the instructor I had in boot camp
EL Cucuy
Totally! I agree. I struggled with Land Nav in the Army because no one explained it this clearly. Maybe that’s because the cadre were trying to teach too many people at once in too short of time.
I was Army special forces, no worries to all you marines out there, I won't hold that against you. lol.. I lived in the woods many many months with just the compass. My grandson is also Army and he tells me they don't teach much of the compass anymore. I think everyone should know how to use it. This is the best video I have ever seen for clarity, thank you very much Stokermatic.
Appreciate your service Harley! Bet you’ve got some great stories. We teach map and compass a few times in institutional schools - and a few of us teach it in regular units. I’m a dinosaur guess. Lol
Stoker
@@STOKERMATIC I don't think you are a dinosaur Stoker, I think you are a realist, I think the military has gotten lazy. My Grandson also tells me they aren't allowed to cuss and scream at them. I mean what is that.
They should teach things like this in elementary school .
That's where we learn it here in Scandinavia ;) I'ts called "orientering" or orientation. We learn to read maps with compasses and then go out in the woods to find markers using what we learned. We stamp our "tickets" at the locations as proof we found the right markers. Meanwhile our gym teacher sits back at his office sipping coffee with donuts and wait for his students. We called him "Bullen" which literally translates to donut or pastry...good times
@@VahidCullsberg That sounds like a ton of fun. Here in the states, PE is more or less a joke. Usually we gather in a gym, take attendance, then the PE teacher/coach just hands out basketballs then goes into their office.
@@Dizzykitty817 yes that happens here too 😂
Most civilians call it orienteering here in the States as well. Awesome to hear about your experience! Thanks for sharing it!!
We did a little in our small Alaskan school. We surveyed deer droppings lol
Never been lost a day in my life, been really confused for a month or two but never lost
Daniel Boone said something similar about his wanderings across Kentucky in the 1760's.
Ronald 240Bravo I got lost driving when I was younger. It was really upsetting for me. Before there were gps and i didn’t know how to read a map. After three hours of driving, I pulled into an office building some where and walked in for help absolutely beside myself. I saw a lady there and I over heard her say to another lady she was driving to my college. She asked me why I looked so upset and I told her I was lost for hours and out of luck she was driving to my college and I knew how to get home from there so I just followed her over to my college and then drove home. Then afterword I learned how to read a map. I dont know how to use a compass though... yet.
@@Tishers That's because his GPS unit died...........
"The Mountain Men", right? Only saw it once, literally forty years ago, but I laughed my ass off at that line!!
Same here. Lol. Same here ✌🏼
As a kid in the Boy Scouts I was lucky to have the parent of another scout who was a Marine Sergeant who taught map and compass. This is a great refresher.
That's awesome!
Thanks for the refresher. I am a veteran and it has been years since I have used a lensatic compass. I really appreciate you taking the time time to explain it.
Thanks for your service amigo! So glad the content assisted you!
Stoker.
I'm in the same boat used in marine corp and recently had 2 brain surgeries, got my lensatic out as if I have never used it, time to re learn thanks nam great video
This is by far the best compass how-to video on the internet
I LOATHE this video. I need to redo it in focus. 😂🤣
Now this is what I call simplified how to with a tool that is so confusing to myriads of people. Thank you! You did a great job simplifying the compass. Keep up the great works...
Thanks Tom! I know it could have been better but am happy it helped
Literally the best Compass nomenclature and how to video on TH-cam. Well taught my friend!
Wow, thanks Hayden!
2years later you can still teach someone and I've never seen it explained so easy , hope you still do videos because I just subscribed , thanks.
🇺🇸🥃👊
Thank you brother . We may all need a compass to navigate with in the future if we don’t get our country back on track...
May we all read our azimuth true.
I got a brand new Cammenga 3H off eBay and it came without a box, packaging or instructions but I worked out everything you said there, especially the sighting method where you angle the top cover by 45 deg approx. But then again, my previous compass was a British WF Stanley & Sons Prismatic Marching Compass, the compass that conquered an Empire!
Even though the Cammenga is not liquid damped, it is remarkably stable, very accurate and easy to use. Pretty bombproof and very good value for money
Awesome! Thanks for sharing!
I love to collect old things! I'm considering getting a prismatic compass my self. I want to make a good survival kit.
Former soldier here. We used these in Basic back on '05. These days I'm more into survival and nature, so this is great as a refresher. Thanks!
Good stuff brother!
Learned this in Basic Training, but nice to know I haven't forgotten. Grey matter still functioning.
Glad it brought back some memories! Thanks for your service!!
Pretty much worked how I thought. Spent a whole lot of time in the woods but never used one, at least properly. Would def use one in unfamiliar woods/places. I think the military Jargon that goes along with navigation throws a lot of people off (not you, just in general). I appreciate it!
You got it brother!
I never thought I would watch a video of Kenny Chesney teaching me how to use a compass
Yet here we are - KILLING IT!
Been an outdoorsman fishing trapping hunting, at home never needed a compass till I started truck driving getting fishing license for me and my wife is a day or two and go hiking so got my first one static compass have learned how to use it from this video excellent video ,, great teachings,, I subscribed !
T.J.! Thanks for delivering the goods brother! Man, that's an under appreciated occupation! Appreciate your kind words!
I'm reading a DLC Land Nav course for the Army, and it's driving me crazy. This simple video made more sense to me than in the hour or so I've spent reading through this course.
Plenty more in my land nav playlist (and they are in focus too 🤣😂)
this was possibly the best video i've ever seen for compass demonstration. great detail and thoroughness
Excellent explanation. It is of the utmost importance to ensure that the lensantic compass stays level so that the north seeking arrow plate card moves freely. If it is not level, the floating plate will jam against the casing while pointing at the wrong direction. As a tenderfoot scout I made that mistake on an orienteering camporee where it was not permitted to look up, only downwards to the compass. A standard compass is less forgiving to leveling errors than a lensantic one. Be Prepared.
Thanks for sharing that!
I got lost in Kowloon Hong Kong way past midnight on my own - knowing this much got me home safe. Show this video to anyone you know who likes to travel - a decent compass and this video will keep them out o trouble. Well done Stokermatic.
Thank you!!
es 101 what the fuck I have too many questions
Thanks for the lesson. It was very easy to understand. I just bought that same compass today at Cabelas. It wasn't cheap, but as they say, you get what you pay for. I'm in the process of making a gotta go bag with survival equipment just incase the 💩💩💩 hits the fan with everything that's going on. Got a few more things to get and I'll be ready to hit the woods if needed. Thanks again for the video. Good stuff.👍
Right on brother! Thanks for watching and hope your able to watch some more. 🇺🇸👊👊
I just ordered a Camenga lensatic Tritium myself. I have a Luminox Tritium watch and so far it's illumination has lasted 16 yrs, if i'am not mistaking, Luminox says it can illuminate 25 yrs but they guarantee 12 yrs.
Great review, simple, to the point. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.🇺🇸✌️
Eric, sounds like a great watch! It’s true that the tritium will last that long - anything past the half life and it’ll be hit or miss. Glad to hear your watch was a hit!
I like this short and simple simple tutorial on how to use a Lensatic compass. That in itself is probably a couple hours of classroom instruction in Basic training. Not to be confused with actual land navigation which would definitely require a lot more instruction. This will at least get you going in the right direction.
Thanks for your kind words!
Best compass video out there. You explain it in a simple and straightforward manner that's easy to understand. Thanks!
Thank you!
Thank you you broke it down as simple as it can be. I haven’t picked up one of these since I left the Corp. But I just purchased a brand new one and can’t wait to go out and do some navigating. Thank you again and Semper fi
Semper Fi!
Great video. Learned that method (bezel to N arrow alignment) method from a Vietnam vet NCO in PLDC in ‘83. Came in especially handy during nighttime movement and night land nav. Another great NCO in USAEUR taught our platoon to determine or estimate our pace count in three levels of terrain. 1. Flat ground 2. Going up a hill and 3. Coming down a hill. Each terrain difference affects your pace count (as well as the gear weight you carry ruckin’). Then later on in my Mil life I got good and taught field expedient methods of land nav (day/night). Fun stuff !!! Thanks for the memories !!! Peace !!!
Thanks for your service brother! And super glad you enjoyed the content!
Best Explanation of the Lensatic Compass that I've heard so far!
Thanks Phil!
I love the vid. The info is great, and all of it made sense. Please please please, never change your style of delivery. The slips, the un-slick approach is truly wonderful. It shows you are human. Best wishes, Dave in Yorkshire, England.
Dave, thanks brother! I hope if you check out a more recent video, you'll see the same - but maybe a little more refined. But I do try to bring myself to the table. It either resonates, or it doesn't. Hope all is well in Yorkshire friend!
Stay Stoked!
The only time I ever used a military map or compass was high school JROTC and that was a LONG time ago. It's amazing how it comes back :)
Awesome demonstration. Been 10 years since I used a Lensatic compass. Watching your video brought it all back. Thanks for sharing!
👊 🇺🇸
Haven't used a compass in years. Thanks for the refresher.
alex, thanks! I’m actually working on a video discussing how to use a lensatic compass at night - hope you check it out!
@@STOKERMATIC excellent!
I’ve never used a compass in my life and I understood this 100%! Thank you brother!
This rookie traveler can't wait to get out there to do some land nav. Thanks so much for dumbing-it-down for this beginner.
Glad it helped. Hope the other ones in the fieldcraft playlist do as well. Any questions or concerns don’t hesitate to let me know. Thanks for watching!
The info is so useful and great that I didn't care about the quality (out of zoom) of the video. Thanks a lot.
Appreciate it - got plenty more where that came from (and in focus too, 😂 )
Excellent instructional......clear, understandable, complete and precise.....wasn't left with a single question in my mind.......got me sub'd! You're a rare breed in that you can teach what needs to be taught.....respect!
Thank you! Look forward to future interactions and continuing the conversation.
Idk how I passed land nav in basic. You made this so simple. Thanks. It's taken me 21 years to understand this.
I see you gave a good basic use of compass lesson as we were taught in the military. We did go farther with this and were also taught how to use the compass with a map in order to find the final destination and to navigate with it. Being in the Navy I was also taught how to use the compass to make sure that I could follow a course to a given spot. I have not used the ocean direction training for many years now and will need to relearn that issue again.
Dale, I appreciate you sharing some time and thoughts with us here. It's great to have you. Thank you for your service! I've received and given several blocks of instruction on Land Navigation as well (former Marine and current Army First Sergeant).
Stoker
I always make sure i know what heading i need to get from my hunting treestand back to civilization in the dark after i climb out of my tree. Been using a cheap compass but finally got my Cammenga 3H in today !!! Thanks for the video, been 35 years since i used one of these in the military.
Awesome! Happy hunting!
The best demonstration.. Just like when I was in Fort Knox basic training.. Quick simple and easy.. Thank you Sir.. You got to the point from the beginning. I needed a refresher course and I found it... Hello from TEXAS USA 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Glad it was helpful! Plenty more in my fieldcraft playlist and more coming in the future as well! Have a great weekend down in Texas!!
Don’t mean to correct the young man
The Republic of Texas.
@@dickthomas2535 Yes sir , The Republic Of Texas.. 👍👍👍👍👍👍
Going through Army BCT in 1969, Ft Dix, NJ, we were not taught the use of a compass. At Ft Knox for AIT, 11D, Armor Recon Specialist training, (housed at the then-new Disney barracks) is where we learned compass navigation. Our qualification was done at night at the Mount Eden North Base Camp. Pitch black darkness, with no maps. We all managed to qualify but it was a total cluster fuck! LOL
Thanks for the refresher course, (now I have to dig out my lensatic compass and practice a little).
p.s. That Army training gave me a good running start for compass navigation while I was getting my pilots license!
Great video, but I might add as a newbie with compasses: For anyone (esle) wandering, since this video "was directed at beginners". I had to search google using voice to text to figure out what an "azimuth" was. I had Asthma related content popup as if I needed an inhaler because I couldn't spell it based on the sound of the word correctly. But, long story short, an Azimuth is your direction of travel indicated on a compass and expressed in degrees (135 degrees). Whatever the 135 degrees means.
I have my compass for years, this video greatly improved my knowledge in using it.
This is an excellent video. Proves that there's still a few things of value on TH-cam ! Better than a military field manual !
I do what I can amigo! Thank you so much!
@@STOKERMATIC you do pretty damn good !
Thank you for your help. Your instructions were clear and not rushed like the REÍ video I seen. I’m going to go hiking this summer and this is my way of preparing.
Johanny, that’s one of the best compliments I’ve ever received! Thank you for your generous words. I hope you have a great time camping! More videos are coming to the FieldCraft playlist. If you have any questions let me know. Look forward to hearing how your trip goes! Be safe!!
:: Stoker
Thank you so much for your video. I just inherited a vintage Engineers Directional Compass that belonged to my step father who was a geologist with the USGS. I wanted to learn how to properly use it before I got out and try it. I'm so glad someone made a video that truly made sense. Thank you again.
Sounds like a hell of a man. Peace be with you.
8:04 "As you were". Haven't heard that since I got out the USMC.
Semper Fi!!
I'm thinking 0311 probably????
Now go hydrate. SF gents!
He was definitely prior service/or still in,,, im saying ARMY! Im biased tho! Great video! To easy!
“As you fucking were” to be more accurate
Its been awhile since I used a Lensatic Compass while in the Marine Corps but this short presentation really brought back memories of my days hoofing through the boonies even at night1 Good job!
I appreciate it Keith! Looking forward to redoing this video in the spring
Oh-and Semper Fi!
Nice little refresher. Haven't used a compass since 1999, when I got out the military. Have a Coleman brand lensatic (military style) compass now.
Vince, glad to hear you enjoyed it. Hope the Coleman Lensatic treats you well!
@@STOKERMATIC , haven't had the NEED to use it yet. But tried to teach my daughter how go use it at home.
Vince, good to hear. Time well spent with our kids. All three of mine have enjoyed picking up a compass and learning how to use it.
:: Stoker
Aside from the focus issue during the azimuth part at 7:58 this was a great tutorial for someone like me that has never used a compass like this. Thank you for taking the time to make this video.
I'm glad it was helpful!
Stay Stoked!
Thank you for a straight forward explanation of how to use the lensatic compass.
It’s much more complicated than what he described if you want to find your way. A map and compass are used together. First you read the map legend to find the difference between magnetic north and true north. You will add or subtract several degrees to get the true north value. Then, you lay your map down and orientate your map to your compass. Now you can plot a course. If the terrain is flat and easy to navigate, you’re in good shape. But, if you must deviate to avoid an obstacle it can be much more complex. Find your first waypoint and use the map to determine the distance. Assign someone to be a pacer, using string or rope to record distance by tying a knot in it at regular intervals. Shoot azimuth, and find a feature on that azimuth, and walk towards it. Repeat this often.
Appreciate you sharing that Peter
Great video. Learned more in 10 minutes than hours of other confusing videos. Thanks.
Wow this is pretty cool . I bought a low end Wal-Mart engineer compass for 5 bucks. . tried out your method this am on a hike and it worked perfect . awesome thanks
Awesome!!
Man i remember having a hard time with this in infantry school yet in ten minutes I'm good to go excellent
Hello. Thank you for your service. As a forester, also in the Pacific Northwest, I have always used Silva Pro compasses. Very reliable. One thing you didn't mention, was setting the magnetic declination of a compass, for your location. It does change over time. When I began in forestry. I was declination, 19 degrees east. Now it's 14 degrees east in this area. Also, local attractions can be a problem, if the area contains metal, such as Iron mountain. Compasses, if used properly, can be used to plot an azimuth to a location. If the loci is on a map, your location also on the map. Put the compass on a car hood. Local attractions won't matter. Map under the compass.Keep the bezel at true north. Orient the face plate from where you are, to where you want to be. It will say something like 45 degrees, whatever. Trust your compass.
Silva does make some good compasses. Your right, I didn’t mention declination in the one, kind of by design as I didn’t introduce a map in it. Next one will - actually, my next compass video will feature a Brunton and I’ll walk through how to use it with a map as well.
Would love to look into forestry work when I get out....we’ll see. Thanks for sharing some really insightful into!
Stoker
freaking outstanding both of you...
As a land surveyor the compass is the most simple of my navigation tools when in the forest. Now if I can only figure out how to stop counting my paces...1,2,3...
LOL! Right!
I like the way you lay things out for people that may not know too much about navigation. I encourage you to do more videos especially on survival in the wilds.
Hope you catch my newer content Jim!
I have never been lost because there is always someone willing to tell me where to go.
Right on.
I think I've watched 10 videos on how to use a compass and this one is the best. Explained very simple.
Thank you so much!
Great job and thank you for making this. No bull and fuss is exactly what this video offers. 👍
Thank you sir.
Learnt this in scouts but didn’t have a compass like this one. Watched this as a refresher. Great vid.
Glad you enjoyed it Derrick!
I made Eagle a few days before my 18th birthday, and I still remember many things - most notably "Be Prepared"
That is a nice demonstration of how to use the compass and I will try to remember it for when I go out camping again. Thanks for sharing this information with us all.
Thanks for the quick refresher on this important aspect of orienteering... it's been awhile for me. Your video is much appreciated.
🇺🇸🥃👊
Thank you. this is one of the best explanations I've ever heard.
People defiantly need to learn this stuff, I learned it all back in 82-86 when I was in the USMC. A compass and knowing how to use it can save your life.
Couldn’t agree more. Thanks for your service and Semper Fi!
I have that same exact compass! Purchased it because it was the same one I used in the marine corps through 1984 to 1991. It withstood some rough use so I would say good choice my friend.
Awesome. Was in the Corps from 95-03. Semper Fi!
STOKERMATIC I figured. The “good to go” gave you away brother. Lol. 0352 TOW Critter, Death on a Leash. Semper Fi! 👍
Good stuff!
83-87 Semper Fi !!!
@Donald Allen Ooh Rah. 1/8 Wpns Co. 0341 post tuber here. Land nav is one of those skills that once learned can help save your lives and those in your party always carry good maps of the area in too.
That is so much easier than I thought. Thank you for explaining it! I can't believe I'm 35 and didn't know this already.
👊
short, sweet and simple. well done.
Not sure why I couldn't understand this when I was in bootcamp 19 years ago, but you explained it very well. Thank you.
Glad to hear it Richard! Semper Fi!
Thank you for this, I've never had anyone explain this to me so clearly.
Jerry, thank you! Wish my camera work was clear in this one, lol.
I’ve been getting ready for my units Ranger assessment to get a slot for school. This video was a good refresher for me as I’m a medic and haven’t done any land Nav since basic
Awesome! Check out my landnav playlist to keep you going!
Nice. Simple. Clear! Well done!
I learnt this in pdrm cadet camp and I couldn't get much cause I couldn't see much of what the instructors were teaching and this really helped thanks a lot
Glad it was helpful!
I wear glasses . So the centerhold method would be good for metal frames. Glad you covered that. I had classes in the Army PLC school in serious land navigation in 1985. I would rather trust this compass than any GPS. . I'm getting ready to do n AT hike and this is good information for anyone. In case they get off trail. Great for hunting, backpack in unknown territories. Thanks for the video.
Jeffrey Thanks for the comments! I too will trust my map and compass over a GPS (as handy of a gadget as they are). Good luck on your hike!
Yes, compass over battery operated GPS. Also need to know your pace count in brush/woods. Its different than on open road / dirt roads.
In the Arctic AKA the North Pole you will definitely need GPS because a standard Magnetic Compass will start spinning like crazy in the North Pole so GPS is the way to go when you're in the North Pole. It's very scary to see a Compass spinning like crazy in The Arctic. Lol
Awesome video. Please explain the back azimuth technic to make your way back to the original take off point.
Check out my land nav playlist 👊
Looking back when in Boy Scouts, in order to stay in a straight line i. rugged terrain, we would use our bearings to a fixed spot (tree) and hike to that point. Find our bearing again and identify another fixed point and hike there...on and on till we got to our destination.
Homer, I learned the same technique. It’s common name is dead reckoning. Falls in with terrain association and common Orienteering principles. I enjoyed my time in the scouts my myself.
Stoker
If you're ever lost, with out a compas, but have a map. Just walk up to a tree, shake it, then look at the map too see which tree is wigglin'.
I just received my (NIB) Camenga Tritium lensatic compass (manufactured date 2018) and it's flipping AWESOME. I fired up this video and learned the basics to use this precision instrument.
Thanks a million for sharing your knowledge with us, I hike alot of old mining trails in the Angeles National Forest,your tutorial is vital and can save my skin in someday.
Thank you, you have a new Subscriber. ✌️🇺🇸
Eric - I'm glad you've dug into the channel so much so quickly! Glad the content resonates with ya. Look forward to the future!
@@STOKERMATIC I have checked out other Channels but didn't care for the presentation and personality very much, your vids are welcoming, that means alot. Chat with you soon.🇺🇸✌️
Clear and simple explanations - easy to understand - THANK YOU.
Thanks for sharing some time here on the channel! Hope you come back
Stoker
Just got my cub scout a lensatic compass for his 9th birthday! 🎉 Now we have to figure out how to use it! He loves it and can't wait!
Thank you Bruce Willis for explaining how to use a compass.
He looks more like Joe Montana if you ask me!!! LOL!
He's not the real Bruce Willis. The real Bruce Willis would have done the demonstration from his hot tub.
I was thinking Kenny Chesney
Thanks a bunch. 52 years old and haven’t used a compass since Boy Scouts. This will come in handy on a fishing/camping trip this year. Well hopefully I won’t need it but I’ll practice with it just in case
Donnie, much appreciated and that took me back to my scouting days! Lots of similar vids in my FieldCraft playlists.
So..the mag north is the reference if youre in the right direction..it should be alligned with the indicating line youve set...now i know..thanks..
Topographic maps are printed with reference to true north. You need to include a correction for mag vs. true if you want to accurately plan a path from source to destination.
Thank you for the simple instructions/descriptions & for the simple examples to go with the two uses. I'll be using a compass for the first time at a National Park and I want to be prepared....for anything!
Right on Bobbi!
Thank you - short, sharp and to the point. ATB from the UK
Thanks!
I'm a forester, and use a compass fairly often when I'm in the woods. I'm also a Boy Scout leader and teach the Scouts how to use a compass and read topographic maps. I don't trust GPS since it might not work or the battery go dead, etc. I'd suggest you add in a little blurb about declination. In my area it's 10 degrees W. Not an issue on short lines or if you're not using a topo map, but on long lines or setting up a route on a topographic map it will make a difference. As you said, all a compass does is point to magnetic north. The needle does NOT tell you what direction to go. YOU use the compass to determine your direction by setting it up properly as you describe. One more point; always, always, always trust the compass. If you get disoriented and you think you need to go in a different direction than the the compass indicates ("I KNOW that's the right direction"), don't trust your "instinct". Trust your compass.
Man, what great insight - thank you for sharing all that! The scouting program is great - had such a good time in Philmont. Hope your able to continue that. Your words about declination are good ones to remember as well. Hope to see you around!
Really simple explanations and easy to understand. Thank you!
This video is better than the land navigation class that I had in 11B mos training in the Army.
Michael, I appreciate that!
Oh dang it - and thanks for your service brother!
Good way to use a compass,never knew that about lineing up.Thanks.
Thanks Ricardo! Glad it shared some useful info. Have a few other related vids in my fieldcraft playlist as well if your interested.
Stoker.
Thanks so much for this tutorial.
My father used to say I couldn't find my ass with a compass but after watching your video and practicing a little bit I can now find my ass!
For sentimental reasons I now carry a compass in my back pocket and my father is really proud of me!
Right on! Glad the video helped and sounds like your dad was quite the character! Be stoked!
Best instructions ever, simple and informative. Thank You.
Thank you E.C.!
This. This is the way to teach. I could actually understand it. I don't want to read a whole text book for 6 hours
I loved "Compass to cheek , as you were" habits die hard