August 19, 2011. Bill Szydlowski
credit: marfis75The compass is defined as a navigational instrument. This instrument shows the cardinal directions in a fixed frame of reference.
The cardinal directions are known as north, south, east and west which are usually seen as initials on most compasses.
Angle markings can also be seen from 0 to 360 degrees. North is 0, East will fall in the 90 degree area and so on. These degrees or numbers are known as bearings or azimuths. Analog compasses will show a needle and these markings. On the flip side, digital compasses will only have the bearings.
How it works
Magnetic compasses will have a magnetized pointer or the needle which works with the Earth’s magnetic field. This pointer will always align itself with the Earth’s magnetic north and south. These are the constants people work with to determine the other directions.
As a compass changes in orientation, the needle in the middle does as well. However, as a person gets closer to the magnetic poles, compasses will usually be way off in its readings. Other devices will have to be used.
GPS devices can also be used for navigation and even GPS technology has its limitations. Through GPS devices, a person can get their bearing to a particular waypoint. However, it cannot provide constant direction of travel. It will only provide accurate and consistent bearing towards a waypoint.
Watches with compass
The very first wrist compasses were invented during World War I by the founder of the Finnish company Suunto. It was also approximately the same time wristwatches became popular. Having the device on one’s wrist made it easy, convenient and practical for soldiers to know where they are headed at a glance with their hands free. For wristwatches, it was an easy way to tell time.
A barometer compass watch will have both devices on a single wrist watch. In the past, a wrist watch and wrist compass was already useful. Nowadays, these multi-function watches are even more useful. Instead of having just one device to tell time or to direction, people can have both with a compass watch.
Such a watch can also have an altimeter, barometer, thermometer, tide information and lunar phases. A number of these watches are even GPS enabled. There are a lot of other features that can be used in combination with a compass. Each set of features cater to a particular group of people’s needs.
Published August 19, 2011. Bill Szydlowski
