How To Adjust For Magnetic Declination

A simple explanation of how to adjust for magnetic declination.

Watch to learn how to adjust a compass with adjustable declination so that you can navigate accurately using a map and compass. Since your map is based off of true north and your compass points to magnetic north, you need to adjust for magnetic declination to get your map and compass on the same page.

[brent]

Short, simple, and to the point. Great video.

[olechuga]

Sir, great information.
95 - 98% of compass usage videos forget this very important starting point.
Thank you Sir, for your work on this issue.

[ChristopherErringtonPhoto]

I have been looking for a video to have my map students check out. This is the best I’ve found as far as explaining clearly and easily. Great job.

[ArtemisJarl]

Very good video, but I would suggest showing that crucial point where you finally know your declination, but are confusing about exactly which way to turn the compass to adjust because it's not intuitive.

[JGreagg]

Thanks for the video guys. It might be worth mentioning that Grid North is not the same as True North though. There is a difference.

[stFlyingeagle]

Thanks, I got it. The grapefruit was an excellent choice for showing your point. And also saying if the line is on the left or the right. I learned something from your video. Well done.

[cliffmathew]

It was quite illustrative when the Grapefruit showed the alignment of Magnetic North and the True Geographic North. Thank you!

[Lag]

Thanks for the simple and easy to understand explanation

[rudychavira]

Ok I'm using lensatic compass with rotating bezel if it's on right which way do I turn

[retki_rinkka]

In which direction is the correction being turned in Finland? east or west?

[Mightiflier]

really good video, best explanation I've seen. it seems you could stand on a given map waypoint, direct the compass to another given map waypoint, then subtract or add the amount when you plot the same reading on your USG map. The difference would be the declination you would have to add or subtract at the given time. however, the waypoints would have to be small enough to hone in the exact degrees of declination.

[mikekennedy]

Thank you for your explanation . Needed this refresher.

[johnherrick]

Ok once I have adjusted the compass for declination I put the compass on the map, do I align the map with the magnetic arrow of the compass or the adjusted red arrow (dog house) of the compass?

[anton_]

Wow I actually understand now your the best !!

[guyditchfield]

Nice and clear information. Where I am in the UK we are now on 0 magnetic declination, soon the little rhyme we learnt as children 'mag to grid get rid, grid to mag add' will no longer be applicable. so, there's a definite reason to get a compass with an adjustable magnetic declination. Especially if you get caught out and things go a little 'pear shaped and there's a need to rely on remembering if to add or subtract under pressure.

[James-kesx]

I understand the concept I just wish I could find a video that just puts the compass down in front of me and just shows me which way to turn the needle without all the talking when you turn the compass over it doesn't show north south east or west it just has degrees I just want to know which way the needle turns 2 see it done in front of my eyes

[jimbodee]

Hi was hoping to learn more and maybe get a table of location vs mag declination. Tried the link in description and it no longer works Critical error: Bad database connection: #

[TyJee]

Adjusting for magnetic declination is pretty simple. People advising a compass with an adjustment for magnetic declination is a "must have", I think, blocks people from understanding just how easy it really is.

Most base plate compasses have a fixed mag. declination scale printed inside the compass capsule. I rarely see any videos explaining it is there or how to use it. The mag declination scale goes from 0˚ -> 65˚ or 90˚, for both East an West mag. declination. It is easy to use, in many different ways. Here is one example.
After you have taken your azimuth off the map, standup and turn until the compass mag. needle is aligned over the orienting arrow. [red in the shed].
Then look at the mag declination scale inside the compass capsule and turn until the compass mag needle to pointing at the correct number of degrees of mag. declination. The direction of travel arrow will now be pointing in the correct direction.
Hint:

If mag. declination is 10˚ West, you will turn 10˚ CW, to your right.
If mag. declination is 12˚ East, you will turn 12˚ CCW, to your left.

If you want to, before walking toward your destination. You can do one more step. Hold the compass stationary, and carefully turn the compass capsule so that the orienting arrow moves to be below the mag. compass needle. The needle will once again be pointing at N on the bezel.

[note, if you have a compass with adjustable mag declination, when you adjust it, all you are doing is making the "orienting arrow" (the shed) point at the same number of degrees of mag, declination on the same mag declination scale]

If you prefer doing the math. Maybe an acronym I created will help you understand it, and remember it..

[[ WAvES = West Add v East Subtract ]] think of the "v" as a symbol of the mag. declination diagram.
If the azimuth taken off the map = 120˚, and mag declination = 10˚West => reset the compass to 130˚ (120˚ + 10˚)
If the azimuth taken off the map = 42˚, and mag declination = 12˚East => reset the compass to 30˚ (42˚ - 12˚)
Your compass direction of travel arrow will be pointing in the correct direction.

[matthewprior]

This was very simple and helpful. Thank you!!

[GatheringJacob]

So let’s say you were in NJ. The magnetic north is left of true north so you dial the red arrow towards the west - is that correct?