Best compass for beginners
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Best compass for beginners
Long time no Nope - Hi everyone! We're starting to set up a Boston area kids program and I'm trying to figure out the best way to integrate the compass. My preference would actually be to leave it out completely for the first few sessions, but unfortunately to get the beginners badge over here you've got to show you can use one to orient the map. I was hoping to buy a few clip compasses, but it seems Silva stopped them a loooong time ago. Does anyone have a suggestion for a simple but effective beginner compass? Google suggests that Aussie MTBOers have figured out a way to convert a basic plateless one to clip - do we have a northern version?
Will? We've got proper fire now!
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Becks - god
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Re: Best compass for beginners
The clip compass is pretty poor IMO - the clip itself is very weak so doesn't adequately hold a map - falling off all over the place. I'd get some cheap baseplates with strings so you don't lose them all.
Orienteering - its no walk in the park
- andypat
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Re: Best compass for beginners
An experienced coach I know (my wife) recommends the Silva Beginners compass.
£12 in the UK from Outdoorgb.com
£12 in the UK from Outdoorgb.com
- Paul Frost
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Re: Best compass for beginners
I learnt to Orienteering with a clip compass so don’t think they’re poor - however they’re not made anymore, so it doesn’t really matter.
I had seen that model Paul - I like the idea that it gets the kids used to turning their bodies too. Does your wife have any more advanced feedback for using it?
I had seen that model Paul - I like the idea that it gets the kids used to turning their bodies too. Does your wife have any more advanced feedback for using it?
Will? We've got proper fire now!
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Becks - god
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Re: Best compass for beginners
The Silva beginner wrist compass replaces the old clip on compass. Currently being used very successfully by many primary school children across the UK . The children learn to thumb the map quite early on using it.
BSOA sell them for £10 each
https://web210.secure-secure.co.uk/bsoa ... hopPage=20
BSOA sell them for £10 each
https://web210.secure-secure.co.uk/bsoa ... hopPage=20
- The mole
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Re: Best compass for beginners
I like the idea of the strap on compass - removes the fiddling with rotatable housing, string etc. It can only be used to set the map and because it is attached firmly to part of the child they have to turn themselves to see the map.
- Big Jon
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Re: Best compass for beginners
Jon's response is along the lines of Lynne's advanced feedback, it's just so simple to use, nothing to move or get wrong, it just works.
- Paul Frost
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Re: Best compass for beginners
Great, thanks for the advice everyone. I think we'll buy a few.
Will? We've got proper fire now!
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Becks - god
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Re: Best compass for beginners
CompassPoint also sell them - worth keeping money in orienteering!
https://www.compasspoint-online.co.uk/p ... t-compass/
https://www.compasspoint-online.co.uk/p ... t-compass/
- Big Jon
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Re: Best compass for beginners
BSOA is the British Schools Orienteering Association so buying from the BSOA helps support the annual British Schools Orienteering Championships.At only £10 this is as cheap as you can get them anywhere https://web210.secure-secure.co.uk/bsoa ... hopPage=20
- The mole
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Re: Best compass for beginners
The mole wrote:BSOA is the British Schools Orienteering Association so buying from the BSOA helps support the annual British Schools Orienteering Championships.At only £10 this is as cheap as you can get them anywhere https://web210.secure-secure.co.uk/bsoa ... hopPage=20
Sorry - missed that post! I agree BSOA is just as good as Compasspoint - and a bit cheaper
- Big Jon
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Re: Best compass for beginners
Big Jon wrote:I like the idea of the strap on compass - removes the fiddling with rotatable housing, string etc. It can only be used to set the map and because it is attached firmly to part of the child they have to turn themselves to see the map.
It can actually be used OK for rough bearings too (although for intermediate not beginners):
* line thumb parallel to direction of travel on map and point thumb straight ahead (not at an angle like with thumb compass)
* turn whole body till you align red end with magN on map keeping thumb pointing forwards
* Run
The first time I saw this used was by a certain JM when he came over to the JK in NI - he said he used it in the forest as well as in sprintO.
JK
- JK
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