You can use any compass in a pinch, but one of these is best and will make your life a lot easier. Here’s all the compass you’ll ever need for $15.

Using your compass, orient your map so that north is pointing to true north. (Pro tip: make sure the fixed grid lines on your compass line up with the north-south grid lines on your map.) ...

When taking a bearing, you’ll line it up with the red part of the needle. The baseplate, a rectangular surface that holds the compass housing.

Mentally split this angle in half. (For example, if the sun is at 4, envision a line across the face from 2 through 8.) — This angle is your north-south line. North is the point farthest from ...