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Subject: Mounted search and rescue
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- From: "Irvin Lichtenstein" <ilichten1@verizon.net>
- To: "'Mounted search and rescue'" <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
- Subject: Re: [MSAR] Compass for SAR
- Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2010 22:34:59 -0500
For the over 30 years I have been using compasses I have found the most
reliable to those in aircraft but it is hard to take a gyro on a horse. Realistically, what we used to call the $9.95 special was usually more
than adequate. The features to look for are: 1.
repeatability—if I take a
bearing from the same place to the same point is it within 5 degrees magnetic
each time? 2.
clear base so I can see the map through the compass 3.
map scales or ruler edge along base—self explanatory 4.
5 degree graduations 5.
lanyard holes or even better a lanyard with it 6.
needle bearing is a all angle—can’t knock
needle off 7.
reflective marks on needle so you can tell which end is
which 8.
large enough to be seen and read to 5 degrees 9.
large enough to be found if dropped but not large enough to
maim you if it hits you 10.large enough to be held in frozen hands 11.all weather, no temperature limits, no
water problems 12.nice to have: flexible bezel so I take a
bearing and set the outer ring to it as an aiming stick 13.nice to have: a lensatic feature (mirror
in lid and sight), again for aiming The most important feature of a land
navigation compass, particularly on horseback, is the brain of the user. Most of our sight lines are short here in
the woods, and being able to spot landmarks or terrain features and associate
them with the maps and the image the command post is trying to create is what
is important. I worry that a field task has missed a bend in the creek or
a drainage, not that they are 44.5 degrees north of west on course.
Besides, unless someone has very competent navigation equipment you are never
going to hold course to a degree on a horse. Irv Lichtenstein Chief of Operations |
-
Re: [MSAR] MSAR-Riders Digest, Vol 83, Issue 2,
Dion Petaros, 01/22/2010
-
[MSAR] Compass for SAR,
Una Smith, 01/22/2010
-
Re: [MSAR] Compass for SAR,
E.S., 01/22/2010
-
Re: [MSAR] Compass for SAR,
Una Smith, 01/22/2010
-
Re: [MSAR] Compass for SAR,
E.S., 01/22/2010
- Re: [MSAR] Compass for SAR, Una Smith, 01/22/2010
-
Re: [MSAR] Compass for SAR,
forgednstl, 01/22/2010
- Re: [MSAR] Compass for SAR, Una Smith, 01/22/2010
- Re: [MSAR] Compass for SAR, Irvin Lichtenstein, 01/22/2010
-
Re: [MSAR] Compass for SAR,
E.S., 01/22/2010
-
Re: [MSAR] Compass for SAR,
Una Smith, 01/22/2010
-
Re: [MSAR] Compass for SAR,
E.S., 01/22/2010
- [MSAR] Land nav training in Georgia USA, Una Smith, 01/22/2010
-
[MSAR] Compass for SAR,
Una Smith, 01/22/2010
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