equipment$35–70used in 2 side quests
Baseplate compass with declination adjustment
A handheld navigation compass with a rotating bezel that lets you correct for the difference between magnetic north and true north in your region. The clear baseplate shows map grids underneath, and most include a sighting mirror for taking bearings on distant landmarks.
What to look for
- 1Declination adjustment scale that rotates independently—lets you set your local offset once instead of doing math every reading
- 2Sighting mirror that folds flat—doubles accuracy for distance bearings and lets you check you're walking straight
- 3Liquid-dampened needle that settles in 3–4 seconds instead of spinning endlessly
- 4Ruler markings along the baseplate edge in both inches and centimeters for map work
- 5Rotating bezel with 2-degree increments (smaller markings get hard to read in field conditions)
Skip
- Button compasses or zipper-pull models without baseplates—too inaccurate for actual navigation
- Compasses without any declination feature if you're learning map navigation (you'll develop bad habits)
Used for: learning map-and-compass navigation independent of GPS · taking accurate bearings on landmarks during urban exploration · teaching directional awareness skills · backcountry hiking or orienteering
Side quests that use it
Pick the adventure first; the gear follows.
