{"id":1332,"date":"2022-05-01T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-05-01T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/guides\/beginners-guide-to-the-compass\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T11:33:14","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T11:33:14","slug":"different-types-of-compass","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/guides\/different-types-of-compass\/","title":{"rendered":"What Kind of Compass do I Need"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t<header id=\"block_2f0afbddaf44777731d290256fd4bdb3\" class=\"SingleHero skip-lazy default\">\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"SingleHero__categories\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/activities\/map-reading\/\" class=\"category\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMap Reading\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/activities\/beginners-guides\/\" class=\"category\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBeginner&#8217;s guides\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"SingleHero__title\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat Kind of Compass do I Need\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row justify-content-center align-items-center SingleHero__author\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto name\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBy Jonathan Elder\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"SingleHero__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tPublished on \t\t\t\t\t\t<time datetime=\"2022-05-01T00:00:00+00:00\" itemprop=\"datePublished\">May 1, 2022<\/time>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"dot\"><\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t4 min read\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"SingleHero__thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"585\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/using20a20compass20guide20hero.d635ad0f1f03d16ac80ae9884a3c9df0.jpg\" class=\"attachment-hd size-hd wp-post-image\" alt=\"using20a20compass20guide20hero.d635ad0f1f03d16ac80ae9884a3c9df0\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/using20a20compass20guide20hero.d635ad0f1f03d16ac80ae9884a3c9df0.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/using20a20compass20guide20hero.d635ad0f1f03d16ac80ae9884a3c9df0-300x91.jpg 300w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/using20a20compass20guide20hero.d635ad0f1f03d16ac80ae9884a3c9df0-1024x312.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/using20a20compass20guide20hero.d635ad0f1f03d16ac80ae9884a3c9df0-768x234.jpg 768w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/using20a20compass20guide20hero.d635ad0f1f03d16ac80ae9884a3c9df0-1536x468.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/using20a20compass20guide20hero.d635ad0f1f03d16ac80ae9884a3c9df0-1376x419.jpg 1376w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/header>\n\n\t\n\n\n\t\t<article id=\"block_dcab11583d612c53027f767b880712c1\" class=\"Universal Universal--post c-small default pt-default pb-default mt-none mb-none    \" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"InnerBlocks\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"lead\"><\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-types-of-compass-and-their-features\">Types of compass and their features <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We take a look at the different types of compass, such as a baseplate compass, and explain how to orientate a map with one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether you are out walking or cycling or simply driving somewhere new, being able to use a compass is a great skill that will always come in handy. Rather than just showing north, modern compasses have many features to assist in planning and navigation.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Without a compass, you can still use your map by relying on visible features, but a compass allows you to be more accurate and navigate where there are few obvious landscape features,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"blog-buttons\">\n\n<a class=\"btn\" href=\"https:\/\/shop.osmaps.com\/pathfinder-guide-navigation-skills-for-walkers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Navigation Skills for Walkers <i class=\"fa fa-arrow-right\"><\/i><\/a>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-types-of-compass\">Types of compass<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are loads of magnetic compasses available, from ones attached to penknives to huge, expensive ships compasses. Here&#8217;s some of the most common:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-basic-compass\">Basic compass<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"images-with-captions\">\n    <div class=\"image-with-caption\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/site\/uploads\/images\/2018champs\/Blog%20imagery\/basic%20compass%20guide.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"basic compass how to use guide&nbsp;\">\n        <p>Silva Pocket Compass <\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>This will tell you which way is north, but without a rotating bezel or an easy way of alignment, it will never be very accurate. They are inexpensive, but very cheap ones can be poor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Best for:<\/strong> driving and road cycling where you only need the approximate direction, or as an emergency spare<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-baseplate-or-orienteering-compass\">Baseplate or orienteering compass<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"images-with-captions\">\n    <div class=\"image-with-caption\">\n        \n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/site\/uploads\/images\/2018champs\/Blog%20imagery\/orienteering%20compass%20guide.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Orienteering compass\">\n        \n        <p>OS Compass <\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>This is probably the most flexible type, as it can be used for taking bearings, setting a heading and measuring distances. The clear base allows it to be laid on top of the map.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Best for:<\/strong> accurate navigation with a map<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-mirror-compass\">Mirror compass <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"images-with-captions\">\n    <div class=\"image-with-caption\">\n        \n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/site\/uploads\/images\/2023%20Blog\/os-mirror-compass.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"OS Mirror Compass&nbsp;\">\n        \n        <p>OS Mirror Compass <\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Some more advanced compasses have&nbsp;mirror housing.&nbsp;The mirror allows the user to see the bezel and the landscape at the same time improving accuracy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Best for: <\/strong>long treks in pathless terrain<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-sighting-compass\">Sighting compass<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"images-with-captions\">\n    <div class=\"image-with-caption\">\n        \n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/site\/uploads\/images\/2018champs\/Blog%20imagery\/sighting%20compass%20guide.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Sighting compass\">\n        \n        <p>Source: Wikimedia commons &#8211; Adamantios<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>This compass is designed to make it easy to take a bearing from a distant object, and are still often used by the military. They don&#8217;t have all the features you may want, but can be very accurate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Best for: <\/strong>Using triangulation to work out exactly where you are<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"blog-buttons\">\n    <a class=\"btn\" href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/guides\/which-compass-is-best-for-me\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Which compass is best for me? <i class=\"fa fa-arrow-right\"><\/i><\/a>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-know-your-compass\">Know your compass<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"images-with-captions\">\n    <div class=\"image-with-caption\">\n        \n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/site\/uploads\/images\/2018champs\/Blog%20imagery\/knowing%20your%20compass.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Diagram of compass map reading&nbsp;\">\n        \n        <p>A compass and its features <\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Baseplate<\/strong> &#8211; The mounting of the compass. Clear, so when placed on top of the map you can still see the map features<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Compass housing<\/strong> &#8211; Contains the magnetic needle and has the points of the compass printed on a circular, rotating bezel.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Compass needle <\/strong>&#8211; Floats in liquid so it can rotate freely but without being too sensitive to movement, the red end points to magnetic north.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Orienting lines<\/strong> &#8211; Fixed within the compass housing and designed to be aligned with the eastings on a map.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Orienting arrow<\/strong> &#8211; Fixed within the compass housing, aligned to north on the housing. Enables conversion between grid and magnetic north.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Magnetic variation<\/strong> &#8211; allows accurateadjustment for magnetic variation or declination<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Index line<\/strong> &#8211; Fixed beneath the rotating bezel of the compass, it marks the bearing you wish to travel along.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Direction of travel arrow<\/strong> &#8211; Shows the direction that you want to travel along once you have taken your bearing. It is an extension of the index line.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Compass scale<\/strong> &#8211; Displayed along the edge of the base plate so you can measure distances on maps.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-features-of-a-compass-with-steve-backshall\">Features of a compass with Steve Backshall<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Features of a compass with Steve Backshall and Ordnance Survey\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/5w4qKnfJwwo?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1&#038;origin=https%253A%252F%252Fosmaps.com%252Fdiscover\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-using-your-compass\">Using your compass<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"images-with-captions\">\n    <div class=\"image-with-caption\">\n        \n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/site\/uploads\/images\/2018champs\/Blog%20imagery\/compass%20guide%20nav%201.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"how to orientate a map\">\n        \n        <p>How to orientate a map<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Where do you want to go?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>From your starting point on the map, place the index line on an imaginary line between where you are now and where you want to be \u2013 with the direction of travel arrow on the base plate pointing the way. Start by drawing a line from A to B now.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Holding the baseplate in place, rotate the compass housing so the orienting arrow lines up with grid north on the map. The orienting lines should be parallel with the vertical blue grid lines (eastings).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"images-with-captions\">\n    <div class=\"image-with-caption\">\n        \n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/site\/uploads\/images\/2018champs\/Blog%20imagery\/compass%20guide%20nav.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Adjust for magnetic variation\">\n        \n        <p>Adjust for magnetic variationim<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Your compass does not point to grid north. Magnetic north throughout Great Britain can range from 0\u00ba to 5\u00ba. The amount of variation changes every year, so check your OS map to work out the most current value. You\u2019ll find this in the map legend. Add magnetic variation to your bearing by rotating the compass housing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"images-with-captions\">\n    <div class=\"image-with-caption\">\n        \n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/site\/uploads\/images\/2018champs\/Blog%20imagery\/compass%20guide%20nav%202.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Adjust the compass guide map reading\">\n        \n        <p>Adjust the compass, line up the arrow and follow the direction of travel <\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Take your compass off the map. Hold your compass flat at waist height and turn yourself until the red needle meets up with the letter N and is positioned over the orienting arrow. You\u2019re ready to go. The red direction of travel arrow will point the way.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Compass readings are also affected by the presence of iron and steel objects, so be sure to look out for \u2013 and stay away from \u2013 pocket knives, belt buckles, mobiles and GPS devices when using your compass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"blog-buttons\">\n    <a class=\"btn\" href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/guides\/beginners-guide-to-using-a-compass\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Beginners guide to using a compass <i class=\"fa fa-arrow-right\"><\/i><\/a>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-take-a-compass-bearing-with-steve-backshall\">How to take a compass bearing with Steve Backshall<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How to take a compass bearing with Steve Backshall and Ordnance Survey\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/rZd0RfsC-9I?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1&#038;origin=https%253A%252F%252Fosmaps.com%252Fdiscover\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"tip\">\n\t<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/site\/img\/exclamation-mark.svg\" alt=\"\"><\/figure><div class=\"tip-exclamation\">\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\t<h4>\u200bTop tip<\/h4>\n\t<p>The red end of the compass points to north, the black end points to south<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-using-land-features-instead\">Using land features instead<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As an alternative to using a compass to orientate your map, you can use your eyesight. This method will only work if you are in an area with visible prominent features or landmarks. First, locate yourself next to a feature or landmark and place your finger on the map at the point where you are standing. Then begin to rotate the map so that other features and landmarks on the map begin to line up with the actual ones you can see. The map is now orientated with the land, although not as accurately as it would be using a compass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>For more information on map reading, take a look our collection of guides. We have those for <a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/guides\/beginners-guides-map-reading\/\">beginners<\/a> just starting out on their map reading journey, as well as those who are more <a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/guides\/beginners-guides-map-reading\/\">advanced <\/a>and looking to hone their skills or set themselves a challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"MetaShare\">\n\n\t\t\t<button id=\"likeButton\" data-nonce=\"50b75bdf00\" data-postid=\"1332\" class=\"Button Button--default Button--icon likeButton\"><span class=\"likeButtonText\">Like this guide<\/span><svg width=\"21\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 21 20\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M10.4947 3.09742C8.5448 1.39335 5.66108 1.04464 3.42166 2.95804C0.999337 5.02773 0.647396 8.5134 2.56291 10.9783C3.29002 11.9139 4.70917 13.3196 6.07302 14.6069C7.45283 15.9092 8.82946 17.1399 9.50834 17.7411C9.51258 17.7449 9.51691 17.7487 9.5213 17.7526C9.58512 17.8092 9.66457 17.8796 9.74074 17.937C9.83194 18.0057 9.96286 18.0909 10.1377 18.1431C10.3701 18.2124 10.62 18.2124 10.8524 18.1431C11.0272 18.0909 11.1581 18.0057 11.2493 17.937C11.3255 17.8796 11.405 17.8092 11.4688 17.7526C11.4732 17.7487 11.4775 17.7449 11.4817 17.7411C12.1606 17.1399 13.5373 15.9092 14.9171 14.6069C16.2809 13.3196 17.7001 11.9139 18.4272 10.9783C20.3353 8.52288 20.0377 5.01032 17.5597 2.95074C15.2954 1.06872 12.4424 1.3927 10.4947 3.09742Z\" fill=\"#186571\"\/>\n<\/svg>\n<\/button>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"row justify-content-center MetaShareSocial\" aria-label=\"Share\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"X\" class=\"Button Button--default MetaShareSocial__button MetaShareSocial__button--x\" id=\"share-twitter\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><g transform=\"translate(-173 238)\"><path d=\"M18.9.75h3.68l-8.04,9.213L24,22.5H16.594l-5.8-7.6L4.156,22.5H.474l8.6-9.854L0,.75H7.594L12.837,7.7ZM17.61,20.291h2.039L6.486,2.843H4.3Z\" transform=\"translate(173 -237.625)\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"facebook\"  class=\"Button Button--default MetaShareSocial__button MetaShareSocial__button--f\" id=\"share-facebook\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><g transform=\"translate(-89 238)\"><path d=\"M14.186,24V13.2h3.279L18,8.4H14.186V6.062c0-1.236.032-2.462,1.759-2.462h1.749V.168A19.34,19.34,0,0,0,14.671,0C11.5,0,9.508,1.989,9.508,5.64V8.4H6v4.8H9.508V24Z\" transform=\"translate(89 -238)\" fill=\"currentColor\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"\/><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div id=\"likeCount\" class=\"likeCount\">Liked by <span id=\"likeCountValue\">29<\/span> users<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<hr class=\"MetaShare__hr\" \/>\n\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"MetaShareAuthor\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"MetaShareAuthor__name\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBy Jonathan Elder\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"MetaShareAuthor__desc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Jonathan helps run the OS Shop and GetOutside, and in his free time can be found walking, playing computer games or, in the winter, falling off mountains with a plank of wood strapped to his feet.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Improve your map reading skills with this beginner&#8217;s guide to the compass. We take a look at the different types of compass, such as a baseplate compass, and explain how to orientate a map with one.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1331,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"activities":[44,36],"locations":[],"class_list":["post-1332","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","activities-beginners-guides","activities-map-reading"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Types of compass and their features | OS GetOutside<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"We take a look at the different types of compass, such as a baseplate compass, and explain how to orientate a map with one.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, 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