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Instructions for a Lensatic Compass

If you are trying to navigate through a natural landscape, having a compass on hand can make the difference between getting lost or staying on track. A lensatic compass utilizes a lens and a directional arrow to help you determine which direction something is from you, or which way you need to travel. By following a few easy instructions, you will be able to use the compass to keep yourself facing in the right direction.

Instructions

- 1
  Open your compass and adjust the device so that the top part of the case is at a 90-degree angle to the bottom of the case. Adjust the lens sight so that it is at about a 30-degree angle from the bottom of the compass. The compass dial should float freely and move as you rotate the compass.
- 2
  Slide your thumb through the loop hole at the bottom of the compass. Hold the compass level with your thumb and pointer finger. Position yourself so that the object or direction you plan to move toward is directly in front of you. Raise the compass to your eye level. Move the compass so that the center of the slit in the top part of the compass is lined up with the lens sight and the object or direction.
- 3
  Do not move your head or the compass, and try to keep the compass level while you read the dial. You will see the compass needle pointing to the north on the dial. You will also see a red mark on the dial directly under your line of sight indicating the direction of your object or direction on the dial. If it is not a direct direction (i.e. north or west) you will see a number indicating the number of degrees the object is from north. Ninety corresponds to west, 180 to south and 270 to east.

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