Messages

1

New Techniques & Learning / Re: Teaching Methods

« on: January 21, 2012, 10:24:11 PM »

Using the compass as a protractor to take a bearing from a map was something that was not made clear to me when learning navigation as a youngster. I was always distracted by the compass needle.

Now that I'm in a position of teaching it I've successfully used the tool shown in the link to explain the simple concept that eluded me. i.e it's just an angle measured from North.

http://www.dooyoo.de/outdoor-zubehoer/silva-kartenwinkelmesser/

It's a baseplate and flat rotatable compass "housing" with orienting lines only and it helps to explain things by removing that pesky needle from the equation.

Not everyone learns or teaches in the same way but I thought this might just add to someone else's training tool kit.

2

General navigational Kit / Re: Fresnel Lenses

« on: December 08, 2011, 11:44:57 PM »

Here's my little report on the high qualfrensals that  Lyle in October sent out for a field test.

The lens fits into a standard credit card wallet which is handy for all occasions.
The protective cover is fine, and is necessary, but it is quite fiddly to remove the lens with gloved hands.
I haven't put a lanyard on the one I have but I think this would be essential for regular hill use.
The optical ridges have become a bit dirty with either mineral stains or oil from fingers, marks that won't come off with an optical cloth. ( I haven't tried it but I'm sure this could be solved with mild detergent, a rinse and dried with a cloth)
In use at night , in conjunction with a head torch and an OS 1:50,000 map the results were excellent. Wearing my distance glasses, I could see very small features in super detail.
The red brown contour lines were not washed out and very  clear although the light blue grid lines were a bit more difficult to see clearly.
When in focus I could readily read small details on a map section representing a 3 by 2 Km area.
Finding and keeping the focal distance took a bit of getting used to but I found a "hand span" distance worked. This could be repeated easily by holding the lens between thumb and forefinger and using my extended pinky to guide my hand height above the map.

The lens is definitely an improvement and it allows you to see a big section of map in really good detail. The biggest downside, for which I can't immediately  think of an improvement for, is the difficulty of using it with gloved hands. Perhaps some sort of lolipop stick glued on might help.

Thanks for the opportunity of testing this out.

3

General navigational Kit / Re: Four eyes.

« on: October 26, 2011, 11:22:43 PM »

Lyle - many thanks. The lens arrived today and I'm looking forward to using it and reporting back.

Gordon

4

General navigational Kit / Re: Four eyes.

« on: October 17, 2011, 04:02:18 PM »

Lyle - many thanks for offer of testing out the magnifying lenses. Will PM my details.

5

General navigational Kit / Four eyes.

« on: September 26, 2011, 12:33:36 PM »

Reading glasses wearers - what practical steps do you take to read maps say, in stormy, wet and dark mountain weather?

I have to now wear glasses for distance, but also for reading, and I've noticed myself becoming reluctant to get involved map reading on hill walking or mountaineering trips due to the faff of taking glasses on and off, contending with a flapping hood, head torch straps, compass cords whipping around, and the bleaching out effect of a head torch through a transparent map cover.

I've now resorted to carrying an inspector Clouseau magnifying glass and  simply turning my back to the wind as best I can. 

Any good tips out there?

6

New Member Introductions / Introduction

« on: September 26, 2011, 12:23:16 PM »

Just to say hello to all you.

Looking forward to picking up and learning new things. I'm a reasonably experienced hill goer and probably okay at navigation, but I'd like to use this as a prompt to get much more actively involved in the subject.