Wilderness Navigation: Finding Your Way Using Map, Compass, Altimeter & GPS, 3rd Edition (Mountaineers Outdoor Basics)

Excellent Book on Map and Compass but only one chapter on GPS. And most of the chapter is on how to buy a GPS.However I still must rate this with 5 stars since it is an excellent book on navigation, one of the very best. A compass doesn't need batteries so it is failproof. And it is diffcult for a compass to give a false reading. This information on how to read and navigate using a map is vital to know. The GPS shows this map and you need to know how to read it.. My days of map and compass training is what makes the GPS simple.

Solid piece of work. Seems to be accurate. I’m not a fan of plastic but a compass made of non-magnetic metal would probably be some kind of expensive.

I have read Be Expert with Map and Compass (over a decade ago) and this book. I found this book went into a lot of information about map types, how to use a compass for various purposes, and how to use a compass in case you are lost. Lots of tips for getting around in the wilderness with a map as well as what to do when lost. I think it was worth the money spent. Be Expert with Map and compass seemed to have more on orienteering competition concepts, such as how to determine the best route in order to hit control points in an orienteering competition.But I do have a few concerns. One, the author doesn't recommend any compasses that don't have a declination adjustment. I went out and bought one that has such an adjustment as a result. But then, upon doing more research, learned that for orienteering competition organizers normally provide a map that has MAGNETIC north lines drawn on it -- not the True North lines with recommended declination adjustment at the bottom. If the author has spelled out that compasses without a declination adjustment feature are just fine for orienteering competitions, I would not have purchased the fancy compass with a declination screw and sighting mirror.Two, there is a table that compares features of various name brand compasses, which was really helpful, but I think it could be expanded to indicate whether the compass has a declination screw or other means of adjusting declination. I had to spend a lot of time online figuring this out from often poorly worded product descriptions that didn't indicate if these feature actually existed on the compasses. It was only when I saw the declination screw driver on some models that I actually had confidence the product had that adjustment capability.Three -- I had to really look at a few diagrams to understand the point. For example, there is one compass diagram that shows how a declination adjustment has been made. With how many arrows there are (orienting arrow, magnetic arrow, baseplate arrow) and the various ways you can read a bearing on a compass, some leader lines indicating where to look would have been helpful.He goes into altimeters and GPS, which was good, although I didn't read that part since I'm not interested in it right now.But I still am glad I have the book, and will be referring to it as my knowledge of orienteering grows. Already I needed to consult it about what township lines are, and where to get maps.

Nice book arrived at super speed

This is, by far, the best written book on basic land navigation that I have read. The subject is explained in clear and concise terms that leave no doubt in the mind of the reader as to what the authors are saying. Ir proceeds in a step by step logical fashion and those who choose to read it, and master its techniques, will be well equipped tp proceed with wilderness navigation.Two other observation. First, buy a full size Topo 1:24K to use with the book One of the few weaknesses of this book ( as well as all others) is that the maps used in the book are too small and poorly reproduced.Also, i may have missed it but the author really should emphasize more the need to go out and practice in areas that you already know very well---especially with taking azimuths , intersection and resection. "Picking out point" on your map sounds easy reading it in a book but it is a whole different story in real. Practicing ( and getting a good handle on contours) is a must if you are going to do serious wilderness navigation.

Provided complete introduction to map reading and compass use. Well written and easy to understand. The only book you’ll need.

The seller keep me updated the entire time on the book. When it appeared the book would be late I was emailed about this and received it early the next day. That is the way you run a business. Thank you for the excellent service. Now to the book:The book is great and covers many important parts of navigation. I have never seen one book that covers everything but this book comes close. I highly recommend this book to start your journey into navigation.

I'm a bit disappointed with this since it is a very basic book, which is probably why most people give it high reviews. I suggest it if you are new to land navigation, but don't bother if you know the basics of a compass and map.My big gripe is that this is geared toward the baseplate compass. He doesn't address the other types out there (e.g. lensatic "GI" compasses.[1] And pass by this if you are interested in using a transit). He does go over the basic mirror sighting compass.You can download the Army Field Manual FM 3-25.26Map Reading and Land Navigation: FM 3-25.26 if you need this level of navigating skill to use a lensatic compass, but the basics of a sighting compass will sort of help you in using a lensatic compass. But I wouldn't suggest the field manual unless you already have some navigation skill.On the other hand, this book will keep you from getting lost if you do go into the wilderness, but don't skip the first four chapters.[1] there are a couple of ways to use one of these. Most of the vids out there show the hard way to do it.