Have you ever noticed that many high-end compasses have a mirror built into them?
Have you wondered what the mirror was for?
Maybe it’s to signal for help in an emergency? Or possibly to help insert your contact lenses? Perhaps it lets rugged outdoorsmen check their makeup before starting the campfire?
Wilderness Navigation using your Compass Mirror
As you probably guessed, the mirror helps you navigate more accurately using your compass. You can aim the compass more precisely when you shoot a bearing.
John McCann is the founder of Survival Resources, an online retailer of survival equipment. John ran his own survival school for many years. And he makes some interesting instructional videos like the one below. In this video, John explains the difference between two types of compasses you find in outdoor equipment stores: The baseplate compass and the mirror compass. He shows you how each is used to shoot a bearing – and why a compass with a mirror is more accurate for wilderness navigation.
In the video, John uses the phrase “put Red Fred in the shed.” You can learn what that means from this article.
Enjoy the video! And let me know what you think in the comments section at the bottom of this page.
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