The diagram shows a Silva Compass which is an orienteering compass. The orienteering compass is the best choice when used in tandem with a topographic map and its adjustable features make it useful in the field. You can see the different parts as labeled.

 

Base Plate (1)

The transparent part that you hold or place on the map. It is the bottom piece that 'holds' everything else.

 

Housing (2)

The housing stores the moving parts of the compass including the needle and water that suspends the needle. Should an air bubble form in the housing, the compass is considered to be rendered useless as it can no longer more freely and thus is not accurate.

 

The magnetic needle is held suspended in water in the housing. This is the key part of a compass as it points towards the magnetic north.

 

The part that points you in the right direction. You are able to turn this to the bearing you wish to head and follow it.

 

You could use these to orientate a map (although the edge would be more accurate) by aligning the lines with the grid lines on a topographic map.

 

The bearings that go around the compass housing helps you to orientate the compass so that you can travel in a direction other than north or south.

 

The glass helps make the tiny symbols on a topographic map less tiny.

 

The name of this part says it all. Where it tells you to go, you follow! But be sure to know how to use a compass first.

 

Scales are important and useful. They help you tell straight line distance in a second. Look for the scale that is labeled "1:50000" (located on the right of the compass). Using that, you instantly tell kilometers on the actual ground as the scale tells you so. Likewise with the 1:25000(located on the left of the compass)on the correct scaled map. The metric distance measurements (in millimeters)(located on the top of the compass) will help you if the map you have is of neither scale.

Navigate with a Silva Compass | Or with an orienteering compass