Parts of a Compass - Orienteering

Index Pointer

butt end of the direction-of-travel arrow. It ends right at the edge of the dial and is where you take degree readings

Scales

each edge of a compass may have different rulers for use with different map scales

Magnifier

for seeing small map features better

Baseplate

hard, flat surface on which the rest of the compass is mounted. It has a rulers on its edges for measuring distances on maps. It's edge is straight and useful for laying lines on a map

Magnetic Needle

magnetized piece of metal that has one end painted red to indicate North. It sits on a fine point that is nearly frictionless so it rotates freely when the compass is held fairly level and steady

Housing

main part of the compass. It is a round plastic container filled with liquid and has the compass needle inside

Direction-of-travel arrow

marked on the base plate. You point this the way you will be traveling

Orienting Arrow

marked on the floor of the housing. It rotates with the housing when the dial is turned. You use it to orient a compass to a map

Graduating Dial

ring around the housing that has degree markings engraved. You hold the dial and rotate it to rotate the entire housing

Orienting Lines

series of parallel lines marked on the floor of the housing and on the base plate