Navigation books?

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THOaken

Native
Jan 21, 2013
1,299
1
30
England(Scottish Native)
For those who haven't read the book and don't know what I'm trying to explain, I've recorded a little video which clearly shows the contradictions in the book. It's not a bad book, not at all, the theory is all there and it's very detailed, but when it comes to the lesson plan things seem rather contradictory. I would appreciate a watch as I went through the trouble of making this video. Hopefully we can clarify this. Thank you.

Kind regards, THOaken.

[video=youtube_share;Cw5EniOpcBU]http://youtu.be/Cw5EniOpcBU[/video]
 
N

Nomad

Guest
At 1:36, read the bit in the green box at the top...

"by rotating the map to align with north you will match the position of the features you can see around you to those on the map"

Lets rephrase...

"rotating the map until the position of the features you can see around you match those on the map will align the map towards north"

No compass required.

With the map thus set (orienting a map by aligning its symbols to the matching features on the ground is called setting a map), it would be straightforward enough to use any old protractor to take bearings. (Or even by eye if one is good at estimating angles.)
 

mrcharly

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Jan 25, 2011
3,257
44
North Yorkshire, UK
Nomad has said what I was about to say. A compass isn't the only tool you can use to orient a map.

If you are standing next to a road, you've identified the road on the map, then there are only two possible orientations for the map. Identify one more feature and you now know the correct orientation.
 

xylaria

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)

Thank you.
This link is really easy to understand. The old man has tried teaching me and the boy navigation, and we just got lost. I have always used the look at the features and line up map with features thing, never really knowing how to use a compass properly. I used to walk around cannock without even a map, just remembering lie of the land. The brecons arent safe unless you can use a map and compass.
 

rik_uk3

Banned
Jun 10, 2006
13,320
24
69
south wales
At 1:36, read the bit in the green box at the top...

"by rotating the map to align with north you will match the position of the features you can see around you to those on the map"

Lets rephrase...

"rotating the map until the position of the features you can see around you match those on the map will align the map towards north"

No compass required.

With the map thus set (orienting a map by aligning its symbols to the matching features on the ground is called setting a map), it would be straightforward enough to use any old protractor to take bearings. (Or even by eye if one is good at estimating angles.)


Thank you, saved me writing much the same and I hope this clears up the young lads 'confusion'.
 

rik_uk3

Banned
Jun 10, 2006
13,320
24
69
south wales
Thank you.
This link is really easy to understand. The old man has tried teaching me and the boy navigation, and we just got lost. I have always used the look at the features and line up map with features thing, never really knowing how to use a compass properly. I used to walk around cannock without even a map, just remembering lie of the land. The brecons arent safe unless you can use a map and compass.

Its plain and simple and I hope the OP reads it too.
 

Goatboy

Full Member
Jan 31, 2005
14,956
17
Scotland
Yes, and they are good, Wingstoo. The theory is all there. Please understand that I'm just trying to, well, understand why such a popular book, The Ultimate Navigation Manual, has such a confusing structure. That is what concerns me at the moment. If I don't have any luck trying to understand the UNM I will turn to your manuals.

I'll repeat again for those with the UNM. I'm not finding the theory of the book hard to understand, I'm just confused as to why there are so many contradictions in lesson plan 1. I don't know if I'm supposed to use a compass or not and I don't know why the author writes about bearings and also mentions a compass in the same sentence when, apparently, you all say that the very first lesson in the plan has nothing to do with compasses. Let me explain again, because I REALLY need this clarified:
I'm not sure what I'm supposed to actually do for lesson plan 1 and I don't know if I'm supposed to use a compass or not. That is definitely not clear. Orienting my map requires a compass. I don't know what he means by bearings because the author keeps bringing bearings up but also mentions or shows a compass in the same page. I'll repeat again that I know what a bearing is, but the ultimate problem I'm having with the lesson is the sheer contradiction. A compass isn't listed in the equipment you will need section, so why is there loads of content in lesson 1 about bearings and using a compass?

I really don't know if I'm explaining this right. I know what I mean.

Teaching navigation is relatively simple, writing about navigation isn't. There are a bewildering amount of ... well bewildering books out there. Showing really is easier. Peter Cliff is the best I've found so far. There is some interactive software which makes the task of teaching somewhat easier.

One of the ones I use to teach sometimes is "The Art Of Outdoor Navigation" by Martyn Hurn. Keeps it simple and breaks it down into well sized wee chunks, and the graphics though basic (maybe because they're basic?) get the point across easily. There are some books and a GPS /navigation book on my shelf right now (where it stays) confuse even a relatively good navigator like me.

So maybe going a little high(er) tech would held in that it's actually showing you and getting to you physically go through stages may help. Putting it into purely written word seems to be a black art for most.

Good luck,
GB.
 

Retired Member southey

M.A.B (Mad About Bushcraft)
Jun 4, 2006
11,098
13
your house!
Hello chap. I have tried to pm you but to no avail. A problem my end perhapse. I live north of you, near basingstoke. If your able to and want to travel to me and we can go out for the day and I can teach you how to navigate with a map and compass. All I ask for in payment is a custard cream. Just one!

Sent from my SM-C105 using Tapatalk
 

rik_uk3

Banned
Jun 10, 2006
13,320
24
69
south wales
For those who haven't read the book and don't know what I'm trying to explain, I've recorded a little video which clearly shows the contradictions in the book. It's not a bad book, not at all, the theory is all there and it's very detailed, but when it comes to the lesson plan things seem rather contradictory. I would appreciate a watch as I went through the trouble of making this video. Hopefully we can clarify this. Thank you.

Kind regards, THOaken.

[video=youtube_share;Cw5EniOpcBU]http://youtu.be/Cw5EniOpcBU[/video]


I've watched some of your video's and really you must change the introduction. "Hello, Thoken from BCUK here" as it could be seen by some viewers as you representing BCUK when in fact your just a member so try and clarify that for viewers who don't know you and your history.

Well produced produced videos though, just the misleading intro.
 

THOaken

Native
Jan 21, 2013
1,299
1
30
England(Scottish Native)
I've watched some of your video's and really you must change the introduction. "Hello, Thoken from BCUK here" as it could be seen by some viewers as you representing BCUK when in fact your just a member so try and clarify that for viewers who don't know you and your history.

Well produced produced videos though, just the misleading intro.
The video is simply and only for Bushcraft UK. I also set it to unlisted so only the people with the link can see it and as I've only posted it here only Bushcraft UK forum members have seen it. I'll be deleting it soon anyway.
 

shaggystu

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Nov 10, 2003
4,345
33
Derbyshire
Hello chap. I have tried to pm you but to no avail. A problem my end perhapse. I live north of you, near basingstoke. If your able to and want to travel to me and we can go out for the day and I can teach you how to navigate with a map and compass. All I ask for in payment is a custard cream. Just one!

Sent from my SM-C105 using Tapatalk

This is by far and away the best offer you're going to get THOaken. Take the man up on it. A day out with someone who knows what they're talking about (and southey knows what he's talking about) is worth all the book learning in the world.

Cheers,

Stuart.
 

rik_uk3

Banned
Jun 10, 2006
13,320
24
69
south wales
The video is simply and only for Bushcraft UK. I also set it to unlisted so only the people with the link can see it and as I've only posted it here only Bushcraft UK forum members have seen it. I'll be deleting it soon anyway.

Good and well done. For future public videos you may do, please keep the introduction clear. Nicely made though.
 

THOaken

Native
Jan 21, 2013
1,299
1
30
England(Scottish Native)
Good and well done. For future public videos you may do, please keep the introduction clear. Nicely made though.
It's actually standard procedure, Rik. For all the videos I post on Bushcraft UK, for the most part, like all the old ones in which I was asking questions about firesteels and things, I've been setting to "Unlisted" on Youtube. No one has seen them apart from BCUK members.

And thanks.
 

wingstoo

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
May 12, 2005
2,274
40
South Marches
Rik, how did you know about the access to the Air cadet training manuals?

I used to teach a few of the subjects within the arsenal of ACPs, especially the Navigation subjects to both Air cadets and St Johns cadets, and they all found the information very easy to follow, after all it is aimed at youngsters between 13 and 14 years of age, so shouldn't be too difficult for most adults...


Have you followed the links and found any of the other subjects useful, not only the navigation but comms, but maybe propulsion as well.

There are Power point lessons already made up for Basic Navigation at http://871penn.htjfc.org/basic-navigation/view-category.html set out in five lessons with a test paper on it as well...
 

rik_uk3

Banned
Jun 10, 2006
13,320
24
69
south wales
I came across it when looking at teaching aids for helping me with my five (almost) six year old grandson whom I'm teaching to read a map. He can set a map and is remembering more and more of the symbols. He'll have it cracked long before he's in the Scouts :)
 

wingstoo

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
May 12, 2005
2,274
40
South Marches
I came across it when looking at teaching aids for helping me with my five (almost) six year old grandson whom I'm teaching to read a map. He can set a map and is remembering more and more of the symbols. He'll have it cracked long before he's in the Scouts :)

Have you made up some flash cards for him Rik?

If he is doing well with the ACPs they have probably set the level just right for the cadets ;)
 

rik_uk3

Banned
Jun 10, 2006
13,320
24
69
south wales
No flash cards just yet, not needed at the moment but will do as and when required. I had a great time in the cadets back in brum and the scouts for that matter...happy days with both.
 

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