"Roger Long" wrote in message
...
But, and Larry too, he said he was using a reference compass. Since he is
not a sailor, I doubt that it is a gyro compass.

Probably metal on his person. The reference compass may not be a
reference unless it is a pretty good one. It wouldn't surprise me either
for the little compass in the binoculars to be off by that amount either.

I wonder how far away the reference compass is while he is making these
checks.

It sure is a lot easier to get a good magnetic reference, with proper
variation information, since GPS.

--
Roger Long



I wonder if he should get an updated chart for his area.
He should be able to situitate himself at one of the 'landmarks' and use the
chart to calculate what either a true bearing or a magnetic bearing should
be to another easily reconizable landmark (re info on the compass rose).
Then he can take bearings with his handheld reference compass and the
expensive binocular compass. (after removing eyeglasses, watch, or anything
else magnetic in nature.)