Guide | How to choose your navigation compass?
Navigation compass: essential for keeping on course
When navigating, there are several tools you can use to plan your course and steer your way on the water, where visual landmarks are few and far between.
The magnetic compass is one of these naivgation instruments. It's a compass system that tells you north (horizontally) and measures angles in the desired direction.
Although nowadays it has been replaced by GPS, it remains a reliable tool to take on board your boat.
There are 3 types of compass: magnetic, bearing and electronic. Browse our category}andfind all our models of navigation compasses and compasses.
Other navigation accessories are also available. The category}also lets youtake advantage of our selection of Cras rulers, protractors, dry point compasses and even the essential Sextant !
: you must carry a magnetic compass or GPS-type satellite system on board for all navigation beyond 2 MN.
Navigation compass, how does it work?
A navigational compass is a box containing a compass rose. This compass rose is equipped with magnets that react to the earth's natural magnetic field. The compass rose, driven by these magnets, will rotate until it points North, just as a compass can. The navigation compass is graduated from 0° (indicating North) to 359°.
To ensure the smoothest possible rotation with the least friction, the compass rose is centered on a sharp pivot and immersed in a viscous liquid.
The navigation compass is therefore a product that consumes no additional energy and indicates North in all circumstances. Please note that different zones exist on Earth, depending on the strength of the magnetic field received. It is therefore imperative to take these into account when balancing your compass.
Once your compass has indicated North, simply measure the angle between North and the direction you're aiming for, and plot this value on a map to find your bearings.
Flat or conical roses: what's the difference?
Conical (or cylindrical) rose
Reading from the front and from the top of the rose. In addition to reading from the front of the rose (frontal reading), it generally features graduations or cardinal points on the upper part, allowing two reading possibilities. The rose is particularly useful when steering or piloting while seated or standing.
Flat rose
Reading takes place on the back of the rose, where the alidade is located. Thanks to the magnifying effect created by the liquid, the numbers read at the bottom of the compass are amplified, making them easier to read. A flat rose also gives a more global view of the boat's direction in relation to North.
The different navigation compasses
There are 3 main categories of navigation compass for your boat:
Electronic compass
This compass can be fixed or mobile, and generally features additional functions such as date, time, anemometer, thermometer, etc. It has a digital display. It has a digital display. The main technologies used by electronic compasses are fluxgate, Hall effect, magnetoresistivity and magnetoinduction. In this category, you can find the Xplorer 2 Skywatch Anemo-Thermometer on our online site.
Bearing compass
It measures the angle between the target direction and north. A bearing compass is a mobile compass and is aimed at the axis of the compass rose.
Magnetic compass
Also known as a "course compass", it is used to maintain a course or angle during navigation. The magnetic compass is an inexpensive instrument (although some models can be expensive). There are several models, including stirrup, horizontal, vertical, barrel/mini-barrel and mast-mounted compasses.
Top vente compas Plastimo
Choosing the right magnetic compass for your boat
Whether you're a helmsman or a pilot, whether you're looking for a motorboat compass or a sailboat compass, your navigation compass will be your faithful companion for many years to come. So it's extremely important to choose the right compass for your type of boat and sailing area.
A compass can be both a }and a magnetic compass. The bearing compass is a function, while the magnetic compass is a technique, akin to a compass. There are many different types of magnetic compass.
To help you choose the right compass for your boat, we've listed the essential questions to ask before you buy:
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What type of boat do you have?
Whether you're on a light craft such as a RIB, a cruising sailboat or a racing sailboat, a motorboat or a pleasure boat, a kayak... Your choice will depend on the angle of heel and the stability of the rose, in the event of shocks or vibrations on board. Defining the type of boat is essential when choosing a navigation compass.
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What's your sailing schedule?
Compass with or without lighting, SOLAS-approved, with or without compensation or ISO-compliant, depending on your type of sea outing (day trip, cruise, regatta or offshore sailing), you'll choose your compass balanced for the area you'll be sailing in, with a simple or tactical rose.
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How to choose the right compass size
Another important piece of information is that you'll need a larger compass depending on the distance to the compass. Generally speaking, the apparent diameter of the rose is between 70 and 90mm for a 5 to 9-meter boat. For a boat eetween 8 and 12 m, you'll need a model with a diameter of at least 100 mm. For larger boats, we recommend a steering column compass with a minimum diameter of 135 mm for the rose.
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What type of mounting to choose?
You also need to think about the type of mounting for your compass. You can, of course, choose it for its design, which won't detract from the aesthetics of your boat, but you'll also need to think about how the compass is installed. As the most important thing is to be able to read it easily, you can opt for a flush-mounted or non-flush-mounted compass, on a horizontal or vertical support, on a bracket or removable.
: po find out more about fitting, installing and adjusting your boat compass!
Plastimo compasses, quality made in France
On our site, you'll find a wide range of compass models, such as the Plastimo Iris 100 Compass, which acts as both a road and bearing compass.
It can be mounted both horizontally and vertically, and features a conical rose for horizontal or vertical reading. The Iris compass is ideal for sailboats and small craft. It is available in blue and white or yellow and white.
Motorboats deliver greater vibrations than sailboats, which can disrupt compass and rose operation. It is therefore imperative to choose a compass adapted to this type of boat.
The Plastimo 105 Offshore Compass is fully adapted to this application and is suitable for motorboats from 5 to 10 meters. You can find this black Plastimo Offshore compass in our dedicated category.
The legendary Plastimo Contest 101 Tactical Compass is a model that needs no introduction. Derived from the regatta version of the Plastimo Contest compass, this black boat compass incorporates a tactical rose and is a must-have accessory for your boat.
If you're looking for a multi-purpose product, opt for Plastimo's }. A great classic from the brand, this bearing compass was designed for regattas, but can also be used as an orientation compass for hiking and trekking.
: to find out all about the secrets behind the manufacture of Plastimo navigation compasses!
Choosing your magnetic compass, for optimum orientation
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Will my navigation zone influence my choice of compass?
All compasses are manually balanced. They are universally balanced and suitable for all areas of the globe.
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Why buy a compass if I already have a GPS?
The magnetic compass gives the course your boat is following in real time. This information complements that provided by the GPS. The compass also works in all circumstances, especially if your GPS breaks down or becomes faulty. The magnetic compass is therefore an important safety feature on board.
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Steel or ferrocement boat, which navigation compass should you choose?
No single compass can meet this specific need. You'll need to call in a trimmer to install a suitable compensation system.
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Does my compass need to be compensated?
Many sources of magnetic disturbance on the boat, such as metal masses, loudspeakers, engines and electronic instruments, can affect compass accuracy. This phenomenon is known as deviation. In the case of a deviation of between 7 and 20°, your compass needs to be compensated.
Navigation compasses at Nautisports
Find all the above-mentioned navigation compasses, as well as many other boat products such as dry point compasses, nautical protractors, square or triangular protractors or Cras or parallel rulers, on our Nautisports online site.
Each compass has a dedicated item sheet with all the information you need to make your purchase, such as price, availability, delivery time, compass lighting option, protective cover, and any other essential accessories for your navigation compass, such as a bracket, mounting bracket or compensation box. You'll also find all the major brands of navigation compasses, like our complete range of Plastimo navigation products and instruments,the }but also the Advansea and Riviera brands.
Enjoy your visit!
Should you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact us on 04.78.41.79.31.
