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Compasses

A compass (or mariner's compass) is a navigational instrument for finding directions on the earth. It consists of a magnetised pointer free to align itself accurately with Earth's magnetic field. more...

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A compass provides a known reference direction which is of great assistance in navigation. The cardinal points are north, south, east and west. A compass can be used in conjunction with a clock and a sextant to provide a very accurate navigation capability. This device greatly improved maritime trade by making travel safer and more efficient.

A compass can be any magnetic device using a needle to indicate the direction of the magnetic north of a planet's magnetosphere. Any instrument with a magnetized bar or needle turning freely upon a pivot and pointing in a northerly and southerly direction can be considered a compass. A compass dial is a small pocket compass with a sundial. A variation compass is a specific instrument of a delicate type of construction. It is used by observing variations of the needle. A gyrocompass or astrocompass can also be used to ascertain True north.

History of the navigational compass

Compasses were initially used in feng shui in ancient China. The first known use of Earth's magnetic field in this way occurred in ancient China as a spectacle. Arrows were cast similarly to dice. These magnetised arrows aligned themselves pointing north, impressing the audience. The earliest record of use of magnetic lodestone as a direction point was in a 4th century Chinese book: Book of the Devil Valley Master

Dream Pool Essays written by Song Dynasty scholar Shen Kua in AD 1086 contained a detailed description of how geomancer magnetized a needle by rubbing its tip with lodestone, and hung the magnetic needle with one single strain of silk with a bit of wax attached to the center of the needle. Shen Kua pointed out that the needle prepared this way some times pointed south, some times pointed north.

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Marine Compass Seadoo Doral Bayliner Searay Chris CraftMarine Compass Seadoo Doral Bayliner Searay Chris Craft $45.00 Danforth A103Pb Panel Mount Boat CompassDanforth A103Pb Panel Mount Boat Compass $40.96
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Nos Boston Whaler Red Ritchie Explorer Compass Decal NrNos Boston Whaler Red Ritchie Explorer Compass Decal Nr $8.99 Danforth Iv Flush Mount Black Boat Compass C399F-3Danforth Iv Flush Mount Black Boat Compass C399F-3 $129.20
Ritchie X-10 Bracket Mount Compass *New In Box*Ritchie X-10 Bracket Mount Compass *New In Box* $28.47 White & Sons Corsair Boat CompassWhite & Sons Corsair Boat Compass $4.99
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Simrad Is15R Compass #22094742Simrad Is15R Compass #22094742 $200.00 Weems & Plath Compass Merker Fixed Mount Square FlangeWeems & Plath Compass Merker Fixed Mount Square Flange $99.99
Saturn Aqua Meter Compass Saturn Aqua Meter Compass $139.99 Large E.S. Richie & Sons Boat Compass Large E.S. Richie & Sons Boat Compass $39.99
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Air Guide 12V lighted marine Compass with nountingAir Guide 12V lighted marine Compass with nounting $9.95 Sea Marine Pivoting Compass Boat Caravan Truck WhiteSea Marine Pivoting Compass Boat Caravan Truck White $6.99
Aqua Meter Skipper Compass A91Aqua Meter Skipper Compass A91 $9.99 Navigation - a step-by-step introduction NewNavigation - a step-by-step introduction New $32.00
Marine Aqua Sea Compass Boat Yacht Caravan Truck WhiteMarine Aqua Sea Compass Boat Yacht Caravan Truck White $15.00 * Ritchie Mako Marine Boat Compass Hf743* Ritchie Mako Marine Boat Compass Hf743 $93.46
Aqua Meter CompassAqua Meter Compass $59.99 Ritchie Compass Model Hb71 w/ Cover and CaseRitchie Compass Model Hb71 w/ Cover and Case $20.00
Adjustable Car 50mm Compass Auto Navigation HingeAdjustable Car 50mm Compass Auto Navigation Hinge $5.99 Weems & Plath Marine Navigation Hand Bearing CompassWeems & Plath Marine Navigation Hand Bearing Compass $69.99
Danforth Constellation Express Lighted Compass Danforth Constellation Express Lighted Compass $75.00 Ritchie Ss-1002 SuperSport Compass (Black) NewRitchie Ss-1002 SuperSport Compass (Black) New $149.99
Aquameter 3 1/2 inch compassAquameter 3 1/2 inch compass $20.00 Mariner Marine Compass [No Reserve]Mariner Marine Compass [No Reserve] $3.00
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Vehicle Car Boat Truck Navigation Compass Ball AdhesiveVehicle Car Boat Truck Navigation Compass Ball Adhesive $3.00 Davis Instruments Hand Bearing Compass Model # 211Davis Instruments Hand Bearing Compass Model # 211 $47.48
Ritchie S-87W Voyager Marine Boat Compass White Ritchie S-87W Voyager Marine Boat Compass White $57.20 * Dantforth Skipper Ii Series Boat Compass* Dantforth Skipper Ii Series Boat Compass $38.21
* Ritchie Explorer D-55 Magnetic Boat Compass (New)* Ritchie Explorer D-55 Magnetic Boat Compass (New) $42.49
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Prices current as of last update, 09/03/10 4:17am.

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