DC,
You make a good point on dial scale preference.
I did not even know, they made it two ways; mine
were Azimuth i.e. 0 to 360 scale which is handy.
I would not want any other scale.
B, B, BUT....everybody please listen.
I think, using the quick method, either scale would
work easily. Why, you ask?
When I used my Ranger to get a line-of-position,
I did not even have to read or to record the actual
angle.
Also, I have a non-mathematical friend with a Ranger, and
with no more than the instructions, he used the quick, no-numbers,
no-recording method perfectly.
In its simple form, it is a 2 step process:
1)take a sight
2)lay the compass on the map and draw a line.
Yes, you can read the angle, record it in a book, along
with other info. But you do not need to read or record.
Alternatively, you could also label the pencil line on the map,
for example with Date and Time. This is also optional.
I am not discouraging your keeping records, just saying you do
not have to. Also, if you do not have a map or chart, you can
record the numbers and actually make your own map or fill in
blank areas on an exiting map. Paper maps, and maps within
GPS's do have mistakes; with a little extra attention, these can
be detected and accounted for.
Lest you think this is a magic instrument, there are limitations.
The most often encountered are 1)You need to positively identify
any object that you sight on, and 2) The object that you sight on
should be within a few (10) miles: the farther away, the less accurate
your LOP will be.
There are some tricks to help with 1-identification,
but that is another story.
If you are in featureless terrain, you need a GPS, because
even the best compass will not get you a line-of-position.
With extremely methodical methods, professionals can
maintain their position, but you are not them, so carry a
GPS in featureless terrain. Carry a cheap GPS anyway.
