Magnetic compass: The

direction of celestial bodies to find true north,

most common type of
which is used in many circumstances, mainly in
compass is the magnetic
the far north and south poles where magnetic
compass, which is used to
compass would become erratic and gyro
determine the direction of
compass stops working. The use of astro
magnetic north. A
compass in determining the exact direction of
magnetic compass is made
true north requires the accurate information of
by placing a bit of magnetized iron or steel
time, date, longitudinal and latitudinal location.
which is set in a low friction so that it is allowed
to move freely. In most compasses, the north
end of the metal piece is marked with red paint
so that all directions may be determined.
Solid state compass: In this
modern digital world, solid
state compass are
becoming more popular.
Gyro compass: It is a
These use many of the
special type of compass
electronic magnetic
developed in 19th century
sensors which would
which determines the
calculate the accurate direction the compass is
tr‾‾ue north. A gyro
pointing.
compass is basically a very
fast spinning wheel or ball
which uses the law of conservation of angular
momentum and the spinning of earth’s axis to
point towards the true north. The gyro compass GPS compass: GPS
is commonly used in large ships and in other compasses are rapidly
circumstances where the accurate prediction of replacing the use of other
true north is needed. traditional compasses.
However, most military
and ships use the gyro
compass or magnetic
compass if GPS compass could not pick up
Astrocompass: This is
enough satellite. GPS compasses make use of
another type of compass
satellites in a geo synchronous orbit over the
which can predict true
earth to distinguish the bearer’s exact location
north rather than
and direction they are heading. Many hikers
magnetic north. This
compass relies on the
and drivers like this compass due to its relative
reliability.

Base plate compass: It is

the most affordable Prismatic compass: It is a
compass. The liquid filled sophisticated device
compass rise on the designed for highly
rectangular base made of accurate navigation. The
clear plastic. This compass prism sighting
includes a magnifying lens arrangement allows the
for map reading, luminous components for low user to read the compass
light conditions and different scales for world bearings while seeing distant objects.
wide use. This compass is fine for plotting
purposes.

Card compass: Card

compass or marine
compass is commonly
used in ships and boats. It
uses a fixed needle,
depending on the moving
compass card for
directional readings since the moving card
absorbs much of the motion of the boat.

Thumb compass: This

compass attaches to the
user’s thumb allowing the
user to hold both the map
and the compass in one
hand while traveling at
speed by bike or by canoe.
It is also known as competition compass.