mjosparky 3 #51 February 4, 2005 QuoteQuote>a compass can only tell you what direction you are lost in. It doesn't even do that! It just tells you what direction you're pointed in while lost. While they're useful in some situations (like you're in california and you want to find the ocean) they're really not that useful unless you're good at orienteering. I would hope that skydivers who can handle the issues of jump run direction and spotting would have the minimal orienteering skills needed to use a compass. All you really need to know then is are you short or long of the DZ. Even if you were pushed out the plane blindfolded and had no idea where you landed, it stilll allows you to track where you were. How many jumpers can handle these issues since the advent of GPS? SparkyMy idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 6 #52 February 9, 2005 I carry one when jumping demos, or at night, or on a DZ I'm not real familiar with. The pilot telling me... winds are 270 at 10 doesn't mean a lot at night over a LZ I never saw before. And what about in the event on an aircraft emergency requiring an exit over unfamiliar ground. Land marks are scarce in the toolies ...I can with a glance at least be sure of my options regarding a landing site ...if I can remember which way the wind WAS blowing at the DZ that is. Little plastic number that has a whistle and a magnifier all in one~ Wall-Mart special $5.00... On a string around my neck, and it's accurate enough for my purpose! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
