From ancient civilizations to modern times, compasses have played an important role in helping people find their way. But with the advent of GPS and other advanced technologies, many people wonder if ...

A compass needle is essentially a thin bar magnet. If it were free to move in all three dimensions, a magnet would line up along any local magnetic field line. Field lines are graphical ...

As much as I love the hands-on engagement and rewards of using old-school, tried-and-true navigation tools like magnetic ...

In a world filled with modern navigation tools, there is still a place where the humble compass can be used. Knowing how to make a compass, and teaching others how to make one, serves to develop a ...

iOS ships with a basic compass that you can use to find your basic heading when driving or hiking. It's not as robust as some third-party orienteering apps, but it will work in a pinch when these ...

Navigation of the world’s wild places using a compass and paper map is a must-have skill. With it, you’ll always find your way home. Little magnetic needles have been pointing the way for explorers ...

A fair number of boats we test today don’t have compasses, a shortcoming that many boaters consider a nautical no-no. A compass ensures safe navigation, even when a boat is equipped with a GPS.