Asked my mum to go out and pick up a silva type 4 compass for me which she did however instead of having 360 around the dial it goes up to 64- am a bit confused with this system/how to use it if someone gives me a bearing based on a 360 compass easily without working something out in my head.
Thanks
Luke
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You have got a military-type compass that uses mils instead of degrees and is designed for gun-laying. You can't use it with Ordnance Survey maps, or a GPS receiver, so take it back and exchange it for a standard model for civilian use.
Just out of interest, from where was it purchased?
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Sounds like you have the military version in Mils. suggest you take it back and change it for the "normal civilian" type.
Strange that you picked up one of those, normally not that easy to come by.
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In my haste I opened it by mistake so that isn't an option. It was bought in nevisport in newcastle.
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Luke: for more information see this thread:
http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/forum/forummessages/mps/UTN/15747/URN/2/dt/4/srchdte/0/cp/2/v/8/sp/
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 "You can't use it with Ordnance Survey maps".
This may be news to members of HM Forces who have been doing this for decades!
Have a look at the top of any 1:50000 sheet and you'll see magnetic variation in both mils and degrees.
Likewise, any half decent GPS is able to give bearings in mils.
In addition, the Silva Type 4 has a degree scale on the inner as well.
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It is hard to get an accurate reading on the scale on the inner however so I think I'll have to get rid of it on ebay.
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Just because you opened the box does not mean that you can't exchange it. Nevisport should have checked which type youy requred. I suspect that it was delivered by S ilva to Nevisport in error. I've never come across an outdoor shop that sells military-type orienteering compasses. Sorry! I forgot to make the link for you so heere it is: http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/forum/forummessages/mps/UTN/15747/URN/2/dt/4/srchdte/0/cp/2/v/8/sp/
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NSJ: you are correct, of course, but for most walkers the degree system is simpler not least because all instruction manuals for walkers describe navigation techniques in degrees.
But I think I'm correct in saying that you can't use mils with GPS receivers. And what about mapping software?
Sorry, Luke - I messed up the link again! You will have to copy and paste.
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 Take it back. I would be stunned if they wouldn't exchange it immediately.
John
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 > never come across an outdoor shop that sells military-type orienteering compasses You obviously didn't grow up around Camberley, Farnborough or Aldershot, then... Or Cotswolds;-)
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.jpg) bought mine at wildtrak
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Anquet certainly works in mils, as does the Garmin Geko 301.
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 Those links above all say the compass is marked in both Degrees and Mils - you sure yours doesn't have both?
If not, as others have said, take it back. I'm sure they'll swap it.
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Thanks very much for the advice, will take it back tomorrow and inform you of the response.
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Took it back today- refunded without hassle. They didn't have a silva type 4 with degrees but had 2 more with mils in stock so I don't think it got there by mistake.
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