Точність визначення напряму на північ для різних типів компасів

Abstract

У статті подано результати експериментального дослідження точності визначення напряму на північ різними магнітними компасами. Найвищу точність показали геодезичні бусолі з похибками 30–40′. Польові компаси забезпечили точність близько 1°, а планшетний — до 1,5°, причому максимальна індивідуальна похибка для нього сягала 3°, тоді як для інших приладів була в межах 1,5–2°. Мінімальна похибка для теодолітної бусолі серед спостерігачів-аматорів становила 17′, а для досвідченого спостерігача — зменшувалася до 9,5′. Дослідження підтвердило, що конструкція приладу та досвід користувача суттєво впливають на точність орієнтування. Отримані результати важливі для туризму, геодезії та військової топографії.

The paper presents the results of an experimental study on the accuracy of determining the north direction using various types of magnetic compasses that differed in design, mass, length of the magnetic needle, damping, and manufacturing quality. The main objective of the study was to quantitatively assess the influence of the instruments’ structural features and the user’s level of training on the root mean square error of aligning the compass needle with the magnetic meridian. Seven observers without special training took part in the tests; each performed 30 measurements on seven different instruments: a theodolite bussol, two geodetic compasses (bussols), two Chinese field compasses, a Ukrainian field compass, and a tablet compass. The measurements were carried out in real field conditions with strict adherence to the rules for avoiding local magnetic disturbances that could distort the results. To increase the reliability of the calculations, root mean square errors and weighted mean values were determined for series of 3, 5, 10, and 30 observations. Analysis of the obtained data showed that geodetic compasses provided the highest accuracy — their average errors ranged from 30–40′, which is almost twice as accurate as field compasses, whose typical deviations were about 1°. The tablet compass demonstrated the lowest accuracy due to its short needle, high sensitivity to oscillations, and weak damping. Its average error was approximately 1.5°, and the maximum individual error reached 3°, while for other instruments it remained within 1.5–2°. At the same time, the minimum recorded error for the theodolite bussol among amateur observers was 17′, whereas for an experienced specialist it decreased to 9.5′, clearly demonstrating the importance of user skill in the orientation process. The results showed a significant influence of the human factor on the accuracy of aligning the compass needle with the zero division of the scale, namely: substantial inter-individual variation was observed, caused by differences in attentiveness, speed of reading fixation, and ability to stabilize the instrument. The study confirmed that the accuracy of determining the north direction depends both on the compass design and on the user’s experience. The results may be useful for specialists in tourism, geodesy, military topography, and for preparing recommendations regarding the selection of instruments for work in difficult conditions.