What is an online compass?

Lost? The online compass will save the day!

In the age of GPS navigators and smartphones with maps, an online compass may seem like an unnecessary retro thing.  But don’t jump to conclusions!  This simple gizmo can be a real lifesaver in a situation when there is no charge or connection at hand.  After all, it works even without internet!

Why do you need an online compass?

Rescue in a desperate situation: Imagine: you are lost in the woods, your phone is dead, and you forgot your power bank at home.  What to do?  An online compass to the rescue!  It will show you the direction to the north, from which you can start looking for the way to civilization.

1. Rescue in a desperate situation: Imagine: you are lost in the woods, your phone is dead, and you forgot your power bank at home.  What to do?  An online compass to the rescue!  It will show you the direction to the north, from which you can start looking for the way to civilization.
2. Hiking must-have: When hiking, don’t forget your online compass, even if you have a GPS navigator.  After all, electronics can fail you, but an online compass is always with you in your phone and works without charging.
3. Just curious: Want to know where north is even when you’re at home?  An online compass is your personal navigator anywhere.  Surprise your friends with your orienteering knowledge!

How to use it?

1. Find a site: On any search engine, find a site with an online compass.  There are tons of options – choose one to suit your tastes.
2. Allow access: Many sites ask for access to your device’s geolocation.  This is necessary for the compass to work correctly.
3. Calibrate: Sometimes you need to calibrate.  Simply spin your phone with a figure eight as shown on the site.
4. Orient yourself: Hold the device steady, just like a regular compass.  The arrow will point north, and there will be degrees and letters of the sides of the world next to it.

What makes an online compass better than a regular compass?

• Accessibility: It’s always with you on your phone.
• Compact: You don’t need to carry a separate device.
• Functionality: Many online compasses have additional functions: map, coordinates, weather, etc.

Not everything is perfect…

It is worth considering that the online compass may not work correctly in the area of electromagnetic interference. Therefore, for serious hiking, it is best to have a real compass. It is not afraid of interference and works even with a dead phone.

However, an online compass is a great bailout in an unforeseen situation. With its help, you’ll be able to orient yourself on the terrain until you find a more reliable way to navigate.

Here are a few other drawbacks to keep in mind:

• While an online compass doesn’t require internet, it still uses up your phone’s battery power.
• An online compass can be less accurate than a regular compass, especially in a city with lots of buildings and electromagnetic interference.
• Some physical compasses have features, such as rulers or magnifying glasses, that the online version does not have.