SUUNTO M-3 GLOBAL User Manual

SUUNTO BASEPLATE
COMPASSES

USER GUIDE

1. Compass anatomy

1. Needle with red end that points to magnetic north

2. Direction-of-travel arrow for pointing to target on
map and when moving

3. Baseplate with straight edges and scales for working
on map

4. Bezel with directional scale for using as a protractor

5. Rotating capsule for setting direction to target

6. Bearing index for reading numerical bearing from
bezel

7. Orienting lines used to align capsule with meridian
lines on map

8. Orienting arrow for aligning with needle to find
direction to target

9. Clinometer (select models only) for measuring
vertical angle

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2. Orienting the map

To better understand your surroundings, you should
use your compass to first turn your map in the right
direction. This ensures the geographic features around
you are in the same general direction as you see them
on the map.

1. Hold your compass level and look at the red end of
the needle to see where north is.

2. Turn the map so that the northern upper edge is
pointing north.

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3. Navigate with map and compass

When navigating with a map and compass, you are first
determining a direction of travel on the map and then
transferring that direction to the real world.

1. Place the compass on the map between your
starting point (A) and your target (B).

2. Turn the capsule until the orienting lines are parallel
to the meridian lines on the map with N pointing
north.

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3. Hold compass level at waist height and turn yourself
until the needle and orienting arrow are aligned.
NOTE: Compensate for declination. See section 5.

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4. Select a visible target in front of you to help you
maintain your direction while travelling.

5. Follow your progress by comparing landmarks to the
map.

4. Measure distance on map

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Your Suunto compass has multiple scales on the
baseplate to help you measure distance on a map. Be
sure to use the same scale indicated on your map. If the
map scale is not on your compass, use a general scale
(cm or inch) to calculate distance.

5. Declination correction

The meridian lines on a map indicate the direction
toward true north while your compass needle indicates
the direction toward magnetic north. The angle
between these two directions is called magnetic
declination.

Before navigating you should check your local magnetic
declination from a trusted source, such as a recent map
or the NOAA website. If the magnetic declination is
more than a few degrees, you must compensate for it
when navigating.

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If your Suunto compass has a fixed declination scale, do
the following each time you navigate to a new target.

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1. Follow ‘Navigate with map and compass’ procedure

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to the end of step 3.

2. Turn left or right until the needle points to the
degree of declination on the fixed scale according to
your current location.

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3. Hold the compass steady and turn the capsule to
align the orienting arrow with the new needle
position.

4. Continue with step 4 of ‘Navigate with map and
compass’ procedure.

If your Suunto compass has adjustable declination, do
the following at the start of your navigation.

1. Turn the compass over.

2. Insert the metal key into the adjustment screw.

3. Turn the key until the declination indicator is the
correct number of degrees east or west of 0°.

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6. Care

Use only fresh water and mild soap for cleaning. Clean
your compass regularly.

Operating/storage temperature:

-30° C - +60° C / -22° F - +140° F

7. SUUNTO LIMITED WARRANTY

Suunto warrants that during the Warranty period
Suunto will, at its sole discretion, remedy defects in
materials or workmanship free of charge either by a)
repairing, or b) replacing with similar product, or c)
refunding, subject to the terms and conditions of this
Limited Warranty. This Limited Warranty does not cover
a) wear and tear, b) rough handling, c) modifications,
d) exposure to chemicals, or e) misuse. Unless local

CAUTION: DO NOT
APPLY SOLVENT OF ANY
KIND.

CAUTION: DO
NOT APPLY INSECT
REPELLENT.

CAUTION: DO NOT

KNOCK OR DROP.

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mandatory law provides otherwise, a) this limited
warranty is only valid in the country of purchase and
b) proof of purchase shall be provided when accessing
warranty services.

Warranty Period

Limited Lifetime Warranty:

Applicable to Suunto A, M, MC, MB and Clipper
compasses.

The warranty period is limited until such reasonable
time as the product is no longer reasonably usable due
to wear and tear.

Limited 2-year Warranty:

Applicable to Suunto Arrow, Orca-Pioneer and KB
compasses.

The Limited Warranty period is two (2) years from the
date of original retail purchase.

Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE
MANDATORY LAWS, THIS LIMITED WARRANTY IS YOUR
SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY AND IS IN LIEU OF ALL
OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. SUUNTO
SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL,
PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. SUUNTO
SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR DELAY IN RENDERING
WARRANTY SERVICE.

© Suunto Oy 2/2014, 3/2014, 12/2014. All Rights
reserved. Subject to change without notice.

Suunto is a registered trademark of Suunto Oy.

SUUNTO CUSTOMER SUPPORT

1. www.suunto.com/support
www.suunto.com/mysuunto

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