Brunton ECLIPSE 8096 User manual

Copyright 2000, The Brunton Company
A subsidiary of Silva Production, AB
Printed in U.S.A.
form 62-8096 rev 0005

ECLIPSE 8096ECLIPSE 8096
ECLIPSE 8096ECLIPSE 8096
ECLIPSE 8096
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
1 -- Orientation: Eclipse 8096 GPS Compass .............. 1
2 -- Magnetic Declination ............................................. 2
3 -- Field Bearing .......................................................... 3
4 -- Direction Of Travel ................................................. 4
5 -- Back Bearing .......................................................... 5
6 -- Topographic Map ................................................... 5
7 -- Map Bearing ........................................................... 5
8 -- Distance Measurement .......................................... 6
9 -- Positioning ............................................................. 7
10 -- Additional Information ...................................... 11
11 -- GPS Compass & Template Specifications ....... 12
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Figure 1
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
1 -- Orientation: Eclipse 8096 GPS Compass
The Eclipse 8096 GPS Compass compliments any GPS receiver, by combining the features of a
compass and positioning for GPS receiver use.
The Orientation section provides a description of important Eclipse 8096 parts. Detailed description of
Eclipse 8096 operation is provided throughout the instruction manual.
1.1 Vial (Fig 1)
The vial contains a needle disk with a red circled “N” (described in 1.2) and a blue orienting circle (1.3).
The fluid inside the vial stabilizes the needle disk.
1.2 Needle Disk + RED circled “N” (Fig 1)
The needle disk is a permanently magnetized NdFeB material which orients the red circled “N” to
magnetic north. The “E”, “S” and “W”, for quick directional reference.
1.3 BLUE Orienting Circle (Fig 1)
The adjustable blue orienting circle is for bearing determination and magnetic declination adjustment.
1.4 Azimuth Ring (Fig 1)
When rotating the azimuth ring, both the graduated circle (graduated from 0oto 360o- 1o increments)
and the blue orienting circle turn.
1.5 Index Lens (Fig 1)
The bubble shaped index lens magnifies the graduated dial and the green index line. Read bearing at
the green index line.
1.6 Latitude - Longitude & UTM Template (Fig 1)
The latitude-longitude scales and the 1:100,000 UTM grid scale are for position measurements.
1

Figure 4
Figure 2 1.9 1.10
1.7
1.8
1.7 UTM Roamer Scales (Fig 2)
The Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) grid roamer scales, located on the clear base, are for
position measurements.
1.8 GPS 100 Meter Confidence Circles (Fig 2)
On a map, the appropriate scaled confidence circle drawn around an approximate GPS position,
indicates your actual position will be within the 100 meter circle, 95% of the time.
1.9 Magnetic Declination Scale (Fig 2)
Adjust for magnetic declination by turning the vial until the arrow on the blue orienting circle points to
the magnetic declination angle, at your position.
1.10 Reversible Ruler System (Fig 2)
The Eclipse 8096 provides a reversible ruler for measurements in inches or centimeters.
2 -- Magnetic Declination
Magnetic declination is the difference between true geographic north (north pole) and magnetic north
(in northern Canada), with respect to your position. It is important to note magnetic declination at your
position, because magnetic declination varies and fluctuates slowly, at different rates around the world.
Use the Isogonic Chart (Fig 3, p 3), or current United States Geological
Survey (USGS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), or another map
to determine magnetic declination at your position. Declination can be
east, west, or 0oat your current position. Zero degrees declination
indicates true and magnetic north are aligned.
Example: If magnetic declination at your position is 15oeast, magnetic
north is 15oeast of true north. Figure 4 displays true north and
magnetic north, as indicated by a USGS or BLM map in a specific area.
Most maps and all GPS receivers use true geographic north as a
reference. When adjustment for magnetic declination is complete, a
compass bearing will be with respect to true north , same as the map,
or GPS receiver.
2

Figure 3
2.1 Magnetic Declination Adjustment
1. Determine magnetic declination at your position.
2. Locate magnetic declination scale on the back side of azimuth ring. (Fig 5, p 4)
3. Grasp azimuth ring in one hand and the vial in the other. (Fig 5, p 4)
4. Hold azimuth ring stationary, and rotate vial until the arrow on the blue orienting circle points to the
value of magnetic declination.
- Make sure declination is correct (east or west).
3 -- Field Bearing
1. Adjust for magnetic declination at your position.
- Refer to section 2.1, Magnetic Declination Adjustment, for help.
2. Sight object in the distance, and point direction of travel arrow at object. (Fig 6)
3. Rotate azimuth ring until blue orienting circle surrounds the red circled “N”. (Fig 7)
3

Figure 9
Figure 10
Figure 6
Figure 5
Figure 7
Figure 8
4. Read bearing -- 170o. (Fig 7)
4 -- Direction Of Travel
When field bearing to destination is already known, adjust compass to known field bearing, sight a
bearing to an object and travel to object. The bearing you travel is known as the direction of travel.
1. Adjust for magnetic declination.
2. Rotate azimuth ring until set at known field bearing -- 40o. (Fig 8)
3. Pivot your body until vial displays “circle over circle”. (Figs 9 & 10)
4. Sight object at 40ofield bearing, and travel to it.
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Figure 11
Figure 12
Hint: Do not travel field bearing by watching the compass. If final destination is too far away to see,
sight a bearing to a tree, mountain, or something else and walk to the object. At object, re-sight
compass bearing to another object. Repeat until final destination is reached.
5 -- Back Bearing
To aid in your safe return, find a back bearing as well. A back bearing is 180ofrom another bearing. If
your bearing is 0o, then the back bearing is 180o-- directly behind you. Keep all bearings between 0o
and 359o, and follow the steps below to determine a back bearing.
1. If bearing is from 0oto 180o, add 180oto calculate back bearing.
2. If bearing is from 181oto 359o, subtract 180o.
6 -- Topographic Map
A topographic map (topo-map) is a 2-dimensional drawing of 3-dimensional terrain. Hills, valleys,
ridges, cliffs and other terrain are represented through a series of contour lines. Each line represents
constant elevation in meters or feet above sea level. Find the contour interval in the legend of the
topo-map. Also printed on a topo-map, are latitude - longitude and UTM grid tick marks for positioning.
With practice you’ll begin to recognize many different contours, and identify the best possible route
from one position to another.
7 -- Map Bearing
Some GPS receivers calculate a waypoint by entering a bearing and distance from a known position.
The Eclipse 8096 allows for both bearing and distance determination. First, find the bearing.
7.1 Map Alignment
Align a topo-map to true north, then find a map bearing. It is possible to compare the actual terrain to
the map, using this method.
1. Adjust for magnetic declination.
2. Rotate azimuth ring until compass reads 0o. (Fig 11)
3. Place straight edge of compass along a topo-map’s true north-south
margin (edge of printed map). (Fig 12)
4. Rotate map until vial displays “circle
over circle”. (Fig 12)
- The topo-map is now aligned to true
north.
Now, find map bearing.
5. Place a “point” at the starting position
and an “X” at a destination.
6. Draw a line connecting both marks.
7. Position compass next to the line. (Fig 13)
8. Rotate azimuth ring until vial displays “circle over circle”. (Fig 14)
- Do not move the map.
5

Figure 14
Figure 15
6 Inches
Figure 18
Figure 13
Figure 17
Figure 16
9. Read bearing -- 40o.
7.2 Compass Alignment
Compass alignment
method allows for bearing
determination without
aligning the map to true
north. Use this method for
pre-planning at home or in
the office.
1. Adjust for magnetic declination (indicated on map).
2. Draw true north-south lines. Space approximately 1 inch apart. (Fig 15)
3. Mark start position with a “point”, destination with an “X” and connect with a line.
4. Place compass next to the bearing line.
5. Rotate azimuth ring until blue orienting circle
points in a northerly direction, and the red lines on
graduated circle are aligned with the drawn true
north-south lines. (Fig 16)
6. Read bearing.
Note: If magnetic declination is 0o, or declination is
unknown, adjust compass to 0odeclination,
and align both the blue line, in the vial, and
the red lines on the graduated circle with
the map’s true north-south lines.
8 -- Distance Measurement
Now that you have established a bearing, find
distance using the ruler. If needed, slide the ruler
completely off the Eclipse 8096, flip over, and slide
ruler back on the compass. (Fig 17)
1. Measure distance from the “point” to the “X” on
the map - 6 inches. (Fig 18)
2. Find actual distance, by comparing measured
distance to the scale in the legend of the map.
(Fig 19)
6

Figure 20
Figure 21
Figure 19
Actual distance is: 12,000 feet or approximately 2.25 miles.
9 -- Positioning
GPS receivers require an
understanding of coordinate
positioning in order to use waypoints.
This section explains Universal
Transverse Mercator (UTM) grid,
latitude-longitude and triangulation to find a position. Use the method best suited for your application.
9.1 UTM Coordinate System
Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) is a square grid coordinate system measured in meters from the
Equator (0olatitude) and a zone meridian. UTM flattens and divides the earth into 60 zones, each
zone 6oof longitude and each with a zone meridian down the center. (Fig 20) UTM grid above 84oN.
and below 80oS. latitude are considerably distorted, and are excluded from maps. Most GPS
receivers accommodate for UTM grid.
A position is measured in eastings from the zone meridian and northings from the Equator. Eastings
always increase right (east) and northings always increase up (north), on a map.
The following examples use a 1;24,000 (1:24k) scale topo-
map with 1,000 meter UTM tick marks. This is indicated by
3 small zeros in the full UTM label -- 4790000mE. If using a
scaled map other than 1:24k scale, identify a full UTM label
to determine distance between tick marks.
9.1.a -- Position Determination From a Map
1. Identify and document the zone number & map datum
from the map.
- zone 11 & North American Datum 1927 (NAD-27).
(Fig 21)
2. Identify UTM tick marks and labels around the map’s
margin.
3. Draw lines connecting equal value UTM tick marks. (Fig 21)
- A 1,000 meter square grid will form.
4. Mark position with an “X”.
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Figure 22
5. Place the small hole of the UTM roamer scale over the “X”. (Fig 22)
- Make sure the scale is parallel to the drawn easting and northing grid lines.
6. Count from the “X” to the nearest left easting line - 100, 200, ... 500 & 600 m.
7. Add 600 m to the nearest left easting line.
- 600m E + 599000m E = 599600m E
8. Count from the “X” to the nearest northing line, below -- 100, 200, ... 700 & 750 m.
9. Add 750 m to the nearest northing line, below the “X”.
- 750m N + 4790000m N = 4790750m N
The final UTM coordinate is:
zone 11 599600m E 4790750m N datum: NAD-27
Before entering the coordinate into a GPS receiver, select NAD-27 as the local geodetic datum on your
GPS receiver. This allows the GPS receiver to “speak the same language as the map.” If NAD-27 is
unavailable, or local geodetic datum is unknown, select World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS-84).
Note: The 1:100k UTM scale is located on the latitude-longitude & UTM template. Using the 1:100k
scale, you will measure easting same as you did above, then you must rotate the scale to measure
northings. Remember, place zero at the position (“X”).
9.1.b -- Plotting a GPS Position On a Map
Your GPS receiver says your location is: 601600m E
4790300m N zone 11 using: NAD-27. Now, you
would like to plot the position on a 1:24k topo-map.
1. Using the GPS position, you identify and circle the
1,000 meter UTM grid tick marks on the map: 601
and 4790. (Fig. 23)
Comparing the intersection of the 601 and 4790 lines
to the GPS position, you know your approximate
position is 600 m to the right and 300 m up, because
eastings always increase right, and northings always
increase up.
2. On the compass, identify 600m E and 300m N from the 1:24k UTM roamer scale. (Fig. 24)
Figure 23
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