normaalkompas

Normaalkompas is a Dutch term meaning "standard compass" and is used to refer to a basic magnetic compass that serves as a reference instrument in navigation, surveying, and cartography. In many manuals and educational contexts, a normaalkompas describes a simple mechanical device with a magnetized needle that aligns with magnetic north, a marked bearing scale, and a fixed housing. The user can read bearings and transfer directions to maps, plans, or field observations. The instrument is distinguished from more specialized or modern devices by its simplicity and teachable mechanics.

Historically, normaalkompas were common equipment for sailors, surveyors, and fieldworkers before the widespread adoption of digital compasses and GPS. In contemporary practice, the term is sometimes retained in textbooks or heritage materials to refer to the conventional instrument, even as digital or smartphone compasses have become more prevalent. The exact design and terminology for normaalkompas can vary by country, organization, and field; in some contexts the same concept may be described as a magnetisch kompas or specified by brand or type to indicate a particular form.