NavList:
A Community Devoted to the Preservation and Practice of Celestial Navigation and Other Methods of Traditional Wayfinding
Re: beginner
From: Fred Hebard
Date: 2005 Sep 16, 10:06 -0400
From: Fred Hebard
Date: 2005 Sep 16, 10:06 -0400
Willem, My understanding is that the replicas are not accurate and are not suitable for any sort of measurement whatsoever. The box sextant was an angle-measuring device used by explorers on land. It was used as one might use a transit or theodolite, where it was impractical to cart those heavier instruments --the box sextant could be carried in a pocket. I don't believe the accuracy was high enough for use at sea, except perhaps in emergency situations, more on the order of degrees than arcminutes. Fred On Sep 16, 2005, at 9:59 AM, Piccer wrote: > I followed the dicussion on the plastic sextant with a lot of interest. > > At home I have a replica of what is called a " box" sextant. > I never tried to use it, but can somebody tell me if this is a serious > instrument? > > The only reference I have found is on the website of Stanley, London : > they sell the replica's > > Many thanks > > Willem Piccer
