GPS and Compass Declination

[Walksalot]

The maps I used before getting my GPS were Nad27 Canada Datum. I have not recalculated my declination which was set at 23 degrees East. I have recently purchased a Map 60 Cx GPS and the Mapsource program. In the Units section of my GPS I have:
Position Format
UTM UPS
Map Datum
NAD27 Canada
Distance/speed
Statute
Elevation (Vert. Speed)
Depth
Feet(ft/min)
Temperature
Fehrenteit

In the Heading section I have:
Display
Degrees
North Reference
Grid
Magnetic Variation
002' W

If I make my North reference Magnetic the Magnetic Variation comes up 18'E so if I understand it correctly to set the declination on my Silva Ranger Compass I take the 18' magnetic and adjust the orientreering arrow 18' to the east which will point me toward True North. My GPS is telling me that Grid North is 2' west of True North so I add that makeing my declination adjustmet 20'E.
Does this sound Kosher?

[rocksteady]

Switch it to NAD 83....First....

Second, check the dec again

[Bearen 09]

For sure NAD83 first.Than.....

[Walksalot]

Switched to NAD83 and says same.

[rocksteady]

So there you go....

Your description prior (18 degrees plus the 2 degree etc) seems correct to me, mind you since GPS were on the market I have not had to use my Silva...

[.284]

I`m not familiar with your compass but if you use it to find magnetic north and then turn 18 deg to your right you will be facing true north. I wouldn`t worry about your 2 deg correction.

[Jagermeister]

I`m not familiar with your compass but if you use it to find magnetic north and then turn 18 deg to your right you will be facing true north. I wouldn`t worry about your 2 deg correction.
Shouldn't that be 18° left to face true north?

[iceman11]

If you are just looking to set your declination, use this reference out of the Cruising manual. Select the appendices and scroll down to page A-3 and find the closes location. http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hva/manuals/cruising.htm

[.284]

Jagermeister, If you are looking on a map and it says variation or declination 18 east and you want to follow a course of say true north by using your compass then "east is least and west is best". So you would subtract 18 deg from 360 and head 342 deg on your compass to follow a true north heading. If you want to find out a true heading from a magnetic bearing then the opposite is true and you would add the variation ( if you wanted to draw your magnetic heading onto a map):)
If the variation is west then the rhyme is backwards:wink: