magnetic north versus true/geographical north

[myfs_92790]

Dear Cecil,
Please kindly solve my confusion regarding the magnetic north and true north. What is the magnetic variation between this two? It's easy to determine the facing direction of a completed house from compass reading but it is hard to do so if a house is still on planning stage' i.e if a house has to be purchased from developer who normally displays the geographical north on the site/location plan. What is the compass reading (in terms of degrees) of a house that is facing the true or geographical north in Malaysia (K.L)? Thank you for your precious time.
Best regards,
Meei-Jinn

[Cecil Lee]

Dear Meei Jinn,
Often if you are close to the equator, I personally find that the geographical North often coincides with the magnetic North.
For a layperson, one often use a hiking compass. It still points to the magnetic north. For us, we often use a higher grade compass like the Suunto or other better brands.
This is because; the higher professional compass often are "balanced" to a specific zone. For example,the Suunto brand categorise the world into 5 different compass zones. Northern hemisphere which includes Canada/North America falls under Zone 1 etc...
But one is not expected to buy this type of compass.
From my personal analysis; if you are in Singapore, more likely the magnetic vs geographic north are similar. The only thing to watch out is: if your home is above a power station or close to it. This may change the magnetic compass point to 10 to 20 degrees diviation. And this has to be considered, when accessing such a home.
In Malaysia, (KL); often the geographic north vs magnetic north is in my opinion within tolerable limits. If one applies Flying Star Feng Shui; often there is sufficient allowance of 15degrees - variance (that sway) the reading from one sector to another. (Flying Star compass directions are based on 24 specific directions - every 15 degrees)
Warmest Regards,
Cecil

Quote

On 9/2/2003 7:22:24 AM, Anonymous wrote:
Dear Cecil,
Please kindly solve my
confusion regarding the
magnetic north and true north.
What is the magnetic variation
between this two? It's easy to
determine the facing direction
of a completed house from
compass reading but it is hard
to do so if a house is still
on planning stage' i.e if a
house has to be purchased from
developer who normally
displays the geographical
north on the site/location
plan. What is the compass
reading (in terms of degrees)
of a house that is facing the
true or geographical north in
Malaysia (K.L)? Thank you for
your precious time.
Best regards,
Meei-Jinn