550 Paracord Ranger/Pace Beads - First Attempt

[Smossy]

Just finally finished my first set of my 550 cord pace beads for back-country hiking/hunting.
I don't use or have a GPS, so a compass/map and beads will be my source of travel.
This was made 100% from para-cord, and It was a pain to make to say the least.
Total time was about 6-7 hours. I imagine it will get easier/quicker the more I attempt to make them.
I'm trying to be less-reliant on electronics as to there's many ways they can fail.

All in all I think it turned out great though. I suggest everyone get yourself a set of these as to you never know when you may need them. "Gps Failure for those who depend on them". Or if you just want to exercise your brain. A little prep needed as far as measuring your 3 stage pace, and basic math skills ARE needed, So those of you that cant add, don't even bother

[jackmaster]

thats a good idea, i know when i was in i always just picked up a little rock for every 100 meters and a piece of a twig for every click, for instance if i was on a movement and had 3 twigs and three pebbles then i had traveled 3 clicks plus 300 meters..... i like your idea better, but i made do with what i had back in the day

[Smossy]

thats a good idea, i know when i was in i always just picked up a little rock for every 100 meters and a piece of a twig for every click, for instance if i was on a movement and had 3 twigs and three pebbles then i had traveled 3 clicks plus 300 meters..... i like your idea better, but i made do with what i had back in the day

Sounds interesting, never heard of that method. Hey whatever works lol

[wildmanoutdoors]

Do you just slide them to keep track?

[MtnMuley]

6 or 7 hours worth of lawn mowing would surely get you a Bushnell backtracker small GPS or whatever that model is.

[Smossy]

Do you just slide them to keep track?

Yeah, one lower bead per 10 paces. Then once you reach the 10th bead u slide down an upper bead. Should allow for 500 paces. Distance varies per person. Full average stride with both left and right foot is a single pace.
Helps for traveling distance on maps. Point A to point B is 2300 feet. So for me 10 full strides is 75 feet roughly.  So once I have 3 upper beads pulled down and 6 lower beads pulled I know I should basically be around where I wanted to be as far as distance of travel.

[Smossy]

6 or 7 hours worth of lawn mowing would surely get you a Bushnell backtracker small GPS or whatever that model is.

Right, If I knew anyone that wanted theyre lawn mowed. I dont have a job and Im a felon so its rough trying to find work. Hopefully Ill be able to get work at this one warehouse soon. Gotta start getting money for tags and other hunting randomness.

[owmygulay]

I was reading the first post and trying to figure out what that is. I get it now though. Cool idea. Nice work. I would totally forget to keep doing it though. 

[Smossy]

I was reading the first post and trying to figure out what that is. I get it now though. Cool idea. Nice work. I would totally forget to keep doing it though. 

Yea. Its more less something you use in a dire need type situation.com if your lost, equipment failure, or just want to keep track of how far you have traveled. Great tool for backcountry hiking or hunting combined with a good lensatic compass. If your in a situation to where its find your way out or die, I dont think you will have a hard time remembering

[wildmanoutdoors]

For hiking in to a certain area or stand it would be great. Even just plain beating bush hiking. But hunting like most do it would be tough. Still hunting/creeping it would be difficult.
But is a good survival tool if lost but have a map!

[Smossy]

For hiking in to a certain area or stand it would be great. Even just plain beating bush hiking. But hunting like most do it would be tough. Still hunting/creeping it would be difficult.
But is a good survival tool if lost but have a map!

True. Thats basically what I mean. It would be next to impossible to do if your stalking. Your stride is going to change derastically. The 3 stage measurments are uphill pace, downhill pace, and pace on flat terrain. Usually you want to have all those covered but its mostly for straight direction of travel, would be useless for zigzag travel or like I said stalking.. there is too many variables when it comes to that. Still a fun tool to have. I enjoy making and learning new stuff when I can.

[jeepasaurusrex]

When I taught land Nav in the Army, one of the biggest things I pushed about a pace cord is keeping track of your pace. Even if you stop and get distracted, you can still keep track of your pace.  Everyone should know how to use a lensatic compass, map, pace cord, etc.

[Smossy]

When I taught land Nav in the Army, one of the biggest things I pushed about a pace cord is keeping track of your pace. Even if you stop and get distracted, you can still keep track of your pace.  Everyone should know how to use a lensatic compass, map, pace cord, etc.

Agreed, Im still learning but I know Ill feel alot more confident having the skills then not.

[wildmanoutdoors]

When I taught land Nav in the Army, one of the biggest things I pushed about a pace cord is keeping track of your pace. Even if you stop and get distracted, you can still keep track of your pace.  Everyone should know how to use a lensatic compass, map, pace cord, etc.

Agreed, Im still learning but I know Ill feel alot more confident having the skills then not.

Nothing takes the place of basic nav skills. On land and water!

[Worldhunter]

Knowing your pace in varying terrain is a must

[Zardoz]

Man.........no one ever told me there was gonna be math when I get lost in the woods.

[JoeE]

I used one of these when I was in infantry school. Its a good piece of gear.

[earlmarne]

crap,now i have something else to figure out.

[Smossy]

crap,now i have something else to figure out.

The diamond knot was the hardest part. After that making the beads is fairly easy. Just make sure you gutt your paracord before u make the beads.

[washelkhntr]

Here is mine that i have used for over the last 15 years. Worked wonders in SERE and DEST courses. Not out of 550 cord, but work just the same.  Some webbing, beads and a clip. And a little sewing.
 
And can be made in under 5 minutes.

[Smossy]

Here is mine that i have used for over the last 15 years. Worked wonders in SERE and DEST courses. Not out of 550 cord, but work just the same.  Some webbing, beads and a clip. And a little sewing.
 
And can be made in under 5 minutes.

Pretty cool, I was watching duel survival one night and watched the one newer guy make one from those little spring loaded beads you use to secure cord at various lengths and just some knots, made me think to learn how to make a good set for myself. Thats when I came across the 550 cord ones.

[Alchase]

Very cool, the biggest problem with using Pace beads is you have to know where you "is", to know how far it is to where you are going, LOL

Lets see, I just walked, one, two, three, etc...  beads that puts me 2.5 clicks East from where I was originally lost from, that puts me right..................still lost 

Just kidding

[fillthefreezer]

Very cool, the biggest problem with using Pace beads is you have to know where you "is", to know how far it is to where you are going, LOL

Lets see, I just walked, one, two, three, etc...  beads that puts me 2.5 clicks East from where I was originally lost from, that puts me right..................still lost 

Just kidding

my dad and i debate this all the time, its usually compass vs gps to start, then i start talking deep dark timber and close your eyes and spin in a circle, and then he says well back in 'nam     

[Slingeroflead]

Thanks for this post. I was reading a book about a sniper who used pace beads. I had a general idea what they were but not how to use them. I find I rely way too much on my GPS. I need to learn basic compass navigation.
Any good book you guys/gals can recommend?

[Smossy]

Thanks for this post. I was reading a book about a sniper who used pace beads. I had a general idea what they were but not how to use them. I find I rely way too much on my GPS. I need to learn basic compass navigation.
Any good book you guys/gals can recommend?

In all reality Id say Youtube, I use it like a book. Look up "How to use a Map Compass" and "How to use a lansatic Compass".
Two entirely differently tools but In a sense they're the same Different uses.

[Slingeroflead]

Good advice thanks. Hadn't thought of you tube.

[Alchase]

Orienteering class would be a good start
http://www.wildernesscollege.com/wilderness-orienteering-and-navigation-class.html

[Smossy]

Ive looked up that class along time ago but prices are pretty extreme for what I want to cover.

[Worldhunter]

http://www.uvm.edu/~goldbar/FM3_25.26.pdf

This has more than you want to know about map reading and land nav.