The two conversion references given refer to "Hour Angle". This is a value used in astronomical positioning/navigation which is definitely not suitable for e.g hiking, cycling etc:
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hour_angle.
Menion used instead the "Clock Position/Bearing" which is completely different and is simple, widely known (but not in France apparently ?), and very suitable for hiking etc. It uses a 12 hour clock. I've been familiar with it since I was a child as I guess most will be in at least English speaking countries, though younger generations might not be as familiar with it perhaps.
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clock_position
It was (maybe still is) famously used by pilots in WW2, as in "Bandits at 6 O'Clock" for enemy fighters at the rear, also in the Oscar winning film "Twelve O'Clock High"
In a vehice the direction is relative to the heading - i.e. the long axis of the vehicle body - in an aircraft or boat this is probably not the direction of motion because of cross-winds or currents.
Not sure of the context it was being used in, in the example, but for e.g. hiking the only thing to be careful about is to be clear what it is relative to. For example:
The two things I most often want to know when hiking, without having to refer to my map/phone are:
"What direction should I be heading to follow the planned route"
"How far am I from the route"
I use a custom announcement system which speaks, on-demand, something like:
"Current direction: West North West. Distance to track: 5 m. Follow track on bearing, East North East, at 4 o clock. After 372 meters, Bear left. Next waypoint, after 4.9 kilometers, is xxxxxx"
Or if off course by greater than a limit:
Warning. Distance to track: 113 meters. Current direction: West. Follow track on bearing, West North West, at 1 o clock.
The clock directions here, however, are relative to direction of motion as that is better defined than the direction the phone happens to be pointing in - if it's in my pocket that would be random.
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hour_angle.
Menion used instead the "Clock Position/Bearing" which is completely different and is simple, widely known (but not in France apparently ?), and very suitable for hiking etc. It uses a 12 hour clock. I've been familiar with it since I was a child as I guess most will be in at least English speaking countries, though younger generations might not be as familiar with it perhaps.
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clock_position
It was (maybe still is) famously used by pilots in WW2, as in "Bandits at 6 O'Clock" for enemy fighters at the rear, also in the Oscar winning film "Twelve O'Clock High"
In a vehice the direction is relative to the heading - i.e. the long axis of the vehicle body - in an aircraft or boat this is probably not the direction of motion because of cross-winds or currents.
Not sure of the context it was being used in, in the example, but for e.g. hiking the only thing to be careful about is to be clear what it is relative to. For example:
The two things I most often want to know when hiking, without having to refer to my map/phone are:
"What direction should I be heading to follow the planned route"
"How far am I from the route"
I use a custom announcement system which speaks, on-demand, something like:
"Current direction: West North West. Distance to track: 5 m. Follow track on bearing, East North East, at 4 o clock. After 372 meters, Bear left. Next waypoint, after 4.9 kilometers, is xxxxxx"
Or if off course by greater than a limit:
Warning. Distance to track: 113 meters. Current direction: West. Follow track on bearing, West North West, at 1 o clock.
The clock directions here, however, are relative to direction of motion as that is better defined than the direction the phone happens to be pointing in - if it's in my pocket that would be random.
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