Which method is considered more accurate for getting an azimuth?

The compass to cheek method is recognized as a highly accurate technique for obtaining an azimuth because it allows the user to align the compass with the target while simultaneously maintaining a clear and steady view of the sights. By holding the compass against the cheek, the user can stabilize it and reduce the effects of magnetic interference from the body. This positioning also helps achieve a clearer line of sight to the object being referenced, leading to more precise readings.

The other methods, while useful in their own right, may not provide the same level of accuracy. The center hold technique involves holding the compass at waist level, which can introduce more error due to the movement of the arm and not being able to see the sight line as clearly. Standard grid alignment relies on aligning terrain features with map coordinates, which could lead to discrepancies in azimuth if the terrain does not match perfectly. Magnetic declination adjustment requires prior knowledge of the local magnetic declination and does not inherently improve the accuracy of the compass reading itself; it merely corrects for the difference between true north and magnetic north. Thus, while all methods have their applications, the compass to cheek method stands out for its precision in achieving an accurate azimuth.