Crossword Genius

A brief walk with a live navigational device (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

astrolabe

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'navigational device' is the definition.
(historical type of navigational device)

'a brief walk with a live' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'a' is found in the answer.
'live' could be 'be' (synonyms) and 'be' is located in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for astrolabe that I've seen before include "Observational device" , "Early astronomical instrument" , "Old navigation instrument" , "Navigation aid" , "Navigational device" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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