Compass - How does it work???
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 52
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My guess is that it is magnetic.
The manual describes how to calibrate it based on your location in the country to make it more accurate. The bands\location relate to magnetic fields. You have to drive in circles for about 30 seconds, I assume this is to let the compass adjust to the magnetic fields.
If it was GPS based I can't see why you would need to calibrate based on location, you would just need 3 satelites from basically anywhere.
The manual describes how to calibrate it based on your location in the country to make it more accurate. The bands\location relate to magnetic fields. You have to drive in circles for about 30 seconds, I assume this is to let the compass adjust to the magnetic fields.
If it was GPS based I can't see why you would need to calibrate based on location, you would just need 3 satelites from basically anywhere.
Junior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 63
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It's a device known as a flux gate compass. Inside the little plastic box between the mirror and the windshield are a series of electronic coils that sense magnetic fields.
Most window tint films are created by coating the plastic film with vaporized metal that can interfere with the compass. It can also keep a radar detector from working.
Most window tint films are created by coating the plastic film with vaporized metal that can interfere with the compass. It can also keep a radar detector from working.
New User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 13
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From: Ottawa, Canada
You see... there is this giant chunk of Magnetic rock up north in the Canadian Arctic, and it causes the magnitized hand on the compass to....
Oh..Not so much detail I guess!..lol
Sorry
lol
Oh..Not so much detail I guess!..lol
Sorry
lol
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 796
Likes: 1
it's a traditional magnetic compass and the fancy part is the electronic readout display.
But it is an option that i appreciate.
Despite rumors to the contrary , it is not powered by Kryptonite
But it is an option that i appreciate.
Despite rumors to the contrary , it is not powered by Kryptonite
Last edited by 03f150man; Feb 23, 2005 at 12:03 AM.
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From: Long Island USA
Originally Posted by BiggDogg
You see... there is this giant chunk of Magnetic rock up north in the Canadian Arctic, and it causes the magnitized hand on the compass to....
Anyway, what the other guys said, it's magnetic.
Did you ever use a GPS and stop dead and then turn it around 180 degrees? DId you notice that the North pointer didn't rotate when you turned the GPS around? That's because it has NO idea, when you are at a standstill, which way the receiver is pointing. It only knows which way North is when you move.
My question is this: If the GPS is moving, and it's showing a true "north", is it the north pole, or magnetic north?
art k.
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Joined: Aug 2004
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Originally Posted by krewat
My question is this: If the GPS is moving, and it's showing a true "north", is it the north pole, or magnetic north?
art k.
art k.
http://powerboat.about.com/od/naviga...orth_wayup.htm
Jim