Compass use in a vehicle
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When I use the compass on my watch band while in the car I have to move the compass to the center console area to get it to read accurately.
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A vehicle will throw off your compass, lots of metal. You need to move 15-20 feet away to shoot an azimuth or it will be affected. I've seen guys layout a map on the hood of a vehicle, plot a course, shoot an azimuth and start off in the wrong direction.
A second compass next to the one you're using will throw off a reading also, so will a rifle.
A second compass next to the one you're using will throw off a reading also, so will a rifle.
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1,267 Posts
The compass that I kept in my old Mustang would go completely wonkers
sitting in the little change compartment I kept it in. I got even worse when
the car was moving.
I finally figured out that it was right over the drive shaft hump and
that large chunk of spinning steel was playing havoc with the compass.
sitting in the little change compartment I kept it in. I got even worse when
the car was moving.
I finally figured out that it was right over the drive shaft hump and
that large chunk of spinning steel was playing havoc with the compass.
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1,333 Posts
A compass contains a magnet. Magnets are attracted to metal.
Your car is made of metal, therefore what you are experiencing is normal. :thumb:
FIFY.
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What if when I look to the sun I confirm that I'm not traveling north or south? And that my wrist compass follows magnetic north rather than the engine block as I change direction.A compass contains a magnet. Magnets are attracted to metal.
Your car is made of metal, therefore what you are experiencing is normal. :thumb:
FIFY.
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164 Posts
Hello everyone.
The topic of using compasses in metal vehicles has a simple solution: As you know, magnetic compasses are affected by the metal mass of the car, and also by the electric wiring, the solution is to install a gyro compass. gyro compasses not dependent on terrestrial magnetism, and balancing work with planetary rotation. To do this use a rings rotating system powered by a electric source, and this type of compass always pointing true north, so that they do not need to calculate the declination for the area in which we are moving.
In the market there are many models for installation in all types of metal motor vehicles, but often bulky and are not cheap. Install a gyro compass in a car is something I see as suitable for professionals or for people who take long-distance inland navigation very seriously, and need high-precision equipment
Greetings
The topic of using compasses in metal vehicles has a simple solution: As you know, magnetic compasses are affected by the metal mass of the car, and also by the electric wiring, the solution is to install a gyro compass. gyro compasses not dependent on terrestrial magnetism, and balancing work with planetary rotation. To do this use a rings rotating system powered by a electric source, and this type of compass always pointing true north, so that they do not need to calculate the declination for the area in which we are moving.
In the market there are many models for installation in all types of metal motor vehicles, but often bulky and are not cheap. Install a gyro compass in a car is something I see as suitable for professionals or for people who take long-distance inland navigation very seriously, and need high-precision equipment
Greetings
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Hope your watch works and don't forget the fact that magnetic north isn't where it used to be.What if when I look to the sun I confirm that I'm not traveling north or south? And that my wrist compass follows magnetic north rather than the engine block as I change direction.
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Yes, there's something wrong with your vehicle. It's made of metal. If you want your compass to be accurate, move away from the vehicle.
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Never use a compass inside or near any vehicle or large deposits of metal or electrical equipment like power lines. Also take some land navigation courses so you don't NEED to rely on a compass as often. Long ago I learned to index off of the sun's position in the sky. I learned this while I was in combat in Viet Nam. My wife and I have been together for 25 years and it still amazes her to this day that I instinctively know what direction I'm facing. She's always been curious about this "ability" of mine so I made it into a bit of a joke between us. I told her that I was part homing pigeon. Her response was, "Well, my NEXT husband is going to be normal..."
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