map62s compass

Discussion in 'Garmin GPS' started by islayhawk, Oct 22, 2017.

  1. islayhawk

    islayhawk

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    Anyone have trouble with the map62s compass. Couple of times when navigating to a waypoint the compass is very eratic and not pointing to the waypoint I was navigating to. At one point it was pointing a full 180 out. I did a recalibration before setting out.
     
    islayhawk, Oct 22, 2017
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  2. islayhawk

    Nuvi-Nebie Moderator

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    I think your use of the word compass is a bit missleading, the compass points to magnetic North. The pointer often becomes irratic when it gets near to a waypoint due to errors in calculating it's position. When it is some distance away from the waypoint all the possible 'guesses' for a real location are in the same direction, so the pointer does not jump about, however, when you are only a few feet away, the 'guesses' are all around you, so the pointer jumps about.

    Recalibrating the electronic compass will not change this problem, the GPS is trying to determin where the waypoint is not North, the problem will be reduced by getting a better location 'fix' with more/stronger satellite signals, away from trees etc.
     
    Nuvi-Nebie, Oct 22, 2017
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  3. islayhawk

    islayhawk

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    This was more than 800metres from waypoint with no buildings etc that could affect directional compass arrow. Going to map page was fine and showed the pink line to follow but 'compass' arrow was erratic
     
    islayhawk, Oct 22, 2017
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  4. islayhawk

    Nuvi-Nebie Moderator

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    Your 62s has two ways of determining N, S, E, W, it has an electronic compass (that needs calibrating) , and works completely independently of the GPS, it also has a GPS compass that only works when the unit is moving, if the electronic compass is causing the problem, you could try temporarily turning it off with Compass Set-Up >> Compass >> (set to Off), the unit will then use the GPS compass instead, remember when in this mode, you have to walk with the unit for it it determin N, S, E, W
     
    Nuvi-Nebie, Oct 22, 2017
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