Compass fitting

snowbirds

snowbirds

Full Member
Posts
2,990
Likes
1,491
Hi Campers,

Just unpacked my new Compass for the van and found it had instructions for fitting,
1, take compass to back of van take reading,then get in driviing seat start engine,put on radio, wipers and any other electrical devices that could cause magnetic problems and place so you get the same readings.
I would have just put it straight on the dashboard.:idea-007:

Snowbirds.:sleep-040::sleep-040:
 
That depends on whether or not you want it to be accurate or just point at the biggest magnet in your van... We have a Silva one which has compensating magnets, this involves aligning the vehicle to the cardinal points, taking readings,splitting the difference... (Aka 'compass swinging'). Still not as complicated as doing it with aircraft though.
 
snowbirds said:
Hi Campers,

Just unpacked my new Compass for the van and found it had instructions for fitting,
1, take compass to back of van take reading,then get in driviing seat start engine,put on radio, wipers and any other electrical devices that could cause magnetic problems and place so you get the same readings.
I would have just put it straight on the dashboard.:idea-007:

Snowbirds.:sleep-040::sleep-040:
Click to expand...

I had to go around in circles when I fitted a fluxgate compass to my (fibreglass) boat!
 
All seeems very complicated I will stick to shadow and stick or my watch....

channa
 
Many years ago I learned how to swing a compass, but never got to use the skill. Must be the oldest swinger in town now.
 
Curious as to why you need a compass in your motorhome ?

Perhaps if crossing the Sahara one might need a one but cannot otherwise cannot see the need in the age of satnavs etc.
 
snowbirds said:
Hi Campers,

Just unpacked my new Compass for the van and found it had instructions for fitting,
1, take compass to back of van take reading,then get in driviing seat start engine,put on radio, wipers and any other electrical devices that could cause magnetic problems and place so you get the same readings.
I would have just put it straight on the dashboard.:idea-007:

Snowbirds.:sleep-040::sleep-040:
Click to expand...

Hope you enjoy your trip to Africa where GPS doesn't work, have a good time but don't tell us the temperature,
 
We use the compass to determine which way round to park to get the best view/shade/sun on solar panel. Also handy for wind direction to forecast weather and navigation without GPS...
 
Lost in Paris

Hi David,

I don't trust my sat-nav at the best of times some of the places it has taken me too.Two years on the trot I have tried to skirt Paris to save journey time and both times it was running but taking me in circles around the centre and not on the ring road,in the end I switched it off and followed the Sun.:idea-007:

Regards Snowbirds.
 
compass

Never needed a compass, the Sun on your Left rising is east, sun on your right setting is west, in-between facing is south, turn around and left west, east right, in front is north, simples, unless of course it's dark and you are lost, mind you I don't travel in the dark.
 
snowbirds said:
Hi David,

I don't trust my sat-nav at the best of times some of the places it has taken me too.Two years on the trot I have tried to skirt Paris to save journey time and both times it was running but taking me in circles around the centre and not on the ring road,in the end I switched it off and followed the Sun.:idea-007:

Regards Snowbirds.
Click to expand...

Paris, an amazing city. It has two ring roads, the inner ring road which is "messy" and the outer ring road known as The Peripherique, and getting lost requires no skill at all. I had to learn my way round as a coach driver, and I eventually did, although I don't know how I would do now, probably get lost all over again!:lol-049::lol-049::lol-049:
 
Hi Debs


I will go by plane and walk around next time, but we have stayed on the camp site and used the bus and metro to the centre.

Snowbirds.:drive::cool1:





Debs said:
Paris, an amazing city. It has two ring roads, the inner ring road which is "messy" and the outer ring road known as The Peripherique, and getting lost requires no skill at all. I had to learn my way round as a coach driver, and I eventually did, although I don't know how I would do now, probably get lost all over again!:lol-049::lol-049::lol-049:
Click to expand...
 
Having a compass in the van is handy for locating various landmarks or in the Highlands identifying various mountains or POI so as to transfer the view to a map, ....most sat navs will do this though

Alf

Obanboy666 said:
Curious as to why you need a compass in your motorhome ?

Perhaps if crossing the Sahara one might need a one but cannot otherwise cannot see the need in the age of satnavs etc.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Now you know that isn't true David, a light aircraft will fly a healthy altitude to take advantage of VOR and NDB's which they can track from or to. Using a map aware of frequencies that apply to the upper airways, a passing jet within 150 miles or so will give a "fix " if needed so wind drift and track can be re configured.

Naturally 100 miles or so from two VORS simple trig will establish exact position.

It might surprise but we flew like this way before gps. So your assumption light aircraft would be in trouble in Africa is plain wrong.

Channa
 
channa said:
Now you know that isn't true David, a light aircraft will fly a healthy altitude to take advantage of VOR and NDB's which they can track from or to. Using a map aware of frequencies that apply to the upper airways, a passing jet within 150 miles or so will give a "fix " if needed so wind drift and track can be re configured.

Naturally 100 miles or so from two VORS simple trig will establish exact position.

It might surprise but we flew like this way before gps. So your assumption light aircraft would be in trouble in Africa is plain wrong.

Channa
Click to expand...

A few anomalies here:
The passing jet is very unlikely to be able to give a fix.
VORs and NDBs are often so far apart in Africa that large areas are outside their coverage to a light aircraft.
Decca was switched off in 2001.
Apart from this, it should be perfectly possible to navigate in Africa using dead reckoning as has been used since the beginning of aviation (see Alex Henshaw's Flight of the Mew Gull for example), though no doubt GPS is a great help!
 
And then there's the variation depending where in the world you are driving/sailing :boat:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who viewed this discussion (Total:0)

Back
Top