Topic: Broken compass (Read 7600 times)

whoRya · « **on:** April 15, 2013 »

I was out doing some navigation on Saturday and near the end of the day when comparing a bearing with another team member it became apparent that my compass was giving out a seriously erroneous reading. It was reading that North was almost 180 degrees out compared to the other compass.

After some discussion it was thought that the magnet on my hydration bladder/sternum strap may have interfered with my compass. I have since used the magnet to drag the red side back round to point in a northerly direction again, but I have just taken some bearings using three different compasses, my one, a brand new one out of a packet and another cheap one. My compass is reading about 5 degrees out compared to the other two.

I'm not sure if there is anything I can do to repair it. I suppose this may serve as a warning to others about the damage that can be caused to a compass. At £25 for a decent compass it is a bit of a kick in the teeth.

Has anyone else had this experience? Any ideas of anything that can be done?

LandyLiam · « **Reply #1 on:** April 15, 2013 »

this is what you need to read

http://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/page.php?id=5385

i have a compass that flipped 180 deg

fortunately i had my trusty gps with me at the time

whoRya · « **Reply #2 on:** April 15, 2013 »

Thanks Liam you're a legend. That article actually refers to reverse polarity often being 10 degrees out from 180 degrees. I like this bit:

Quote

Kevin Thomson, Marketing Manager at Silva Ltd says:

'It is possible to 'reverse' the reversed polarity using a strong magnet. This can be achieved by quickly flicking the magnet outwards along the 'north' end of the needle. Repeat vice-versa. Always ensure you compare with a compass that is known to be correct. Note: If you are unsure how to cure your Silva compass then Silva will always take back and re-magnetise your compass, no matter how old [it] is.'

That sounds like customer service, I'll report back how I get on.

Now to see if that bag of rice has revived my iphone; it wasn't a good day!

Kayakgirl · « **Reply #3 on:** April 16, 2013 »

Rice worked with mine.

Mourneman · « **Reply #4 on:** April 16, 2013 »

Same problem,same hydration pack,remove magnets & metals,calibrate compass at beginning of each day when using,good luck

whoRya · « **Reply #5 on:** April 16, 2013 »

Mourneman, what do you do to calibrate your compass? Check that it is accurate with other compasses?

Eamonn · « **Reply #6 on:** April 16, 2013 »

Turn the compass 360 degrees making sure the needle moves freely and doesn't stick. Then use your compass to set the map, so put the compass on the map and turn the map so the north needle points north on the map. Then check the features on the map match up with the land.

whoRya · « **Reply #7 on:** April 16, 2013 »

Cheers for the reply Eamonn, seems like a good common sense check for every trip.

The Silva website said that contact should always be made with the retailer in the first instance. Having now spoken to Cotswolds, they said that they can do what Silva would do anyway. I'll take it in to them and then test it against a compass in the store and see if it is permanently off course or not.

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Author Topic: Broken compass (Read 7600 times)

whoRya

Broken compass

LandyLiam

Re: Broken compass

whoRya

Re: Broken compass

Kayakgirl

Broken compass

Mourneman

Re: Broken compass

whoRya

Re: Broken compass

Eamonn

Re: Broken compass

whoRya

Re: Broken compass

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