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Author	Topic:   digital compass
alvispollard	posted 02-27-2001 06:17 AM ET (US)         Has anyone tryed a digital compass? What brand, how long used, and how reliable? With a GPS I don't see the need of putting a lot of $ into a compass. Any feedback appreciated. Would like a small unit for my montauk.
jimh	posted 02-27-2001 08:53 AM ET (US)             KVH is the only brand I know of with a flux gate compass ("digital"). See: http://www.kvh.com/support/faqs/azimuth1000_faq.html A standard magnetic compass like a Ritchie works without electricity or Defense Department satellites. There might be something to be said for that.
jimh	posted 02-27-2001 08:59 AM ET (US)             One thing that attracted me to Whalers was the location of a nice large compass right behind the helm. Seeing a big compass mounted on a boat like a Montauk implies that the boat is designed for and capable of making passages long enough and far enough offshore that a compass is needed to navigate. --jimh
Dick	posted 02-27-2001 09:00 AM ET (US)             I have never used a digital compass. I do have a Ritchie S53 on my Montauk and am very happy with it. It doesn't take up very much room and sells for around $50. It's just there as a backup for my GPS. Dick
stagalv	posted 02-27-2001 12:02 PM ET (US)             I am rebuilding my entire boat and have been thinking about a compass lately. On a Montauk have you guys experienced much interference from the boats equipment mounted near the compass (Deviation)? I plan to mount a GPS and Fishfinder and am thinking I may not have enough space between instruments to NOT interfere with a mag compass. Anybody ever swing the compass yourself or do you need a compass shop to do it? Rex
triblet	posted 02-27-2001 01:56 PM ET (US)             I had trouble with the speaker magnet on my VHF interfereing with the compass. With a GPS, it's EASY to swing the boat. Just set the GPS to indicate magnetic bearings and run straight lines in different directions and you can get a good first order test. Unless you are doing serious dead reckoning, you don't need to know that your compass is off by a degree or two. Chuck

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