Compass: Description and Operation
COMPASS DescriptionDESCRIPTION
- This electronic compass is able to display 8 primary directions: N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW.
- The compass switch (1) is used to operate the compass.
- All standard compasses determine direction relative to Magnetic North; however, this electronic compass is designed to display direction relative to True North.
- The difference between Magnetic North and True North varies from place to place across the surface of the earth.
- This electronic compass must be told approximately where it is on the earth s surface so that the Magnetic North reading can be properly converted into a True North display.
- To tell the electronic compass where it s at, the earth is separated into numbered Zone Variances . The Zone Variance number in which the compass is to function must be entered into this electronic compass.
- Each zone is magnetically about 4.2° wide. Typically, anything under 22.5° total zone change is not noticed on the electronic compass display. However, over 22.5°, a reading may be off by one or more primary directions.
- On long trips, a vehicle may leave its original zone and enter one or more new zones. Generally, you do not need to reset the compass zone if you travel between 3 or 4 zones, such as business travel or vacation. The typical driver will not notice any difference on the display within 3 or 4 zones. However, if the vehicle is permanently moved to a new location, it is recommended that the compass zone be reset.