iPad compass does not point north

[munkees]

My iPad compass does not point north in fact I think it is off about 15-20 degrees

 

[vini-vidi-vici]

News flash - No compass points north (unless you happen to be in a spot with zero declination). They point to magnetic north, which, if you're in north America is somewhere in northern Canada. Google magnetic declination.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Give it some Viagra and have your g/f multi-touch. It will then start pointing north.

 

[munkees]

News flash - No compass points north (unless you happen to be in a spot with zero declination). They point to magnetic north, which, if you're in north America is somewhere in northern Canada. Google magnetic declination.

I am talking about Magnetic North, not true north.

 

[MisterMe]

I am talking about Magnetic North, not true north.

And you know this how?

 

[munkees]

And you know this how?

because

Most people incorrectly believe that a compass needle points to the north magnetic pole. But since the Earth's field is the effect of complex convection currents in the magma, which must be described as several dipoles, each with a different intensity and orientation, the compass actually points to the sum of the effects of these dipoles at your location. In other words, it aligns itself with the magnetic lines of force. Other factors, of local and solar origin, further complicate the resulting field. It may be all right to say that a compass needle points "magnetic north" but it only roughly points to the north magnetic dip pole.

Any how the compasses apps on my iPad do not point to the same as my 2 compasses I am using for reference, these are military lensatic compass made by Cammenga


and when using a compass app you expected it to be with in a good +/- of what a compass would point too.

I have tried 2 apps, both have -15 degree off what my compasses pass too.

 

[saberahul]

Is the compass only on the Wifi+3G or is it also on the Wifi model? I couldn't find it on my friends wifi only model. Thanks.

 

[munkees]

Is the compass only on the Wifi+3G or is it also on the Wifi model? I couldn't find it on my friends wifi only model. Thanks.

it is on all versions of the iPad, but you have to download a compass app.

 

[saberahul]

it is on all versions of the iPad, but you have to download a compass app.

Lol... I was trying to use it in the Maps application. Thanks for the reply!

 

[vw195]

Oh my goodness, the pole shift has taken place!

 

[Ruahrc]

Could it be a declination thing?

 

[4DThinker]

Now that you know how much your compass is off, simply subtract (or add?) the error and you'll know right where North really is.

 

[icanhasiphone?]

WTF, You can use the compass in the "Maps" Application that came wif the iPad. Tap on the locator button twice. tada!

 

[jtara]

Make sure you take it out of your magnetically-clasped case, keep it away from speakers, electrical outlets or wiring, other magnetic sources, etc.

 

[Stetrain]

The iPhone 3GS compass app includes instructions on moving the device in a figure 8 pattern to calibrate the compass.

 

[munkees]

Make sure you take it out of your magnetically-clasped case, keep it away from speakers, electrical outlets or wiring, other magnetic sources, etc.

I went to a clear location at least 10m of metal to test the device.

The iPhone 3GS compass app includes instructions on moving the device in a figure 8 pattern to calibrate the compass.

one of the apps I have mentioned moving the device around, I will give it a try thanks.

 

[munkees]

The moving the iPad in a figure of 8 seem to of corrected and re-calibrated the device, thanks.

 

[MisterMe]

because




Any how the compasses apps on my iPad do not point to the same as my 2 compasses I am using for reference, these are military lensatic compass made by Cammenga


and when using a compass app you expected it to be with in a good +/- of what a compass would point too.

I have tried 2 apps, both have -15 degree off what my compasses pass too.

There is an old saying:

The man who has one watch always knows the time;
The man who has two is never sure.

I asked you how did you know that your iPad compass was not point to magnetic north. You implied that your "standard" is two other compasses. Your reasoning is most flawed. Your mechanical compasses may suffer from the same source of error that afflicts your iPad. Each may suffer from their own sources of error. Before drawing a conclusion about the accuracy of any one of your compasses, you need a proper calibration for comparison.

FWIW, my experience with the iPad (and iPhone) is that it is substantially more sensitive than any mechanical compass that I have ever seen. When using the compass functions of any of these new digital devices, it is imperative that you make ensure that there are no sources of magnetic field in the vicinity. plain code GmnH's plaincode™ Compass HD + Vector Magnetometer/Gravitometer will allow you to develop a 3D vector map of your local magnetic field.

 

[jtara]

plain code GmnH's plaincode™ Compass HD + Vector Magnetometer/Gravitometer will allow you to develop a 3D vector map of your local magnetic field.

And they are about the prettiest apps around for iPad.

Also will double as part of a "ghostbusters" Halloween costume...