Magnetic Compass

Gervy · #1 (**permalink**) 12-10-2009, 04:30 PM

Other than the figure-8 waving pattern, is there a way to calibrate the compass?
Every compass program I have is off by about a good 60 degrees.

cg83 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-15-2009, 10:51 PM

what program are you using? i see nothing in the program files that has a compass

Gervy · #3 (**permalink**) 12-16-2009, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cg83

what program are you using? i see nothing in the program files that has a compass

There is a handful of compass programs in the marketplace.
Some work better than others.
Every program I use is off by the same amount, even after attempting to calibrate.

tvandyck7 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-16-2009, 01:37 PM

Have you tried Compass v1.0.18 by Snaptic,Inc.? It works flawlessly on my MotoDroid. I compared it to a real handheld physical compass and it was right on the money.

Gervy · #5 (**permalink**) 12-17-2009, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tvandyck7

Have you tried Compass v1.0.18 by Snaptic,Inc.? It works flawlessly on my MotoDroid. I compared it to a real handheld physical compass and it was right on the money.

That one sucked the most for me. I can literally hold my phone still and watch the needle swing back and forth (no matter what sensitivity setting) over a range of 30 degrees.

tvandyck7 · #6 (**permalink**) 12-17-2009, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gervy

That one sucked the most for me. I can literally hold my phone still and watch the needle swing back and forth (no matter what sensitivity setting) over a range of 30 degrees.

That's odd. I wonder if it could be a hardware issue. Like I said before, I have the compass by Snaptic, Inc. on my MotoDroid and it is always within +-3 degrees no matter how you turn it. Google Skymap is always right on as well.

Gervy · #7 (**permalink**) 12-17-2009, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tvandyck7

That's odd. I wonder if it could be a hardware issue. Like I said before, I have the compass by Snaptic, Inc. on my MotoDroid and it is always within +-3 degrees no matter how you turn it. Google Skymap is always right on as well.

Hmmm.... as it's the same range off for any app, I'm inclined to think it's hardware as well.
But given that I'll never really use my phone as a compass, and it doesn't affect navigation apps... I"m not going to bother trading it in. Dealing with Verizon trade-ins is too painful, especially given this is on a corporate account.

tvandyck7 · #8 (**permalink**) 12-22-2009, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gervy

Hmmm.... as it's the same range off for any app, I'm inclined to think it's hardware as well.
But given that I'll never really use my phone as a compass, and it doesn't affect navigation apps... I"m not going to bother trading it in. Dealing with Verizon trade-ins is too painful, especially given this is on a corporate account.

Have you by-chance been using a magnetic case or anything like that? I left mine next to my magnetic case for my other phone overnight and mine was off 60* in all programs in the same direction. I couldn't get it to work right at all. I know this sounds stupid, but I googled it and someone mentioned that flipping it over and tapping/knocking on the back and sides made it work correctly. When I read this, I LOL and said that it was rediculous, but tried it anyway and I'll be a SOB if it didn't work!!! Now it is right on again in every program. I use Maverick Lite now and it works flawlessly. I still have the Snaptic Compass installed but I don't really need it with Maverick. I just make sure and keep it away from magnetic things now.
Maybe you should see if this works for you.

Gervy · #9 (**permalink**) 12-23-2009, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tvandyck7

Have you by-chance been using a magnetic case or anything like that? I left mine next to my magnetic case for my other phone overnight and mine was off 60* in all programs in the same direction. I couldn't get it to work right at all. I know this sounds stupid, but I googled it and someone mentioned that flipping it over and tapping/knocking on the back and sides made it work correctly. When I read this, I LOL and said that it was rediculous, but tried it anyway and I'll be a SOB if it didn't work!!! No it is right on again in every program. I use Maverick Lite now and it works flawlessly. I still have the Snaptic Compass installed but I don't really need it with Maverick. I just make sure and keep it away from magnetic things now.
Maybe you should see if this works for you.

I'll have to give it a try. Thanks!