NavList:
A Community Devoted to the Preservation and Practice of Celestial Navigation and Other Methods of Traditional Wayfinding
Automatic deviation calculation by electronic compasses
From: Joe Schultz
Date: 2009 Nov 23, 11:50 -0800
From: Joe Schultz
Date: 2009 Nov 23, 11:50 -0800
George, "flux-gate compass" is a mature technology. First tried at the fleet level in the first gas-turbined frigates (US Navy) at least 25 years ago. The objective was to get a self-correcting magnetic compass as backup to the gyro-compass, and explore the possibility of removing the then "large footprint" gyro-compass altogether. Taken over by GPS/inertial with a gyro-compass backup. Today's minature electronics means you can buy a relatively inexpensive flux-gate compass and wear it like a wrist-watch. Timex is one brand. Fun is jogging a box (or ellipse) over a steel pipeline. All machines have their limitations. Joe -- NavList message boards: www.fer3.com/arc Or post by email to: NavList@fer3.com To , email NavList+@fer3.com
