F5X compass - calibration off?

Anyone know how the digital compass works on the 5x?
Does it request GPS?

I was in my basement and I was looking at star/constellation images with a son, and we needed to orient north. I know which we is North in my basement, but was going to use the watch to demonstrate a compass. But no matter which way I turned, it seems like East was always the heading. I even went outside for a brief period.

I rarely if even use that digital compass, but last time I did, I thought it was working. Today. It was east even if I faced North or South.

Ideas?

0 razmichael over 6 years ago

If you are using the compass widget it does not use GPS - it is a 3 axis electronic compass with auto-calibrating by default. As such, you would not expect it to be accurate in a basement as likely too metal and electronics around (like a regular compass). Manual explains how to initiate a manual compass calibration https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/fenix5x/EN-US/GUID-4C4297B5-1632-4CC8-98B9-67C6682A3745.html if needed. If outside, away from objects that might impact it, it still has issues you may need to contact support (you could also run the internal diagnostics to see what the compass is reporting. Not likely related to your issue, the compass can be set for True North, Magnetic North or other declinations.

0 Odie21 over 6 years ago

Sounds like a possible gimbal lock. Restart your watch, the compass should be back to normal. If it’s not, try what Raz said and calibrate the compass.

0 jetguat over 6 years ago

Sounds like a possible gimbal lock. Restart your watch, the compass should be back to normal. If it’s not, try what Raz said and calibrate the compass.

I will try the manual calibration now. But while logged in, I guess I'll ask about gimbal lock. What is it? and when you say restart, I assume you mean, simple power off/power on?

0 Odie21 over 6 years ago

When you’re taking a compass reading and it just stays in the same position regardless of where your movements are, that’s a GL. Usually an “off” and “on” of the watch usually solves the problem. If it doesn’t, there may be a bigger issue. That’s where I’d download the WebUpdater and reinstall the current software version to try to determine if iyour problem is software or hardware related.