Compass sensor affected by the springbars

I've checked my Solar 2 today. And I've found out my compass (GPS turned off ofcourse) is also affected by the watch pins. When removed and recalibrated North is showing in the same direction as my physical compass.

When holding 1 of the pins near the the side, the North of the watch starts turning. Both watch pins give similar results.

I've contact support in my country today. They're going to send me a new set of springbars now. And they asked me to try these. They told me they're investigating the case already. But they didn't knew yet if it was hardware or software related.

But guess it's pretty clear which one it will be.

Thiss person however was verry helpfull. I'm just going to try the new spring bars, hopefully there's a change in material already.

I guess the problem would have been solved if those springbars and springs would be made out materials like stainless steel.

Rockel83 said:

I guess the problem would have been solved if those springbars and springs would be made out materials like stainless steel.

Most types of stainless steel can be easily magnetized, so it would not necessarily help (current springbars are likely already made from stainless steel anyway). If stainless steel, then it would have to be austenitic stainless steel, which is non-magnetic.

Oh, didn't knew that. Always thought that stainless steel was not affected by magnetism.

I was actually looking to try out a de-magnetizer. However I'm not quite willing to pay $14 for only trying demagnetizing 1 set of springbars. I'm going to make one myself.

A lot of people will have laying around some old broken devices. Most of the nowadays electric devices will contain a transformator, which is an electric coil, which is exactly what is used in cheap simple demagnetizers.

Update:

Got in touch with the local Garmin support regarding this issue. As mentioned before, they've told me invstigating this case already and they've sen me new spring bars.

I've recieved and replaed them today. The old spring bars look more bright and shiny. Not sure if its because another material or that it got more shiny because of use and probably having the wristband polished it by rotating over all the time.

But for now the problem seems to be over by replacing them with the new ones. The compass was calibrated right away, and it seems to turn normally whithout staying put to one specific place.

If the material seems to be still the same, then I expect the problem returning later. But I will keep people informed about it here 

Same issues as everyone else. It was the spring pins! 

Change or demagnetize the spring bars - either call Garmin Support, and they'll send you a replacement, or buy some online - they cost close to nothing. Demagnetizers can be purchased for ~$5, or you can make one yourself (check YT for the DIY tutorials)

If the springs are demagnetized, will the problem with the compass disappear?