Compass loses calibration

Hi everyone. I have an instinct 3 solar tactical 50mm with 9.21 where the compass loses its calibration. This happens several times a day. When this happens, when you turn the watch the compass ”stands still” and N, S, W, E follows the watch around but with twitch, it seems to work a while after a calibration, but often within minutes it fails again.

Anyone else with the same problem?

Or anyone knows what to do?

https://share.icloud.com/photos/04fmdMucOeDClLccGS537sz9Q

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0 gaijin 7 months ago

Of the three available Compass settings (Auto, GPS, and Magnetometer), try setting your compass to Magnetometer and you should experience smooth compass tracking.

HTH

0 Sumerion 7 months ago in reply to gaijin

Thanks, Will try this tomorrow.

0 trux 7 months ago in reply to Sumerion

And if it does not help, try removing the wristband and especially the springbars holding it. Magnetized springbars can cause this kind of problems. If so, then demagnetize or replace them.

0 Sumerion 7 months ago

Hello

I changed the setting yesterday to mag and it worked fine the rest of the day. Today I tried to change back to automatic and the compass has worked fine all day. Hopefully it Will work from now on. I Will report back if the problem continues.

Thanks for the help.

0 Stereomonkey 7 months ago in reply to Sumerion

It is important to note here that if the Automatic mode is turned on and any activity with GPS is launched, then the compass will show direction based on GPS movement (and if you do not move and just stand still, it will just show complete nonsense).

0 4770740 7 months ago

Have same issue on Instinct 3 tactical solar 45 mm. Occurs every time GPS activates (no matter auto or magnetometer option chosen in compass setup): use GPS (Run exercise for example) = must calibrate compass.

FW 9.21

SW 5.14

0 4770740 7 months ago in reply to gaijin

As i wrote before your suggestion works only untill GPS activities started, after that Mag option doesn't work and personally mine compass fail on 30 deg from true North.

Still on FW 9.21. Maybe 9.25 will fix it, we'll see.

0 gaijin 7 months ago in reply to 4770740

I just tried this on my Instinct 3 Tactical AMOLED with a Hike activity and my compass performed perfectly. While standing still I could turn in a complete circle and watch the compass accurately track all 360 degrees of movement.

I have compass set to Magnetometer, and in the Activity settings for Hike I have Auto Pause OFF, Auto Climb OFF, 3D Speed OFF and 3D Distance OFF.

Satellites are set to Default: All + Multiband. I have data recording set to Every Second.

I am using Software version 9.21.

You might try adjusting your settings (especially Auto Pause) to duplicate mine and see if you still observe erratic compass behavior.

HTH

0 trux 7 months ago in reply to gaijin

I can confirm. I just tested it too. I used two Instinct 3 watches for the test, both of them were in the auto mode for compass. I checked the compass - both watches showed the identical heading. Then I started an outdoor activity on one of them, staying indoors to prevent correct GPS reception. Still identical value on both of them. Then I stepped out on the terrace, and waited for good GPS lock. Still identical heading on both watches.

If you see different heading in magnetometric mode and in GPS mode, then (besides removing or demagnetizing the springbars), I recommend calibrating the compass in each of the modes separately.

0 4770740 7 months ago in reply to trux

Looks like in my current area really bad GPS signal, so in GPS only mode compass on my watch doesn't work at all (arrow stuck on 1 direction for minute and then moves accidentally). Then Mag option chosen it works, but still loose calibration for 30 degree after use GPS or GPS activities. I don't like that calibration loss even if i choose only Mag mode, please fix it.