Electronic Compass?

[CharlieW.112]

I was just wondering if there are any electronic compasses available that aren't just integrated into dive computers? I currently use a Suunto compass however, I find it annoying and it often messes up. Because of this I would prefer diving with a compass that just gives you your current bearing as a number on a screen. Any ideas?

 

[Dark Blue]

I don’t know of what you’re looking for, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t been built. How is your Suunto messing up on you?

 

[CharlieW.112]

I don’t know of what you’re looking for, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t been built. How is your Suunto messing up on you?

It often freezes up for about 10 seconds and then starts moving again slowly but the water temperature is about 15° so it shouldn't be effecting the compass.

 

[Neilwood]

It often freezes up for about 10 seconds and then starts moving again slowly but the water temperature is about 15° so it shouldn't be effecting the compass.

Unless it is an issue with the way you are holding it ie tilted too much (which will affect the float of the needle) it sounds like there is a fault in the compass as it certainly shouldn't behave like that. Might be an air bubble or something causing the needle to stick.

I have had mine out in 8C water and lower and had no issues with it sticking.

 

[CharlieW.112]

Unless it is an issue with the way you are holding it ie tilted too much (which will affect the float of the needle) it sounds like there is a fault in the compass as it certainly shouldn't behave like that. Might be an air bubble or something causing the needle to stick.

I have had mine out in 8C water and lower and had no issues with it sticking.

I keep it flat and it still messes up however sometimes when I shake it for a few seconds it seems to sort itself out.

 

[Neilwood]

I keep it flat and it still messes up however sometimes when I shake it for a few seconds it seems to sort itself out.

Definitely sounds like there is a fault then - the compass should smoothly transition when you change direction. Mine has never behaved in the way you describe. Did your dive shop sell you it? If so have a word with them or raise it with Suunto as a warranty issue (assuming it is not too old).

 

[CharlieW.112]

Definitely sounds like there is a fault then - the compass should smoothly transition when you change direction. Mine has never behaved in the way you describe. Did your dive shop sell you it? If so have a word with them or raise it with Suunto as a warranty issue (assuming it is not too old).

It is only a few months old and it was bought from Simply Scuba, I'll do a few more dives with it and if the problem doesn't go away I'll get a new one.

 

[Neilwood]

It is only a few months old and it was bought from Simply Scuba, I'll do a few more dives with it and if the problem doesn't go away I'll get a new one.

Pick up the phone to them, explain the situation and see what they say. They are a pretty good company to deal with and they might just replace it without argument. No point in diving with faulty gear if you can avoid it.

 

[Dark Blue]

It is only a few months old and it was bought from Simply Scuba, I'll do a few more dives with it and if the problem doesn't go away I'll get a new one.

Were you using it locally, or were you having problems in another part of the world? Basically, your compass tries to point at the pole, not maganetic north across the surface of the planet. If you are in the wrong hemispere (in Australia, say with a North Hemisphere compass), the compass can tilt to the point it gets stuck. Likewise, the shop may have accidentally provided you a southern hemisphere compass (Suunto of course makes both).

 

[Rred]

Charlie, there's something about the Suunto compass designs that is just crap. I used a cheap ($1.49) ball compass from an auto store for thirty years and it never froze or leaked, so Suunto is just doing something wrong.

Electronic is not necessarily a cure, it will mean batteries, and it needs calibration from time to time. The electronic compasses in phones and tablets that I've used need calibrating WAY more often than any real compass, which usually needs none unless you've been storing it near iron things.