Is Electronic Compass on Garmin 76csx useful?

Hi,

When back packing or kayaking it is often hard to figure out in what
direction to go from standing still - GPS does not know your orientation. So
you've got to get moving to figure out if you are going in right direction.
And as often as not you have to backtrack once you realized you started in
wrong direction :-)

I wonder if electronic compass is helpful with this issue. I have no idea on
what principal it works (satelites, magnetic ?) so I wonder if it has any
limitations. I assume it is able to show true north anywhere is it correct?

Thank you very much

Alex

wrote:


        As my GPSR picks up my direction within a couple of steps, I
have to wonder how much backtracking, as opposed to simply turning a
bit, tou have to do. If this is a severe problem for you, I'd suggest
noting the direction you're pointed in just before coming to a stop.

kashe@sonic.net wrote:
It uses the earths magnetic field just like a regular compas so you do not have=
to be moving.
--=20
Gil W0MN Yanoff +, the PDA reader
Creed en las obras y no en las palabras

Gil Baron wrote...


Not at all like a "regular" compass. An ordinary magnetic compass always
indicates the horizontal component of the Earth's magnetic field whereas the
majority of electronic compasses measure the magnetic field in just two
orthogonal directions and then infer the direction of the horizontal
component. This is a crucial difference and not just a bit of semantics,
since it means that such a compass requires calibration and is susceptible
to large errors if not held absolutely level both during calibration and
use.

David

Well, when signal is good, it will give you your direction quickly. When it
is rotten ...
Also when you need to lunch your kayak in strong winds and waves and decide
very quickly which way to go, knowing direction upfront is helpful.

But I agree with you that mostly GPS itself is enough. Especially if you
keep your eye on next target and know your general direction (sometimes hard
on huge lakes with complex land line and enormous number of islands.

I usually carry a map and a compass with me as a back up device in case my
GPS dies on me but it would require a very good skill (which I do not
posess) to navigate by it alone in place I usually go kayaking - one tiny
mistake and you took a wrong path between islands and 20 kilometers later
you will end up in a dead end very far from your destination. The place is
a maze of water and land! Plus using map and a compass in strong winds on a
shifty kayak can be a challenge.
So hurray to GPS. I just need to get my friend to buy himself one and we
will have two of them on our trips - much safer