Compass in Motorhome

Casper46

Casper46

Joined
May 4, 2015
Posts
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Location
North Yorkshire
Funster No
36,190
MH
A Class
Exp
since 2000
Any suggestions please for a decent compass to carry in the motorhome. We don't use a sat nav and tend to use .. suns in windscreen, it's lunchtime so we are going south type of navigation. I'm not sure if one would work correctly when surround by metal.
 
Casper46 said:
Any suggestions please for a decent compass to carry in the motorhome. We don't use a sat nav and tend to use .. suns in windscreen, it's lunchtime so we are going south type of navigation. I'm not sure if one would work correctly when surround by metal.
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I love this thread 🤣...sorry but not able to help with an answer!
 
If you're heading for warmer climes, the Long Range Desert Group found the Bagnold Sun compass very useful, not affected by the vehicle's metalwork either, but not suitable for night driving ! 🤭
Screenshot_20220810-083701_Chrome.jpg
 
donkey said:
There are loads of free compass apps for phone or tablets.

Geoff
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Firstly you need a navigator who can use a smartphone, but I will put one on my phone thanks for the idea. I like jackanezeers Bagnolds one but it would add to the payload😀

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My Citroen Relay has a built in compass on the centre dash screen, just press the 'more' option to access it, can't say that I've ever used it though.

Pete

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Casper46 said:
Any suggestions please for a decent compass to carry in the motorhome. We don't use a sat nav and tend to use .. suns in windscreen, it's lunchtime so we are going south type of navigation. I'm not sure if one would work correctly when surround by metal.
Click to expand...
The metal part you may have to check some compass’s allow for adjustment for the Enviroment they are in. You may want to speak with a Marine compass supplier

www.marinecompasses.co.uk

Marine Compasses - Specialist Marine Compass Retailer

Welcome to Marine Compasses the only retailer based in the United Kingdom that specialise in the sale of marine compasses.
www.marinecompasses.co.uk www.marinecompasses.co.uk
 
jockaneezer said:
If you're heading for warmer climes, the Long Range Desert Group found the Bagnold Sun compass very useful, not affected by the vehicle's metalwork either, but not suitable for night driving !
Click to expand...


An excellent idea, thanks. Unfortunately, to use one of these you need to know what time it is. Could someone perhaps recommend a device, preferably portable, by which I can determine the current time?
 
EML said:
An excellent idea, thanks. Unfortunately, to use one of these you need to know what time it is. Could someone perhaps recommend a device, preferably portable, by which I can determine the current time?
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Times on your dash 😉
 
I’ve an expensive Silva compass, which can be calibrated with a special non magnetic screwdriver. In spite of spending hours trying to set it up in a Hymer A class based on a Transit 350, I’ve never managed to get it to work. You can see the immediate deviation as soon as the ignition is turned on, and again when the engine starts.
I’ve given up, if I’ve truly no idea which way is up when I arrive on site, I get out of the MH and use my phone.
 
Just drive slowly past the trees and you can then which side the moss is growing on.if you can see it whilst your driving ,your driving south. (y) :rofl:

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Last edited:
Sun rises in the East and sets in the west
So if the sun is on you right hand side in the morning you going north on left in afternoon going north on right in afternoon going south on left in morning going going south and in you eyes in the morn going east in you eyes in the evening going west
Bill
 
And at night thers always the north star Jupiter and the grate bare and many other star's to guode you and it's fun stoping sumwher to find them and work out what way rou are going
Bill
 
Sillious Sodus said:
Do you have a smartphone?
play.google.com

Compass App for Android - Apps on Google Play

Pro Compass is a good choice for you to find the exact direction in a moment!
play.google.com play.google.com
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Following S/S advice I downloaded the compass APP, opened it, but could not close it: no 'X' or back arrow. Eventually found that the back arrow is off the bottom of the screen so one has to scroll down to reach it.
 
Garmin Overlander can be used in vehicle and out and can be self calibrated .
 
mitzimad said:
wasnt there a hack using your watch? something to do with pointing the hand at the sun my boy scout days were a while ago
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Yes pointing the hour hand at the sun and then bisecting the angle between that and 12 0'clock on the watch to establish the direction of south.

Easier if watch is set to GMT but It also needs to take into account the sidereal time, i.e longitude difference from Greenwich meridian - 15 degrees equals 1 hour difference.
 
nicholsong said:
Yes pointing the hour hand at the sun and then bisecting the angle between that and 12 0'clock on the watch to establish the direction of south.

Easier if watch is set to GMT but It also needs to take into account the sidereal time, i.e longitude difference from Greenwich meridian - 15 degrees equals 1 hour difference.
Click to expand...
You lost me at the second paragraph, but thanks anyway.

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