+saidbystacy Posted April 15, 2014 Share Posted April 15, 2014 I just bought a Garmin etrex 20 and I've been able to to everything to get it setup (install topo maps, transfer a pocket query) except calibrate the compass. I follow the quick start instructions which tell you to go to Compass>menu button and then to select calibrate compass. When I follow those instructions, the option to calibrate my compass isn't there. The compass doesn't even appear to be working - there is no arrow and it does not move around as I change directions. I'm getting plenty of satellites with good reception. Anyone have any ideas? Quote Link to comment
insig Posted April 15, 2014 Share Posted April 15, 2014 If you look at the eTrex 20 owners manual, it states on page 17 that the eTrex 30 has an electronic compass. The eTrex 20 needs to be moving in order to calculate a vector between your last location and your current location thus giving you a direction of motion. Go outside and get a satellite signal. Walk a few steps in one direction and note which direction on the compass is towards the top of the screen. Then turn around and walk back to your starting location. It should read 10degrees difference if you look at the direction displayed towards the top of the compass ring. Start navigating to a point on the map -- preferably north of your current location. Repeat the same thing. The arrow should always towards the destination (north in this case) while you are moving. Because of the lack of a magnetic compass in the eTrex 20, when you stop moving, it won't know which direction you are facing. Quote Link to comment
+ngrrfan Posted April 15, 2014 Share Posted April 15, 2014 I just bought a Garmin etrex 20 and I've been able to to everything to get it setup (install topo maps, transfer a pocket query) except calibrate the compass. Anyone have any ideas? Yeah, I have an idea.... actually fact... The E20 doesn't have an electronic compass so it can't be calibrated. The manual is written for both the 20 and the 30. Quote Link to comment
+Gitchee-Gummee Posted April 15, 2014 Share Posted April 15, 2014 Yes, the manual is for the '10, '20 and '30. It does say that you need to calibrate the electronic compass on the '30. It does not say anything about calibrating the compass for the other two. Simply put, there is no calibration method to them. Quote Link to comment
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