Operation Guide 2891

Taking Direction Readings

Your watch uses a built-in magnetic sensor to detect and display direction. You can use displayed data to determine the direction to an objective or your current bearing.

•If you have reason to suspect that direction readings are not correct, you can calibrate the direction sensor using the procedure under “Calibrating the Direction Sensor”.

Digital Compass Precautions

Note the following points whenever taking a direction reading with the digital compass.

❚ When taking a reading
❚ Location

Orient the watch so it is level, either on your wrist of off your wrist.

The wrong type of location can cause large measurement error.

• Orienting the watch at an angle can cause large measurement

Avoid the following types of locations when taking a direction

error.

reading with the digital compass.

❚To take a direction reading

In the Timekeeping Mode, Pressure/Temperature Mode, orAltitude Mode, orient the watch so it is level (either on your wrist or off your wrist).

Pointing 12 o’clock in the direction you want to read, press the A button.

(When 12 o’clock is ) pointing northwest

Direction you want to read

West

North

Compass

Flashes during

 

Direction

direction reading

 

Indication

 

in Degrees

 

SouthEast

The direction indicated by the watch is accurate up to ±11 degrees.

Example: When 12 o’clock is pointing northwest Northwest (315o) = 304o to 326o

Interpreting the Degree Value

About two seconds after you press the A button , the watch enters the Compass Mode and displays the direction angle and graphic pointers.

Taking a direction reading with the digital compass causes readings to be taken each second for 20 seconds.

After the direction reading operation is complete, you can press the A button again to restart it.

•An alarm or other beeper operation or turning on illumination by pressing the L button while a direction reading operation is in progress will stop it momentarily. The direction reading operation will resume when the beeper or light operation is complete.

•Taking a direction reading in a location where terrestrial magnetism is weak can affect direction readings.

•The full auto light switch is disabled during the 20 seconds required to take a direction reading with the digital compass.

•After the direction reading operation is complete, press the D button to return to the Timekeeping Mode.

If you do not perform any button operation for two or three minutes while in the Compass Mode, the watch will return to the Timekeeping Mode automatically.

Near objects that generate strong magnetic force

• Move as far away from magnetic items as possible.

Permanent magnets

High-voltage power lines

(magnetic necklaces, etc.)

 

Metal

 

(steel columns, lockers, etc.)

 

Electric household appliances (TV, computer, speakers, etc.)

Inside a motor vehicle or indoors (ferro-concrete structures, in particular)

•Accurate direction readings are not possible under these conditions.

❚Storage location

Keep the watch away from magnets and any other sources of strong magnetism.

Calibrating the Direction Sensor

Perform one of the calibration operations described below whenever you think that the watch’s direction readings are not correct for some reason.

Automobiles

Boats, aircraft

Permanent magnets

(magnetic necklaces, bag clasps, etc.)

Electric household appliances (TV, speakers, etc.)

If the watch is exposed to magnetism
2-Point Calibration

Use 2-point calibration to calibrate the direction sensor to suit a particular magnetic environment.

Before using the watch inside of an automobile, for example, perform 2-point calibration to correct for the effects of magnetism that may be present in the vehicle.

Northerly Calibration

With northerly calibration, you “teach” the direction sensor the northerly direction (determined using another compass, etc.) Northerly calibration also can be used to calibrate the direction sensor to correct the declination angle and indicate true north, rather than magnetic north.

•If you want to perform both 2-point calibration and northerly calibration, perform 2-point calibration first and then northerly calibration. Performing 2-point calibration automatically cancels the last northerly calibration setting.

Trains

Indoors (steel is magnetic)

•Performing 2-point calibration makes it possible to obtain relatively accurate direction readings while in a motor vehicle or any other vehicle that can freely change direction. See “To perform 2-point calibration” and “Using the Compass in an Automobile” for more information.

Exposing the watch to magnetism can affect the accuracy of its digital compass readings. If this happens, perform 2-point calibration (“To perform 2-point calibration”) to correct the readings.

•If you are unsure if you watch has been exposed to magnetism, perform 2-point calibration before taking a direction reading.

•Exposing the watch to extremely strong magnetism can make correct direction readings impossible even after

2-point calibration, or can cause display of abnormal values during direction readings.

•The watch will exit the flashing digital compass screen automatically if you do not perform any operation for two or three minutes.

Tips for 2-Point Calibration

The more carefully you perform 2-point calibration, the more accurate subsequent direction readings will be. If the environment where you are using the watch changes, after you have not used the watch for some time, or any other time you feel that direction readings are not correct, perform 2-point calibration again.

•Perform 2-point calibration in the location and under the conditions where you will be using the watch to take direction readings. If you plan to take readings on an open field, perform calibration there, if you plan to take readings in a motor vehicle, perform calibration in the vehicle.

•You can use any two directions when performing 2-point calibration. Just make sure that the second point is exactly 180 degrees opposite from the first point.

•When performing 2-point calibration inside an automobile or boat, turn the automobile or boat around 180 degrees when changing direction.

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