Fine Calibration of Compass using Radar

[mikecambrai]

Most ports have at least one transit on the way out to sea. It is good practice to always take the bearing of the ship on the transit and compare it with all your compasses - magnetic, gyroscope, fluxgate, radar, etc. Transit is a true reading of objects fixed to the earth and will be the absolute correct true reading reference for all gadgets.
If you have the time and space in the location of the transit you can swing the ship and get the compass error on all headings and draw an error chart for future use. Even this should be checked every time you come across a transit.

[Favorite Things]

You can not use a GPS compass if you are not moving and requires an intact electrical system.Internet location on your phone either from WiFi or satellite would be accurate.


Range finder is an excellent way to align your compass. These are very accurate because they allow you to come in without a radar if necessary in poor but not pitched black visibility which is most nights with a bright bow light.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by Favorite Things

You can not use a GPS compass if you are not moving . . .

Not true. Satellite compass works whether you are moving or not.