Installing my Garmin GPS/Fishfinder near the Compass Ball

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newtoboating28

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I am installing a new Garmin 520S GPS/Fishfinder on my 1985 Overnighter, and plan to place the GPS screen a couple of inches to the left of the electric compass ball that is currently mounted there. Can anyone tell me if this will cause any problems? Either for the GPS or Compass.

I just recently purchased the ICOM 304 VHF and in it's manual states you should have the radio mounted at least 3 feet from your compass. However the Garmin manual did not seem to make any reference to the GPS not being able to be mounted near anything. Does the compass only affect the VHF? Any advice would be appreciated.
 
What throws your compass off is any magnetic field that is placed too close to it. It will cause the compass to "deviate" from it's actual magnetic reading. The GPS should not affect it unless there is something magnetic, like a speaker, built into it. Your ICOM radio has a speaker built into it hence the three foot warning mentioned in the owner's manual. After all your electronics are in position switch your GPS to Magnetic (as opposed to True) and compare its heading to the heading you're reading on your compass. If they are the same, no problem. If it's more than a few degrees different have your compass adjusted for the deviation. The bottom line is not to put anything with a magnet in close proximity to your compass. Good luck with your installation!
 
You have an electric compass ? What model? Is there a remote sensor?
 
Hey guys thanks for your help. I guess I will just get in touch with Garmin and make sure that there GPS/Fishfinder does not have any Magnetic field in them. To be honest I don't know what kind of compass I have at the moment, (boat a couple hours away) all I know is it has a small black wire that runs from the bottom of it, that is connected to the electrical panel on the dash of the boat.
 
Is there a floating ball in the clear dome, or a digital readout?

We suspect it's the former.

Whatever and where ever you decide to mount, it may pay to pre power unit on an extension cord, then keeping it off the bridge, move it by hand while energized toward the bridge and on to it's proposed location while not taking your eyes of the compass, did the compass move or not?

Regular speakers tend too be difficult to locate not to interfere with the compass.

I recall dong this procedure some time ago, and theh compass actually spun entirely around. Thought I was in the bermuda triangle.
 
There is a floating ball, not a digital readout. I called Garmin and they told me the GPS unit should not affect it. They said place the unit next to the compass and see if the compass moves, than they say also place the unit next to the compass and power it on at same time to see what happens. If the compass does not move with the GPS being off, or powered on, than it should not be a problem at all.
 
unless you are going to do some serious offshore fishing the amount of deviation the units will give your compass is negligable. just remember if you are on the east coat go west if you are on the west coat go east!
 
compass

CaptKenny,
Great advice! One thing my Dad taught me as a kid was on the same premise. Head west and you will hit land-it may not be where you want to land but it's safer than being lost on open water.
Also, how many people actually know how to read a compass or for that matter even have paper charts w/ plotters & dividers on the boat?
We are all one blown fuse away from being S.O.L.
 
CaptKennyW said:
if you are on the west coat go east!
Click to expand...

Except for those of us on the west coast south of Point Conception are better off heading north to find land most of the time :D
 
I mounted a Garmin 178C (GPS/Sounder) about 3" to the right of my compass on my 180 and it makes no impact. I just finished installing an Icom VHF in the electronics box and, while less than 3' away from the compass, it has no impact. The real interference will come from the antenna, not the unit itself.

Remember, in a pinch you can shut off the electronics as well.
 
MOUNTING

Capeguy, I respectfully disagree. While electrical fields may effect the compass, it is the magnetic field created by the speaker and mic which effect it more than the antenna. Even if you turn your VHF off, the magnets are alway "on"
 
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