Compass Safe Distance for an iPad

dolabriform

dolabriform

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Hi all

I'm about to install a Rokk mini mount to hold an iPad with Navionics, and it suddenly occurred to me that maybe my choice of position might cause an issue with the compass.

Does anyone know if there is a minimum safe distance? It's an iPad 2 with Cellular. Compass is a Plastimo Contest 101.

Thanks

David
 
My Ipad starts to cause significant deviation at about 18 inches - varies a bit depending on heading and Ipad orientation. Absolute "compass safe" distance probably about a metre.
 
Which do you use more for navigation these days? For us, the plotter, iPad for close in with Antares Charts (Scottish west coast micro charts that are the bees knees) and the compass....I can’t remember when I last uses it other than propping the iPad up.
 
ctva said:
Which do you use more for navigation these days? For us, the plotter, iPad for close in with Antares Charts (Scottish west coast micro charts that are the bees knees) and the compass....I can’t remember when I last uses it other than propping the iPad up.
Click to expand...

I enjoy using the compass, and I don't want to put the iPad in a place that will cause a problem. When we do our summer cruise this year I'm planning to do it all with charts and compass, partly as a teaching aid for the kids, ( and it keeps them occupied ! )

I really want them to get away from looking at screens!
 
Probably depends on what the IPAD is doing? WIFI on board? broadband dongle?

Phones are in may experience more of a hazard, particularly with auto pilots. Our compass for the boat electronics is on a bulkhead at the back of the aft heads, well away from human contact most of the time. However people playing around with phones in the cockpit can cause problems.
I think it is good practice to keep portable electronics away from compasses??
 
ctva said:
Which do you use more for navigation these days? For us, the plotter, iPad for close in with Antares Charts (Scottish west coast micro charts that are the bees knees) and the compass....I can’t remember when I last uses it other than propping the iPad up.
Click to expand...

This question has been dealt with many times, but dolabriform I know will admit to being relatively inexperienced, and will want to keep things simple. Steering by the compass is a basic skill which is necessary to fall back on when other means are not available. I have a plotter and cockpit readout, and although I have various other means of reference, such as wind meter, rolling road or whatever, I still refer to my compass regularly when on passage, less so when messing about in familiar waters.
 
pagoda said:
Probably depends on what the IPAD is doing? WIFI on board? broadband dongle?

Phones are in may experience more of a hazard, particularly with auto pilots. Our compass for the boat electronics is on a bulkhead at the back of the aft heads, well away from human contact most of the time. However people playing around with phones in the cockpit can cause problems.
I think it is good practice to keep portable electronics away from compasses??
Click to expand...

The iPad will provide Navionics when needed, so the plan is to install a mount in the cockpit.
 
pagoda said:
Well I suspect all you need to do is disable WIFI while it is in the cockpit??
Click to expand...
I really don't think what the Ipad is doing will make much difference. Any signals it is sending or receiving will be very/ultra high frequency AC that probably won't affect the compass. I think it's as simple as having magnetic components in it - almost certainly the loudspeaker for one.
 
jwilson said:
I really don't think what the Ipad is doing will make much difference. Any signals it is sending or receiving will be very/ultra high frequency AC that probably won't affect the compass. I think it's as simple as having magnetic components in it - almost certainly the loudspeaker for one.
Click to expand...

Ahhh, thanks. That makes a lot of sense. Plus maybe a small magnetic field from the charging cable
 
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