Garmin Plotter-safe compass distance?

[C08]

Just bought a Garmin 750 but a bit disappointed to see that the recommended safe distance from the steeing compass is 32". This will give me great difficulty in siting both the plotter and compass at the helm. I have used a small Garmin 12 for about 12 years without ever noticing anything odd about the positions shown on the GPS or compass deflection caused by the electronics at about 12" distance.
What sort of distance do peeps have between their plotters and compass and is it the electronics affecting the compass that is the problem or the other way around?

 

[David2452]

Just bought a Garmin 750 but a bit disappointed to see that the recommended safe distance from the steeing compass is 32". This will give me great difficulty in siting both the plotter and compass at the helm. I have used a small Garmin 12 for about 12 years without ever noticing anything odd about the positions shown on the GPS or compass deflection caused by the electronics at about 12" distance.
What sort of distance do peeps have between their plotters and compass and is it the electronics affecting the compass that is the problem or the other way around?

Personally I would follow the manufacturer's instruction, in fact I must, but you could try temporarily cabling it and sparking it up, then move it to the area you would like and see what effect it has on the steering compass on a few headings before committing to a final install.

 

[Plevier]

I ended up fitting my 750 at the chart table, but while still thinking about putting it at the helm, I waved it around about 6" above the Contest binnacle compass with no effect on it.

 

[jwilson]

I ended up fitting my 750 at the chart table, but while still thinking about putting it at the helm, I waved it around about 6" above the Contest binnacle compass with no effect on it.

This setup had no effect on the compass - http://www.yachtsnet.co.uk/boats/charter/ped.jpg - older model Garmin.

 

[Vara]

I can't imagine that the Garmin is substantially different from any other plotter, but my set up with a distance of about 150mm from plotter to compass has no detectable effect.

 

[superheat6k]

Just bought a Garmin 750 but a bit disappointed to see that the recommended safe distance from the steeing compass is 32". This will give me great difficulty in siting both the plotter and compass at the helm. I have used a small Garmin 12 for about 12 years without ever noticing anything odd about the positions shown on the GPS or compass deflection caused by the electronics at about 12" distance.
What sort of distance do peeps have between their plotters and compass and is it the electronics affecting the compass that is the problem or the other way around?

Mine is about 15" from my fly helm steering compass, and it's still spot on (the compass) on all headings.

 

[skip50]

I ended up fitting my 750 at the chart table, but while still thinking about putting it at the helm, I waved it around about 6" above the Contest binnacle compass with no effect on it.

I agree with Troubadour that above the compass there was no effect. However, place the 750 level with the compass and it has a very significant effect, cannot remember the exact deviation but it was too much. For a variety of reasons I mounted mine under the spray hood.