Plastimo Contest Compass Adjustment

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KAM

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I just checked my compass and found deviation >20 degrees on E/W headings. Holding a hand bearing compass close to the base of the fixed contest compass indicates compensation magnets in the base. My previous contest had a small drawer in the base that could be pulled out with +/- adjusting screws on the top. This compass seems to have a similar drawer but it appears to be fixed in position and there is no tab to pull. The downloaded instructions are a bit vague. Can anyone shed any light on this problem. Has it been set wrongly by the factory.
 
When you remove the plastic trim around the front of the compass is there an empty drawer at the base? This takes the compensation unit. A new Contest is not supplied with the compensation unit.

Mike
 
I only had a look from the back. There seems to be something in there but it appeared to be fixed are you saying it only comes out from the front. That may explain the problem. Whatever is in there is magnetic. Thanks for the pointer.
 
Yes, the compensation unit comes out from the front of the compass. The side you use it from.

Mike
 
Tried to get the bezel off today. I pulled quite hard but can't remove it. Any idea where the clips are. Are there any tabs to press to release it. Absolutely nothing in the instructions or on the internet.
 
KAM said:
Tried to get the bezel off today. I pulled quite hard but can't remove it. Any idea where the clips are. Are there any tabs to press to release it. Absolutely nothing in the instructions or on the internet.
Click to expand...

On mine there is a small tab at the bottom of the front cover, facing vertically down. Pressing it in with a screwdriver or similar releases the cover. Compensating magnets are underneath.
 
Anyone know the procedure for adjusting the magnets? Pretty sure mine needs doing and there seems to be a lack of proper compass adjusters and I'm guessing that even if I did find one then they'd be expensive...
 
It's a long time since I did mine but it wasn't terribly difficult. Just a matter of changing something then seeing what effect it had. We used a hand held compass at the backstay as a reference and verified it with landmarks when possible.
 
Thanks Vyv, I do have a decent hand bearing compass so I might give it a try next time I'm out to see how I get on.

I did a compass check against a setting sun last year and there was a reasonable chunk of deviation on that particular heading.
 
You might find it's a lot better if you simply remove the corrector magnets and move any magnetic items from the vicinity of your compass - advice from Rod Stephens!

Neil S
 
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