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IMPORTANT COMPASS INFORMATION
Why do I have to Calibrate the Compass?
The compass in your ESD-9870 must be calibrated before you use it to
give accurate directions. In order to determine the direction, the
compass detects the weak magnetic field of the Earth, but all vehicles also
produce many different magnetic fields that will confuse the compass.
These magnetic fields are produced by audio speakers and other electronics
within your vehicle. Calibration allows the compass electronics to measure and store
information about the magnetic fields from your vehicle so that it can then ignore them!
How do I Calibrate the Compass?
Before you calibrate the compass, please select the location where you plan
to mount your ESD-9870.
1. Enter the EasySet™ Programming Menu by pressing and holding the Prog/Mute button.
2. Press and release the Select/Dim button until you see Set Compass displayed.
3. Press and release the Set/City button and you will hear "Set Compass"(or 1 beep in Tone
Mode) and see Drive in 2 circles.
4. Drive your vehicle in two complete circles. A large parking lot is the most convenient
place to do this. It does not matter what direction your vehicle is pointing when you
start the circles, which direction you go to make the circles, and it does not have to be
exactly 2 circles. You do NOT have to make perfect circles. You can drive in any pattern,
as long as you make 2 complete turns. Four 3-point turns, 2 small squares, or any
2 complete loops will work as well as 2 circles. It does not matter what size the circles
are, if your speed is constant, or how fast you make the circles (but less than 2 minutes).
Please be careful when making the circles and watch for other traffic!
5. Press the Set/City button again and you will hear "Compass Set" (or 3 beeps in
Tone Mode) and see Compass Set! displayed.
In the event that the compass is not giving accurate directions after this calibration,
please try the calibration again, but in a different location. Magnetic fields at the
location you are doing the circles may cause problems with calibration.
Will I need to calibrate the compass every time I use my ESD-9870?
No. The compass electronics holds the information about the magnetic fields made by
your vehicle. However, for best results, you should mount the ESD-9870 in exactly the
same location every time you use it. When you remove the ESD-9870 from your windshield
it is best to leave the mounting bracket on your windshield so that when you replace the
ESD-9870 it is mounted, again, in exactly the same place. If you decide to re-locate your
ESD-9870 to a different place (either on the windshield or on the dash), it is best to
calibrate the compass again.
My Compass sometimes seems to give a wrong direction - what is wrong?
If your compass is unable to detect the magnetic field of the Earth (used to determine the
direction), it cannot give the correct reading. This may happen if you are under a bridge,
inside a parking garage, or inside any enclosure or building that is constructed with metal
framework. Other vehicles with a lot of metal may also confuse your compass so that it
cannot give accurate readings. This may happen if you are next to a large tractor trailer,
truck, or train. Your compass will work again correctly as soon as you get away from these
locations. There is no need to calibrate your compass again after this.
Part No.: 480-073-P
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