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GPS City Canada Q&A » Outdoor GPS » Why would vibration affect the compass?

Outdoor GPS (17 replies)

Item

Original Question

Why would vibration affect the compass?

› Garmin Montana 600

Author

Reply

glen
corner brook nl.ca

Original question asked on Mar 11, 2012, 2:30pm

montana 600 on ram cycle mount .with snowmobile in idle compass reading all over the map!

Hartman
Winnipeg, MB

Reply #1 on Mar 12, 2012, 3:49pm

I have the same problem on my snowmobile. When I stop to review the map display to figure out where I am or want to go, the map is rotating all over the place. This is a real pain trying to orient when the map is wiggling around like that!! Why can't the map display stay stationary and oriented the way it was prior to stopping?

Jordan
GPS City

Reply #2 on Mar 13, 2012, 8:20am

I apologize but the Montana does have a 3 -axis compass in it. You will want to calibrate your compass to see if that helps.

Hartman
Winnipeg, MB

Reply #3 on Mar 26, 2012, 6:27pm

The erratic movement of the map and/or compass when stopped is not related to compass calibration. Garmin needs to do something about this because the problem is really annoying when you want to review the map when stopped and it rotating around all over the place.

Jordan
GPS City

Reply #4 on Mar 27, 2012, 6:53am

That is unknown. Calibrating the compass may help. Please call Garmin at 1-800-800-1020 for assistance. They may be familiar with the issue you are having.

Hartman
Winnipeg, MB

Reply #5 on Mar 29, 2012, 12:24pm

As I said, it is not compass calibration that is the problem with erratic map rotation behavior while stopped on an ATV or snowmobile. I have calibrated it many times. This is a known (not unknown) problem with ATV/snowmobile users. Have you tried it yourself?

Jordan
GPS City

Reply #6 on Mar 29, 2012, 1:15pm

I have tried it many times for I do most of the GPS videos on our site. It sounds like you have a problem with your unit or install. It will best you contact Garmin for Technical support 1-800-800-1020. If they deem the unit defective and you purchased it from us please give us a call after.

Hartman
Winnipeg, MB

Reply #7 on Mar 29, 2012, 8:33pm

Just to clarify your comment, have you actually tried the Montana yourself hard mounted on an ATV or snowmobile that is running (not held in your hand or on a table for a video? Mine works OK on a table or held in the hand as well. It is the vibration that causes the problem and does the same two of my friends Montana's. All three of ours are not defective. I already have been discussing this problem with Garmin.

Jordan
GPS City

Reply #8 on Mar 30, 2012, 6:28am

I have used it in many other applications like on a boat and a mountain bike. I have not had any issues.

Please stay in contact with Garmin to help solve this problem

Rob
Edmonton

Reply #9 on May 24, 2012, 8:23pm

I'm going to agree with Hartman on this. My Montana 600 is mounted in my Rzr UTV. Whenever I stop moving and just idling, my 'track up' map starts rotating wildly. Very annoying. The small amount of vibration makes the GPS think that it's traveling in a bunch of different directions. Something needs to be done (software/firmware) to desensitize the GPS so it must move more (say 6") before it establishes a different bearing/track.

Jordan
GPS City

Reply #10 on May 25, 2012, 9:38am

Where is the GPS mounted? Ferromagnetic metals will cause issues with the compass. How are you powering the unit? (batteries or plugged in) If you are noticing these types of problems and it is not due to the UTV or snowmobile then please contact Garmin direct at 1-800-800-1020 to explain what you have seen.

Rob
Edmonton

Reply #11 on May 25, 2012, 6:44pm

Jordan, it's definitely the vibration that's affecting the Montana. It's mounted on my dash with a Ram mount and powered AMP rugged mount. When I'm idling (and not moving) the map & compass are constantly swinging around about 90 degrees. I can un-clamp the Ram and hold the AMP-powered mount and GPS in exactly the same location (everything exactly the same except held by hand now so no vibrations) and the map & compass steady right out (no swinging). This simple test rules out electro-magnetic effects from the engine or power supply. I have submitted this same complaint to Garmin and am awaiting their reply. Hopefully a software update can remedy this very annoying problem.

Jordan
GPS City

Reply #12 on May 28, 2012, 7:26am

It is best to deal direct with Garmin on an issue like this. Could the interference be your handle bar? You mentioned you took it off the mount and are holding it now. Does it still wander if you turn the machine off and leave it on the handle bar?

Rob
Edmonton

Reply #13 on May 30, 2012, 4:35pm

Apparently vibrations are a known problem in certain mount/vehicle combinations. Here is Garmin's reply:

"If the unit is behaving when in-hand, and having issues in the mount, it is likely that the vibrations are tripping the accelerometers in the unit. Since the device is equipped with accelerometers to detect when the device changes position, this type of problem can arise in high vibration environments - not all mounts produce this issue, but it seems that ATV and off-road vehicle mounts tend to have the hardest time with vibration - unfortunately there is not a fix for it as of yet. Our engineers are aware of it but at this time we do not have an ETA on when this will be resolved. I apologize for the inconvenience."

Hope this information was helpful.

Jordan
GPS City

Reply #14 on May 31, 2012, 11:06am

Thank you for passing that along

Ronmat
Montgomery Al.

Reply #15 on Oct 11, 2012, 11:11pm

Just checking in on this Subject, is there a fix for this issue
yet from Garmin. Considering the Montana if this is resolved.
Thanks
Ronmat

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