| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
krispyduck
Occasional Visitor
Joined: Jul 07, 2005
Posts: 3
|
 Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 2:10 pm Post subject: True "Electronic Compass"? |
 |
|
Many TomTom ads now specify "electronic compass" amongst the GPS features. Does anyone know if that is a 'true' compass i.e. that will work when stationary (presumably by detecting magnetic field direction) or does it simply work by tracking a change in position?
My existing Go 300 often gets confused about orientation, especially in slow-moving traffic queues so I'm assuming that definitely doesn't have it.
Anyone know which models (if any) have a genuine compass feature? |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
mikealder
Pocket GPS Moderator
Joined: Jan 14, 2005
Posts: 19638
Location: Blackpool , Lancs
|
| Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 3:45 pm Post subject: |
|
|
The SatMap active 10 has a true compass within it, but this is not really suitable for in car use, it can be used this way but lacks any form of routing or navigation instructions. This product uses OS mapping and is really best suited to walking etc.
The normal car unit simply derive heading from the GPS data and as you have seen only work reliably at speed - Mike |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
krispyduck
Occasional Visitor
Joined: Jul 07, 2005
Posts: 3
|
| Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 5:01 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Thanks Mike, I suspected as much. I guess I was looking for the 'clincher' reason to upgrade to a 920 ;) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mikealder
Pocket GPS Moderator
Joined: Jan 14, 2005
Posts: 19638
Location: Blackpool , Lancs
|
| Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 5:13 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| With the 920 you get a Gyro type system which will help the position accuracy when the GPS position data is poor, typically tunnels etc, but no electronic compass AFAIK - Mike |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Andy_P
Pocket GPS Moderator
Joined: Jun 04, 2005
Posts: 19991
Location: West and Southwest London
|
| Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 7:18 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Has it got real gyros?
Real spinning things?
Does it make going round corners harder? 
(serious question, but couldn't stop myself turning it into a gag...) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mikealder
Pocket GPS Moderator
Joined: Jan 14, 2005
Posts: 19638
Location: Blackpool , Lancs
|
| Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 10:11 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Andy_P2002 wrote: | Has it got real gyros?
Real spinning things? |
I asked the same questions a while back but got no serious answers, the best one suggested the unit probably employs an accelerometer similar to the chipset found in the Nintendo WII hand controller - so no moving parts, no problems with corners  - Mike |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Skippy
Pocket GPS Verifier
Joined: 24/06/2003 00:22:12
Posts: 2946
Location: Escaped to the Antipodies! 36.83°S 174.75°E
|
| Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 10:20 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Andy_P2002 wrote: | | Has it got real gyros? Real spinning things? |
They are gyros but probably not the type of gyro you are thinking of...
They now have microelectromechanical Little tiny gyros made of silicon. There are also micro machined accelerometers available.
Accelerometers are used in cars to fire the airbags if a deceleration of 50 G is experienced. I think they are also used in the ESP stability controls on cars.
You can see a picture of how small these parts are here.
Not sure exactly which ones TomTom et al use but that's the technology from what I can tell.
Pretty cool stuff...
_________________
Gone fishing! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mrgrimsby
Regular Visitor
Joined: Mar 05, 2007
Posts: 147
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Andy_P
Pocket GPS Moderator
Joined: Jun 04, 2005
Posts: 19991
Location: West and Southwest London
|
| Posted: Sun Dec 02, 2007 12:59 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Skippy wrote: |
You can see a picture of how small these parts are here
|
Is that a picture of the inside of a TomTom, complete with all the "bugs"? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Skippy
Pocket GPS Verifier
Joined: 24/06/2003 00:22:12
Posts: 2946
Location: Escaped to the Antipodies! 36.83°S 174.75°E
|
| Posted: Sun Dec 02, 2007 3:25 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Andy_P2002 wrote: | | Skippy wrote: |
You can see a picture of how small these parts are here
|
Is that a picture of the inside of a TomTom, complete with all the "bugs"? |
No, the bugs in the TomTom units are bigger than that and there are more of them.
_________________
Gone fishing! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
![]() Posted: Today Post subject: Pocket GPS Advertising |
|
|
We see you’re using an ad-blocker. We’re fine with that and won’t stop you visiting the site.
Have you considered making a donation towards website running costs?. Or you could disable your ad-blocker for this site. We think you’ll find our adverts are not overbearing!
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
Forum FAQ
Search
Usergroups
Profile
Log in for private messages
Log in
