Do you have to calibrate the compass often on the Oregon 450t?

[+G.O. John and Carol]

Please answer "yes", because it'll be less tempting.

[Dr Jeckyl and Mr Hide]

Please answer "yes", because it'll be less tempting.

 

Only when you change the batteries.

[+ecanderson]

Please answer "yes", because it'll be less tempting.

Above^???

 

Yes, if you don't change batteries often.

 

The compass component in all of the Garmin handheld series that uses one requires recalibration with changes in the battery voltage. Start out with a fresh set, and as the voltage begins to drop through the day, you either have to calibrate or swap out for new ones before you notice the change. To the poster above - yes, if you allow your batteries to drop, calibrate, and then put in new ones, you've just raised the voltage, so you wind up calibrating again.

 

I avoid this by changing out as soon as I hit the first bar down. By then, I'm beginning to notice a change, but it's still tolerable. Having a few spares is just easier than going through the process.

 

However, if you're using your electronic compass on an existing Garmin unit other than a recent (450 or 550) Oregon or Dakota 20, you're really going to appreciate the 3-axis compass.

[+ecanderson]

Please answer "yes", because it'll be less tempting.

 

Only when you change the batteries.

If you start with fresh batteries and use them until the voltage begins to drop, you'll see the problem long before you get a fresh pair loaded. The stupid compass chips are all voltage sensitive. Why Garmin couldn't provide a regulated voltage to the component to avoid this has always been a bit of a mystery to me.

[+Chrysalides]

Why Garmin couldn't provide a regulated voltage to the component to avoid this has always been a bit of a mystery to me.

You have to leave something out, so that the next model can be better than the current one.