Module No. 3553

Taking a Compass Reading

  1. Enter the Compass Mode.

    2. Navigating Between Modes

    Entering the Compass Mode starts compass readings.

  2. Keeping the watch horizontal, point 12 o’clock in the direction of your desired objective.

    3. The digital display shows one of 16 literal direction indications and the bearing angle.

    To retrigger the compass operation, press (C).

Interpreting Bearing Readings

Directions: N (North), E (East), W (West), S (South)

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The graphic direction pointer indicates north, south, east, and west. The graphic direction pointer indicating north consists of three lines.

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Note

Normally the compass indicates magnetic north. You can also configure settings to indicate true north.

Setting Up for True North Readings (Magnetic Declination Calibration)
Magnetic North and True North

After the initial reading is displayed, the watch will continue to take readings approximately every second for approximately the next 60 seconds. After measurement is complete, the graphic direction pointer disappears from the display, and [- - -] is shown for the bearing to your objective and its bearing angle.

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If four directions (north, south, east, west) and your target bearing are not displayed on the screen when you press (C), the bearing recorded in the bearing memory may be displayed instead of four directions.
Press (E) to clear the recording bearing.

Saving a Bearing to an Objective (Bearing Memory)

Auto Light will not illuminate the face while a compass operation is in progress.

If an alarm or other beeper sounds, or if you turn on illumination by pressing (L) while a compass operation is in progress, the compass operation will be suspended momentarily. The compass operation will resume when the beeper stops or illumination turns off.

If you do not perform any operation for about two or three minutes while in the Compass Mode, the watch automatically returns to the Timekeeping Mode.

Aligning a Map with Actual Surroundings (Setting a Map)

Setting a map means to align the map so the directions indicated on it are aligned with the actual directions of your location. Once you set a map, you can more easily get a grasp of the relationship between map markings and actual geographic contours. To set a map with this watch, align north on the map with the north indication of the watch. Once you set the map, you can compare your bearing on the map with your surroundings, which will help you determine your current location and destination.

Note that map reading skills and experience are required to determine your current location and destination on a map.

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