Module No. 3553

Setting Up for True North Readings (Magnetic Declination Calibration)

If you want the watch to indicate true north instead of magnetic north, you need to specify your current location’s magnetic declination direction (east or west) and declination angle.

Magnetic North and True North

The magnetic declination angle value can be set in 1° (degree) units only. Use a value that is closest to the angle you want to set.
Example: For an angle of 7.4°, set 7°.
Example: For an angle of 7°40’ (7 degrees, 40 minutes), set 8°.

Note

Magnetic declination angles (east or west) and angle degree values for specific locations can be found on geographic maps, mountain climbing maps, and other maps that include contour lines.

  1. Enter the Compass Mode.

    2. Navigating Between Modes

  2. Hold down (E) for at least two seconds until the three-line graphic direction pointer flashes at 12 o’clock. Release the button when [CALIBRATION] [-1-] appears on the display.

    3. 3553_CAL_COMP_comon

  3. Press (D).

    4. This displays [DEC] [0°].

    3553_41_COMP

  4. Use (A) (East) and (C) (West) to change the magnetic declination direction and angle.

    5. Holding down (A) or (C) scrolls through settings at high speed.

    Setting range: 90° west to 90° east

    [OFF]: Magnetic north

    [E]: East declination (Magnetic north is east of true north.)

    [W]: West declination (Magnetic north is west of true north.)

    To return the setting to [OFF], press (A) and (C) at the same time.

    3553_42_COMP

  5. Press (E) to complete the setting operation.

Magnetic North and True North

There are actually two types of north: magnetic north and true north.

Magnetic north: North indicated by the needle of a compass

True north: Direction to the North Pole

As shown in the illustration below, magnetic north and true north are not the same.

MagneticNorth_TrueNorth_BK

Note

The north indicated on commercially available maps is normally true north.

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