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How do I calibrate my Core's Compass?

Updated over a week ago

The Orca Core contains a Motion Processor and a Magnetic Compass. Both sensors require calibration before they can be used.

Orca will automatically notify you if a calibration is needed when you connect to your Core.

If you have dismissed this notification or you want to recalibrate, open Main Menu > My Boat and press Calibrate Compass to begin calibration.

Calibration takes typically 3 minutes and requires:

  1. Calm waters

  2. Sufficient space to make a 360-degree turn at a slow turning rate

You must recalibrate your Core if you move it or if you install any electronic devices in the vicinity of the Core. You should also re-calibrate your Core at the beginning of every season.

The Core will not broadcast Heading, Attitude, and Rate of Turn data via NMEA 2000 until it has been calibrated.

How to adjust the offset?

After callibrating the compass, you might want to adjust the offset to adapt to the boat's heading.

To do so, open Main Menu > My Boat > Calibrate Compass and press Click on Adjust Offset.

It is recommended to use as a point of reference either:

  • Another existing compass; or

  • Point the boat at a fixed object and adjust the offset in that direction.

By pressing on the green and red arrows you can set the heading to match the existing compass or the known heading to the point of reference.

​Please ensure you are using the Core whilst adjusting the offset, and please ensure that 'Orca Core' is the chosen device under 'Heading'. The chosen device will be highlighted in blue when selected.

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