Compass direction
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Why is the compass pointer in the radar map always incorrect? If it's always broken as people say it is and I am told to ignore it, why do you have it?
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@JudasMe Hi there, which device do you use?
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@Suty android s22 ultra
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@Suty hey there :) I'm using a phone with built-in magnetic sensor aka "compass" (Redmi Note 9 Pro). Hence, I'm used to see such arrow spinning around my current position and always pointing to my direction of view, in any apps working with any maps. Principally, this works also perfect in your windy android app - but just with an also perfect 180° off-rotation (180° is half a circle). To describe it in 4 examples: if I look to east (90°), arrow goes to west (270°); I look to south (180°), arrow to north (360/0°); I look to west (270°), arrow to east (90°); I look to north (0/360°), arrow to south (180°). No matter which direction I'm looking to - for each and every 360°s we have on the rose, it's all the same 180° rotation of that annoying arrow. Can't be so hard to fix it (or for the ....s sake remove that d.... arrow) - this is known since 2019? Thanks, sincerely!
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@Ulrich-Weber As someone with a Samsung S21 FE, I observe the exact same issue with the direction being a perfect 180 degrees off compared to any other map apps I have on my phone.
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@JudasMe The compass pointer on a radar map can sometimes appear incorrect due to several factors, such as magnetic interference, calibration issues, or even software glitches. While it may not always be perfectly accurate, it provides a general orientation that can be helpful in understanding the map’s alignment with the actual direction.
Here’s why it’s still used:
Orientation Reference: It gives a rough idea of the map's orientation relative to true north, which can be useful for situational awareness.
Navigation Aid: Even if not perfectly accurate, it can help pilots or navigators make quick decisions based on general directional cues.
System Design: It’s part of the standard design for most radar systems, offering consistency in interface and functionality across different platforms.
Ignoring the compass pointer when it's unreliable but using it as a general guide when it's functional helps balance its practical utility and limitations.