Garmin Chartplotter close to compass ?

[toby too]

I just bought a Pearson 31-2 1987. I am looking to get a Garmin
Garmin GPSMAP 541 chartplotter and wanted to mount it on the pedestal guard with a Ram Mount. This would put it about 8" from the compass. The Garmin info says it should be 30" from the compass. Does anyone know how critical this is or what the effect maybe ? Also what do you think about the GPSMAP 541 ?
Thanks Joe

 

[Bill Roosa]

only one way to tell

run a temporary power cable from a convenient source in the pedestal and fire the puppy up. put it as close to and in a similar orientation to where you intend to mount it. Watch the compass for any movement. If there is none the it MIGHT work. You would have to take her out and confirm that other headings also don't show a change when you power up the unit.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

I put a 541 directly above the compass (as few inches) and observed no effect but every boat/situation is different . As Bill suggests, try it before reaching for the drill

 

[sailaway78]

I have the same setup

I have a Garmin 498, mounted on the pedestal guard. About 8 or so inches from the compass. I can tell no difference at all, with the plotter not there, not turned on, or fired up. I think some of these warnings are CYA situation. Not too long ago I discovered that I had thrown my tool bag under the nav station in a hurry for something. It was less than a foot from the auto pilot compass. Never noticed any difference. With everything running, all three compasses were reading within two or three degrees of each other.

 

[zeehag]

the gps and compass are close together on my formosa as well--the po sailed down from sf like that--he didnt get lost--nne and i didnt get lost--i think it works ok..LOL...i , also , believe is a cya thing....

 

[RichH]

If you need to mount just about ANY Garmin chartplotter ***with BLUE CHARTs*** near a compass ......... REMOVE the damn MAGNET that is used to keep the BLUE CHART ****CHIP DOOR**** CLOSED. Then either tape or GLUE the damn door shut.

What idiots!!! putting a magnetic chip door closure in a device that is used in close proximity to a magnetic compass !!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Maine Sail]

If you need to mount just about ANY Garmin chartplotter ***with BLUE CHARTs*** near a compass ......... REMOVE the damn MAGNET that is used to keep the BLUE CHART ****CHIP DOOR**** CLOSED. Then either tape or GLUE the damn door shut.

What idiots!!! putting a magnetic chip door closure in a device that is used in close proximity to a magnetic compass !!!!!!!!!!!!!

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!! About as dumb a design as I have ever seen for the "marine" market. I guess that's what you get when you stick a few overflow designers from the automotive market on the marine team.

Only the newer plotters have the STUPID magnetic door and the older series all snapped shut with NO magnet. If you can find one of the older units with no magnetic door buy it...

I love Garmin but I think I have purchased my last one unless they hire some designers who have even a semblance of some common sense. Magnets and compasses DO NOT MIX WELL. BAD IDEA GARMIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rant over...

 

[Banooma]

chartplotter/compass proximity

I asked the same question last year. I mounted the chartplotter about a foot from the compass with no problems. Here's what the gang said

http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=618416&highlight=close to compass

 

[toby too]

THanks for all the help. I'll move the chartplotter around and see what works best.

 

[redhead78]

I have a garmin 478 on pedastal mt, approx 8 " over the compass,no noticable difference.My autohelm 4000 about 5' away is another story, its 30deg diff from the other 2...Red

 

[Hermit Scott]

Just get a 30" long pole to mount the gps on! Maybe that is garmin thought it would be best to mount it. You could have it 30" above the binnacle, which would keep it well out of your line of site while sailing.