Help Compass not working?

[Durandal]

In addition to the accuracy problem, the compass on my Epic seems to be really out of whack. It doesn't maintain a consistent reading (it jitters quite a bit) and has a difficult time finding North. I've seen this behavior exhibit itself in the GPS Test application and Google Maps.

Am I the only one seeing this problem?

Edit:

I loaded GPS Test on my girlfriends HTC Eris and her compass is accurate and a lot less jittery

 

[Android XTC]

In addition to the accuracy problem, the compass on my Epic seems to be really out of whack. It doesn't maintain a consistent reading (it jitters quite a bit) and has a difficult time finding North. I've seen this behavior exhibit itself in the GPS Test application and Google Maps.

Am I the only one seeing this problem?

Where do I find the compass or did you download a compass app.?

 

[daddyd302]

The one off the market doesn't seem to work for my epic.....

 

[Durandal]

Look for "GPS Test" by Chartcross in the Android Market. It's free and has a compass sub-application in it.

 

[Torq]

I don't know if the Epic has an actual compass (magnetometer) built in, but if it doesn't then GPS-based compasses are generally only usefully accurate when in motion. Typically 3-5mph is enough to make it work.

 

[ggoldfingerd]

My compass is somewhat wacky but it works.

You can either download GPS Status or go into street view in maps, then click menu and select compass.

 

[Durandal]

I don't know if the Epic has an actual compass (magnetometer) built in, but if it doesn't then GPS-based compasses are generally only usefully accurate when in motion. Typically 3-5mph is enough to make it work.

Torq, thanks for your response.

According to this article in Wikipedia, it does have a magnetometer. (Look under "GPS and Compass errors".) The "Input" section in the sidebar also lists a "digital compass".

After doing some more experimentation, it seems that the compass is more stable if I have a higher quantity of high-SNR sats visible.

I'd read somewhere that the SGS phones (including the Epic) jump to / from different satellites more than necessary. Maybe this issue is a symptom of that? I'd provide a link, but I've been reading so many threads and articles that I've lost track!

 

[ShiftNo]

I have an Epic, and am having some real compass issues. Have you ever gotten anywhere with this issue?