Cammenga Compass Affected By Temp Change

A

Aviv

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Oct 10, 2024
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I was checking out the accuracy of my Cammenga against a few known landmarks. The first round of measurements just after taking it out of my bag, all proved exactly accurate based of map, but a minute later under a cloudy but warm sky, a second round of readings for those same landmarks yielded a 5 degree lower reading for all.

Question - Is just a short exposure to a slight change of temperature enough to cause such error? I know the different parts need time to “even out” in expansion, but when hiking through both shades and clear sky surely one would experience some amount of temp variation, no? Should i still have confidence in entrusting my navigation to the Cammenga?

Anyone else observed this?

Remark - When taking readings under same temp condition, the compass proves to be consistently accurate.

Thank you.
 
Well I guess that shows how good a non liquid filled compass is. You'll probably be going in nearly the right direction.
 
Aviv said:
I was checking out the accuracy of my Cammenga against a few known landmarks. The first round of measurements just after taking it out of my bag, all proved exactly accurate based of map, but a minute later under a cloudy but warm sky, a second round of readings for those same landmarks yielded a 5 degree lower reading for all.

Question - Is just a short exposure to a slight change of temperature enough to cause such error? I know the different parts need time to “even out” in expansion, but when hiking through both shades and clear sky surely one would experience some amount of temp variation, no? Should i still have confidence in entrusting my navigation to the Cammenga?

Anyone else observed this?

Remark - When taking readings under same temp condition, the compass proves to be consistently accurate.

Thank you.
Click to expand...

you shouldnt have major changes based on small temp changes in that time frame.

something else is most likely affecting it - always possible its somehow defective, but don't think its likely.

holding level
no major power lines nearby, no magnetic sources too close (metal buttons, watch, maybe cell phone)

we are on the lookout for aurora's in my part of the world for the next night or two, maybe somethign there?
 
Aviv said:
Question - Is just a short exposure to a slight change of temperature enough to cause such error? I know the different parts need time to “even out” in expansion, but when hiking through both shades and clear sky surely one would experience some amount of temp variation, no? Should i still have confidence in entrusting my navigation to the Cammenga?
Click to expand...
no, temperature and thermal expansion has nothing to do with this- 5-10 degrees (F) in temperature causes almost immeasurable expansion, anyway.

I would guess common issues, such as having ferrous objects near by, or not having the compass perfectly level, are more likely culprits.
 
Thanks folks, but i am pretty sure i held the compass the same at level, and it was same way of measuring, just repeated through those 4 reference points, all done from same spot. This was repeated again a few days later under about the same sky condition. Both were warm days, maybe about 33 degrees celsius. From my bag in the aircon car, about 25 degrees. Rather unexpected, could only think expansion could be the cause. Seem to remember reading there were case studies made about such temp changes influencing compass accuracy.
 
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