what happened to my Compass?

[Mannlicher]

For years, I have been carrying a little Coleman compass. It has a flat plastic base with grid numbers along the side, and the compass part rotates to line up North with the arrow on the base.
I was still hunting the shore of Lochloosa Lake in North Central Florida today. I checked the compass when I set out.
After two hours of heading North N/E along the lake, I broke for lunch, and then turned around.
Now here is the weird part. The dang compass was indicating North, when I was now heading South. The thing as done a complete 180, so to speak, reversed polarity.

I always carry at least two compasses, and pulled out the spare. It was reading exactly the opposite of what my old Coleman was. I knew where I was, and know the area like the back of my hand. There was zero possibility of my becoming disorientated. Still, I was glad to have a functioning back up.

Now what could have caused the compass to do that?

 

[Mannlicher]

I think I have it figured out. I was carrying my iPhone in the same pocket as the compass. The electromagnetic field from the gadget probably caused the problem.

 

[x39]

I think I have it figured out. I was carrying my iPhone in the same pocket as the compass. The electromagnetic field from the gadget probably caused the problem.

I'm guessing you're right. Years ago I had a watch with a button compass on the band. One day I was wearing the watch when I had some welding to do and when I was done the compass was completely screwed up.

 

[tholiver]

I had a small compass that did the same thing.
I wonder is it possible to get it back to normal or is it permanent?

 

[MikeH]

I was sitting under an open tent at a Boy Scout Leadership Camp in New Jersey years ago. We were starting a class on map and compass use, and the instructor had about two dozen Silva compasses neatly arranged on a table. A bolt of lightning hit behind us, knocking the guy sitting to my right off his chair. When the excitement subsided, the instructor looked at his compasses, and every one of them had reversed polarity and were pointing south.

 

[Shoki]

It's not that uncommon of a problem. I try to keep my compasses well away from metallic or electronic objects. Ya know, a lot of companies will correct reverse polarity for free. I know Suunto and Silva do, maybe Coleman will help you out?

 

[glee]

I have a very strong magnetic catch on my cell phone case and I was able to correct a compass polarity reversal on a small Silva by running the magnet across the compass. I forget the details of how I did it but I was able to change the polarity at will. I believe I had to flip the magnet over to change the polarity.
The magnet I used was very strong. It activates a magnetic switched flashlight in the pocket close to it sometimes.

 

[TNRat]

I have a very strong magnetic catch on my cell phone case and I was able to correct a compass polarity reversal on a small Silva by running the magnet across the compass. I forget the details of how I did it but I was able to change the polarity at will. I believe I had to flip the magnet over to change the polarity.
The magnet I used was very strong. It activates a magnetic switched flashlight in the pocket close to it sometimes.

This was my question. If it can change polarity once why can't it change it back? I have never heard of this happening before.