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Online Help > AlpineQuest 2.x

Orientation & Compass

The compass feature uses the magnetic sensor of your device (if available) to give you helpful orientation information.

This feature is composed of a sub-menu providing a fast access to few controls and settings, and a dedicated window with more details and information.

submenu.jpg

To turn on the compass feature, you can either:

  • Long-press the “Compass” menu button ;
  • Click on the sub-menu toggle .

The sub-menu

Click on the “Compass menu button to display the sub-menu, composed of the following items:

  • The “Compass details button opens the compass details window;
  • The “Compass toggle lets you turn on or off the compass feature easily;
  • The “Display compass check-box controls either or not to display a compass on the map;
  • The “Rotate the map check-box controls either or not to rotate the map based on the compass north to match the real direction you are looking at;
  • The “Current heading check-box controls either or not to display an information box on the map with your current heading.

You can un-check both “Display compass” and “Rotate the map” check-boxes to display a small current heading arrow .

on-map-items.jpg

The menu icon

The “Compass” menu button color lets you know the current state:

menu-off.jpg When the icon is white, the “Compass” is turned off. Long-press the button to turn it on.

menu-on.jpg When the icon is green, the “Compass” is turned on. Long-press the button to turn it off.

The details window

compass_view.jpg

Compass view

The “compass view is a graphical representation of the true (geographic) north direction, pointed by the red arrow.

It also gives you the following information:

  • The precise heading arrow , when this one is between -20° and +20°, including mils graduation;
  • The heading value , which is the angle between the geographic north and the current direction you are looking at (the direction of your device);
  • A pitch and roll level , helping you to keep the device flat;
  • The magnetic declination at your current location , which is the difference between the magnetic north and the geographic north. The application uses either the last known location of your device if any, or the screen center location. This value is computed each time you activate the compass.

Target and navigation

When a location is set as target, the compass view can be used as a navigation tool, and the following information is given:

  • The name of the target, if any;
  • The direction of the target, from your current location, pointed by a green arrow;
  • The absolute bearing of the target, which is the angle between the geographic north and the target, at your current location;
  • The distance of the target, from your current location.

All these figures are computed from the map center location. Be sure that it's correctly located on your current location, either by moving the map manually or by locking the GPS location on it.

When you move towards one direction, be sure to orientate your device correctly so that the lubber line matches your forward direction. In this case:

  • The azimuth value displayed under the lubber line is your heading ;
  • The relative bearing of the target is displayed, which is the angle between your heading and the bearing of the target, at your current location.

compass_target.jpg

Compass settings

Click on the compass “Settings button to open the settings dialog.

If desired:

  • Click on the “Sensor list to request orientation updates from another sensor, if your devices has various sensors. Depending on the device, each sensor can be more or less precise, responsible and noisy;
  • Un-check the “Moving rose and graduations check-box to display the compass with a fixed background rose and moving needle .

compass_settings.jpg