compass app.

[mrwatch]

I put two different cell phone compass apps on my L G phone. both show north as slightly north west. do you hold the phone straight up or flat? I tried rotating it in both vertical and horizontal circle to see if it will auto adjust to north to no avail. I do not normally carry a compass and I am good when the sun shines but in the snow, or night time "look out!" probably a YouTube for that but frankly they eat my data plan.
Thanks,, Bob

[fergusontd]

mrwatch, Most compass apps do point that way, any magentic influnce will cause it to be slightly off. True north I believe is a little off from magentic north. I'm not an expert just my 2 cents. ftd

[philco]

The difference between true north and the magnetic north your compass detects is called "Magnetic Declination" and it varies from one location to another. Below is a link to some further information about it.

http://www.magnetic-declination.com/wha ... nation.php

[RobesonsRme.com]

Most compass apps require a ferrous free close environment. For instance, they will most likely not work inside an automobile.

Also, the one on my BlackBerry requires me to orient it by twirling it in a figure 8 fashion for several moments prior to attempting to read it.

Charlie Noyes