AWU Compass affected by various bands

[SoGood]

Just noticed that both the AWU and AW8 compass readings are affected by the various metal and magnetic bands I have in collection, often by a large >90 degrees margin. Given AWU is designed for use outdoors and for navigation, this level of sensitivity is worrying. Not sure I can depend on it when out there.

Further, the altered reading does not quickly correct when those offending bands are removed and replaced with the various fabric/elastomer bands. Figure of 8 calibration and restarting the Compass app don’t seem to quickly resolve the problem.

Anyone noticed similar and have more info? Thanks!

 

[Nismo73]

Just noticed that both the AWU and AW8 compass readings are affected by the various metal and magnetic bands I have in collection, often by a large >90 degrees margin. Given AWU is designed for use outdoors and for navigation, this level of sensitivity is worrying. Not sure I can depend on it when out there.

Further, the altered reading does not quickly correct when those offending bands are removed and replaced with the various fabric/elastomer bands. Figure of 8 calibration and restarting the Compass app don’t seem to quickly resolve the problem.

Anyone noticed similar and have more info? Thanks!

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/ultra-compass-big-fail-not-working-as-expected-im-totally-disappointed.2362056/

 

[Vangeli]

Yeah, this has been known since the first Watch with a compass released; Apple even permanently discounted all magnetic bands by $50 because of it. Every band with a magnet has this warning on the package, and none of the Ultra bands have magnets.

 

[azhava]

That's hardly surprising, any compass is going to be affected by magnetic devices around it. Compasses work by orienting to the earth's magnetic field, so anything magnetic is going to throw it off. Even being near/under electric power lines can screw up the readings.

There's an article here that explains how a compass works:

How does a compass work

A compass works by detecting and responding to the Earth’s natural magnetic fields. The Earth has an iron core that is part liquid and part solid crystal, due to gravitational pressure. It is believed that movement in the liquid outer core is what produces the Earth’s magnetic field. Like all suc

www.dalvey.com

 

[SoGood]

I was just surprised how sensitive AW’s compass is. With the magnet on the other side of the wrist, that’s a fair way off. Oh well.

 

[NotApplicable]

This is like, literally how compasses work. It’s like complaining that tinting your camera lens affects photo quality.

 

[parseckadet]

Our schools have failed society.

 

[qlyus]

I bought Milanese Loop and Leather Link from Apple store. Both affected AW8 severely. I took a few pictures where the AW8 was sitting flat on the table and the bands' magnets were stretched far.