When you think of a ship's compass, you may remember the old-fashioned compasses that merely pointed continuously to the north. Marine compasses have now become so advanced that they have many more functions. These extra qualities have made a compass indispensable for anyone on the water with a boat. Not only because of the extra functions, but also because of the accuracy of this navigation tool. Below you can read more about the compass, how exactly this navigation tool works, what functions it currently has and which brands you can find in the Mediawinkel.eu range.
How does a ship's compass work?
The standard on many large ships is still a magnetic compass that serves as a reference direction, on the basis of which courses are determined. For pleasure boats, however, there are several ways in which a marine compass obtains its data. A number of these methods are listed below:
GPS boat, an abbreviation for Global Positioning System, uses 24 satellites that float around the world to determine your exact position on the water. The position is displayed in the form of coordinates. This way you can see exactly where you are, which helps you determine and maintain your course. In addition, you can always be found by emergency services in the event of an emergency. Many compasses use GPS, including several of the compasses that can be found in the Mediawinkel.eu range.
Sensors: compasses that use sensors can also be found in the Mediawinkel.eu webshop. Using gyros, attached to the three axes of the boat, accurate course information is displayed on your boat's interface. This way you can immediately see your position and the direction you are sailing.
Fluxgate: this type of marine compass is most similar to the old-fashioned compass, due to the fact that this is an electromagnetic device. The difference is that the data a fluxgate compass receives is digitized, making it more than just a magnetic compass. This means that this instrument can be linked, for example, to an autopilot instrument.
What functions does a ship's compass have?
As stated earlier, today's compasses are a lot more advanced compared to the compasses of the past. You can still use a compass to see in which wind direction you are sailing and whether you are still on the right course, but nowadays there is so much more possible compared to the past. The functions a compass has depend on the type of compass you ultimately choose. For example, GPS, sensor or fluxgate compasses can differ considerably. So read carefully in advance about the different functions that the ship's compasses have.
What additional functions does the average ship's compass have? In addition to reading the sailing direction, you can think of functions such as determining the turning speed and estimating the depth of the water. All kinds of compasses often collect data, which you can read on the interface of your boat. This could include the coordinates of your position and the speed of your own boat. In addition, it is possible to connect a compass to autopilots and autopilot instruments.
Ship compass marks
In the Mediawinkel.eu range you will find several well-known brands in the field of marine compasses. A selection from the range of our webshop:
Raymarine: for many years one of the most popular manufacturers in the field of boat instruments, including marine compasses.
Simrad: this brand has been a leader in the field of boat navigation for years.
B&G: this manufacturer has several high-quality navigation systems, so you are also in the right place when it comes to ship compasses.
You will find these and other brands in the Mediawinkel.eu range.
