Compass shows true north

[devemux86]

We can allow the compass to show the direction of the true north.

This is mainly useful in normal map view, as in navigation / follow modes with map rotation,
the compass already rotates to show the north direction of the map.

It will be optional in "Settings | Map | Compass sensor",
as sensors affect the battery.

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True north is the direction that points directly towards the geographic North Pole. This is a fixed point on the Earth’s globe.

Magnetic north is the direction that a compass needle points to as it aligns with the Earth’s magnetic field.
Magnetic North Pole shifts and changes over time in response to changes in the Earth’s magnetic core. It is not a fixed point.

[umpfmpf]

When I navigate I have a charger connected anyway, so the battery power consumption doesn't really matter to me.

[devemux86]

@umpfmpf

Compass true north is for the normal map view.

I'm not sure if we also need it in navigation / follow when map rotation is active.
(could complicate things)

[umpfmpf]

For me, the compass is actually very important for my orientation. I just don't understand what is meant by true north.

[devemux86]

@umpfmpf I updated the first post with info about true north and magnetic north.

In navigation / follow the compass shows the direction of the rotated map's north.
Not the earth's north, although we could do it, but I don't know if we really need it.

[umpfmpf]

Would that make a difference as long as I'm somewhere in Central Europe?

[devemux86]

@umpfmpf

Better try Cruiser navigation (or simulation) or follow modes and see the compass.

Then try any compass app from Google Play, like GPS Status or GPSTest apps.
It will help understand what the compass can display.

[Ciutnik]

Here is a clever magnetic declination calculator. Once it has determined your position, it shows the compass with "both norths" and the value of their difference:

https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomag/calculators/mobileDeclination.shtml

[devemux86]

Compass shows true north is available in the latest:

• Cruiser 5.0.0 (Beta) #610

Activate with "Settings | Map | Compass sensor".
For more instructions please see above.

[kds112]

Thanks a lot! The German translation might be changed to "Kompasssensor aktivieren" instead of "Aktivieren Sie den Kompasssensor".

[devemux86]

@kds112 thanks, we can change the translation. 👍

[devemux86]

• Compass shows true north is available in Cruiser 5.0.4 #641

Activate with "Settings | Map | Compass sensor".
For more instructions please see above.

[devemux86]

• Compass sensor filtering was improved in Cruiser 5.0.4 #641