Topic: HS GPS puck problems

[LocDown]

I have currently upgraded to the 360 and Heading Sensor GPS. Sometimes the HS will match my course direction but other times it won't. I have adjusted it via the menu but that will only do -30 to +30 degrees. I think it should be able to be adjusted to -90 to +90. The GPS puck is mounted with the arrow facing forward but doesn't always show that way on the screen. The fault is while the 360 is on the screen and trying to cast to the fish when I'm XX degrees off. Any help?

[Trout Bum]

You need to check the location for magnetic interference.
When I first mounted mine I had similar problems. It varied and was off by as much as 100 degrees.
I checked the location with a hunting compass and found all kinds of variations do to magnetic interference, not only when moving the compass horizontally but even vertically.
I moved the compass all around the general area, both vertically and horizontally, I wanted to mount the HS until I found a completely neutral area. I mounted the HS there and never had to make any adjustment in the menu settings.
Works great and is dead nuts accurate.

[LocDown]

did you have to move yours far?

[Trout Bum]

I had to move it about 10 -12 inches forward and mount it directly on top of the extended deck just rear of my starboard rod locker.

Originally I had it mounted on a 7" riser in the rear starboard corner about 6" in from the side and 6" forward of 6" the transom. I can't for the life of me figure out why there was magnetic interference in that location. The top of it was just a few inches lower than the top of the transom.

Now it is about 8-10 inches lower than the side of the boat but works great.

[LocDown]

I'm going to try to swap locations with this current config. The compass didn't deflect with the left circle area.

[LocDown]

After first startup, the new config seems to be working. Hope to test this on the water soon.

[Humminbird_Greg]

Just an FYI for others that may be having problems with the GPS-HS as well: when you go checking for magnetic anomalies on their boats; be sure to power on the equipment the GPS-HS will be mounted around.  I heard from someone this morning that had a problem but only when their strobe light was turned on.  The light must only put off a magnetic field when it is powered on and none when it is powered off.

[Trout Bum]

Excellent point Greg.

I didn't do that. Everything was off. Guess I just got lucky.

[LocDown]

update: everything is working 95% of the time now. I don't know why sometimes the heading would be off about +-9 but the rest of the time no correction is on point.

[Trout Bum]

Could it be wind/current that is causing this?

Try finding a place where there is no appreciable current, except for that which is generated by the wind. Then go in one direction to the wind and note the error and then go in the opposite direction to the wind and note the error and it should change from + to - or - to +.

For instance, if you are lets say heading 30 degrees to the left of dead downwind and you note an error of ? degrees, turn so you are heading 30 degrees to the right of dead downwind and note the error. It should be the exact opposite (like one way is +9 and the other -9). If so, you are dead on. If not, it's probably something else.