Help Is anyone else experiencing a "busy" compass?

[BA100]

I tried using Google Maps navigation in my car. The orientation of my location "blue dot" arrow was often incorrect (with correct location). When I enabled compass mode the map orientation was often incorrect and would change while I was stationary. I figured that the magnets within the dashboard speakers were interfering until I had the same problem in the middle of my yard. I've tried several compass apps and all exhibited some degree of instability and random directional shifts. I've tried to calibrate the compass using the "figure-8" maneuver with no success. The GPS seems to be very accurate. Any suggestions? Is my M9 defective?

 

[tommo47]

Hi, as a matter of interest I have three apps with a compass funtion - GPS Status, GPS Test Plus and GPS Grid Reference. I use my navigation and mapping apps extensively - mainly for hill walking so one of the first things I do with a new device is calibrate the compass. Having done that on my week old M9, I've compared all three apps to two standard magnetic compasses which agree with each other so can be assumed to be accurate.

I've found that the three apps give a different result, the most accurate is GPS Status which gives a rock steady bearing identical to the magnetic compasses. The next best is GPS Grid reference which although steady is 4 degrees out, GPS Test Plus gives a bearing fluctuating by up to 4 degrees.

I'd be interested to know what apps you've tried.

I can't say I've noticed anything amiss with Google Maps navigation.

 

[BA100]

I've tried Google maps, Compass Level and Field Compass.

The compass is very sensitive to the presence of metal (steel) in the immediate area. It works perfectly (accurate and stable) on a wooden conference table but not on an adjacent laminated table with steel legs. The readings are over 36 degrees different in the same orientation (the steel legged table readings constantly dither by 5 degrees). I'm going by the Verizon store during lunch to compare with a display model.

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Follow-up:

The compass on the display model at the Verizon store was not functioning properly either. The magnet in the anti-theft security base offset the reading by a few degrees but its readings were steady and not drifting. At Verizon's suggestion, I contacted HTC via the website support chat tool and was instructed to boot into recovery mode and wipe the cache. That seem to have corrected the problem (what ever it was. The compass now correctly indicates direction and does not drift.