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A magnetic compass uses the poles of our planet to stay in alignment. A Gyroscopic compass is set to a particular direction and tends to try to stay that way. After time, even the best Gyro will start to precess (move). This means the you will need to compare your Gyro to the magnetic every 15 minutes or so. Some modern gyroscopic compasses are capable of auto resetting to do this update automatically

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A magnetic compass uses the poles of our planet to stay in alignment. A Gyroscopic compass is set to a particular direction and tends to try to stay that way. After time, even the best Gyro will start to precess (move). This means the you will need to compare your Gyro to the magnetic every 15 minutes or so. Some modern gyroscopic compasses are capable of auto resetting to do this update automatically

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Jimmy Mueller

Lvl 13
3y ago
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A magnetic compass uses Earth's magnetic field to determine direction, while a gyrocompass uses the rotation of the Earth to point to true north. A gyrocompass is not affected by magnetic fields or metallic objects, making it more accurate than a magnetic compass.

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AnswerBot

10mo ago
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A magnetic compass uses the poles of our planet to stay in alignment. A Gyroscopic compass is set to a particular direction and tends to try to stay that way. After time, even the best Gyro will start to precess (move). This means the you will need to compare your Gyro to the magnetic every 15 minutes or so. Some modern gyroscopic compasses are capable of auto resetting to do this update automatically.

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Wiki User

15y ago
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Q: What is the Difference between magnetic and gyro compass?
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What is the difference between gyro and directional gyro?

A gyro is a device that uses the principle of angular momentum to maintain orientation, while a directional gyro is a type of gyro that specifically measures and displays an aircraft's heading. The main difference is that a gyro can refer to any device utilizing gyroscopic principles, while a directional gyro specifically refers to a gyro used for determining aircraft heading.


What is important magnetic compass or gyro compass?

Both magnetic compasses and gyro compasses are important for navigation at sea. Magnetic compasses are reliable and do not rely on external power sources, making them essential as a backup in case of equipment failure. Gyro compasses are more accurate and stable, providing precise heading information unaffected by magnetic interference. A combination of both types of compasses ensures redundancy and enhances safety in navigation.


What does a magnetic compass do?

It uses a magnetic needle to point to the earth's magnetic North Pole. The only other type of compass used is a gyro-compass. This uses a wheel which rotates parallel with the earth's rotation.


What is the power source of a gyro compass?

A gyro compass is powered by electricity, typically from the ship's electrical system. The gyro compass relies on the principle of a continuously spinning gyroscope to maintain its orientation and provide accurate heading information.


What is the reaction of a gyro compass to an applied force?

When a force is applied to a gyro compass, it will try to maintain its alignment in space and resist external influences due to its gyroscopic properties. The gyro will precess in response to the force, causing the compass card to tilt or rotate. Ultimately, the gyro compass will seek to stabilize itself and align with the true north once the external force is removed.