Why is this called a new type of compass, while its the same compass with an additional component. I have no interest in compasses and but looking at the video, its so simple it should already exist.
Because it's not a fluid filled compass and it's not one that has a disk blocking the map, or any other existing compass. What would you consider it? And yeah most the of the best inventions are that way. Imagine somebody had to invent a wheel. So simple it should already exist
That's a really good catch. Didn't notice it my first time watching it. I suppose that either way it beats the old method but that's very weird to do that to the test.
Agree, I've also seen other comments that note this getting removed. I'm now shadowbanned from commenting on the video. It would be great if more people noted this issue so that some of them might not be moderated and blocked.
Somehow YouTube inserted this video into my feed when it had an extremely small number of views. I am not a compass technology fan or outdoor orienteering person or anything, but I do like novel and elegant technology. People complain about the YouTube algorithm but it's actually pretty good most of the time, I think.
The inhibition of movement via eddy currents works best while the needle is moving fast, so you can still end up with smaller oscillations for a while - the apparent jump-cut to a stationary needle could be hiding that.
It's far easier to just use a compass with a needle brake - manually dampen the oscillation using the brake (and let go to ensure you aren't holding an incorrect reading) and you get a reading quickly.
I am not a compass-nerd at all, and wonder: why don't we all use electronic compasses these days? Or, why use compasses at all? easier ways of navigating have been developed.
1. A traditional compass is cheaper. They are so cheap they are built into the caps of ultra-cheap hiking sticks.
2. Traditional compasses don't need recharging.
3. Traditional compasses don't seem to be as easily fooled by stray EM noise. It could be the inertial dampening of the mass of the needle, but I've been in the woods where expensive electronic compasses misfired, but the old-fashioned one still worked just fine.
4. Dedicated devices have far lower usage hurdles. If I'm hiking, a glance at the top of my stick tells me the general (8-point) direction I'm going. An electronic compass at a minimum requires me to fish out a device and turn it on, or open an app.
5. If you aren't navigating by precise map measurements, all you really need is 8-point information (that is, "northwest" instead of 281 degrees). Needles in a circle are perfect for this; digital degrees are not.
Untrue. Google maps infers direction from multiple time-separated locations - that is, your velocity vector. If you don't move, it guesses - and is quite often wrong.
No. You can see blue emit from your position in the direction your phone is pointing. If you turn around, it will turn around too. It uses the built in compass for this.
25 comments
[ 2.5 ms ] story [ 53.6 ms ] threadIt's far easier to just use a compass with a needle brake - manually dampen the oscillation using the brake (and let go to ensure you aren't holding an incorrect reading) and you get a reading quickly.
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46462742
This post appears to be karma farming.
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=26998308
1. A traditional compass is cheaper. They are so cheap they are built into the caps of ultra-cheap hiking sticks.
2. Traditional compasses don't need recharging.
3. Traditional compasses don't seem to be as easily fooled by stray EM noise. It could be the inertial dampening of the mass of the needle, but I've been in the woods where expensive electronic compasses misfired, but the old-fashioned one still worked just fine.
4. Dedicated devices have far lower usage hurdles. If I'm hiking, a glance at the top of my stick tells me the general (8-point) direction I'm going. An electronic compass at a minimum requires me to fish out a device and turn it on, or open an app.
5. If you aren't navigating by precise map measurements, all you really need is 8-point information (that is, "northwest" instead of 281 degrees). Needles in a circle are perfect for this; digital degrees are not.
I’ve watched this guys stuff for years, and was excited about this making it to the front page. Very disappointing.