Potential Magnetic Compass Bug

[pierscockey]

Am I doing something wrong, or has something changed since all the how-to videos, Chuck's guide and manual were made? 

The white mark which is used (according to the guides) to line up with the white cross on the needle, no longer moves when the outside dial is turned.  It stays at 12 o'clock. 

I notice there was a fix in May 23 2.8.4.39731 where there was a fix to the lubber line.  Was this a change to how the white mark also behaves?

Cheers

[Skewgear]

Which white mark do you mean? Do you have a picture, video or short track file?

I was able to use the compass earlier this week as intended so I think it's probably OK, but worth a look.

[pierscockey]

1 hour ago, Skewgear said:

Which white mark do you mean? Do you have a picture, video or short track file?

I was able to use the compass earlier this week as intended so I think it's probably OK, but worth a look.

It’s the white mark below the ‘N’.
 

I’ve literally just filmed my screen.  First bit is Reflected’s YouTube vid, the 2nd is me.

Looking at both together the compasses look very different, so possibly it’s an improvement by DCS.  I had always thought the white line was an extension of the cross to make it easier to line up, but perhaps not.  

 

 

Edited October 16, 2024 by pierscockey

[Skewgear]

Yeah, second half is how it's meant to be and is the current build.

[Terry Dactil]

Yes, it is working correctly now. That white line (the lubber line) is now correctly fixed to the comps bowl and not the rotating glass as it is a reference to the nose of the aircraft (for heading)

Here is an example where the desired heading is set to 300° and the aircraft has been turned to place the compass crossed needle pointing to
"N" an the parallel lines help with the parallax.

 

Edited October 16, 2024 by Terry Dactil

[pierscockey]

Thanks all!  
 

Definitely not much good for navigation!  It’s so difficult to get an accurate reading airborne as you have to be perfectly straight and level for it to settle.  Easiest way I find (other than look at F10!) is to steer on to a cardinal (preferably North), note what the gyro says and adjust from there.

Edited October 17, 2024 by pierscockey

[Skewgear]

19 hours ago, pierscockey said:

Thanks all!  
 

Definitely not much good for navigation!  It’s so difficult to get an accurate reading airborne as you have to be perfectly straight and level for it to settle.  Easiest way I find (other than look at F10!) is to steer on to a cardinal (preferably North), note what the gyro says and adjust from there.

 

That's how it worked. The P8 was derived from a marine compass design which would obviously be straight and level for most of the time. I find that if you're on a long transit it's best to correct the DG every so often from the compass, drift is modelled.