Garmin 60 CSX problem

[greyowl1]

Question for the CSX owners.  I'm on my second CSX (warranty) but wondering if others have my problem.  Forgetting about the Elec compass for a minute , I'm finding that the Heading degrees & Bearing degrees bounce around a lot when I'm walking to a projected waypoint.  For instance, when I'm practicing & lock in a waypoint straight down a road that I know is straight west, the bearing degree which should always show 270 seems to bounce 20 degrees either way and the heading can be the same.  I know the compass needs the GPS to be held flat but does it need to be held flat (in front of you) at all times when you are walking in order to reflect the correct target direction.  Seems to operate better in a moving boat but the way it varies I think there is a better chance of getting you lost in deep woods. 
Bottom line: - does it have to be flat level to show the right direction?
                    - would it make a significant diff which "north" direction is set a standard ( ie: magnetic, true, grid)?

Appreciate any comments / experience.   Thanks     

[Glanceblamm]

Welcome to Graybeard Outdoors greyowl1

Does that CSX behave ok on other stretches of road or just that one? It is sounding like interference of a type maybe caused by a power line but I have personaly never seen this.

I dont believe that it matters which way you hold the unit, should be able to hold it upside down if you wish and it would still reflect the correct heading.

[Siskiyou]

A little later this morning I will take a walk using the electronic compass in my Rino 530HCx which is very similar, in fact I would describe it as a modified 60CSX with a radio tacked on it. 

I might take my 76Cx with the gps compass as a checker.

glanceblamm deal on the powerlines maybe on the mark.  There is a location not far from my home where there is a junction in the powerlines. And not far from that junction are transformers and other equipment on the poles such as a switch, and fuses.  When I hit this junction I am not always in agreement with the gps.  I need to get a walk in before it starts storming.

[Siskiyou]

I am glad that I used the word similar.

The 60CSx can be switched from electronic compass to Satellite compass by holding the page key down.  This is not the case with the Rino 530HCx.

On my walk the 530HCx require that the electronic compass be held level with the surface of the earth not level with my body.  Depending if I was moving up or downhill I had to cant the unit.  If I failed to do so a message shows on the lower screen saying, Hold Level and the compass needle rotates.

At the same time the 76Cx with the satellite compass did not require leveling.  Suggested that you make sure you’re the electronic compass is turned off and the compass icon is showing in the status bar at the top of the screen.

I went down to the electronic maze and it had no effect on the units today.  I ask myself if weather has an impact on electronic interference.  Today the weather is cool and cloudy, the last time I noted the interference it was warm and sunny.  I have walked for miles in the past and not noticed electronic interference around powerlines until I get to this enter section.  There is a possibility that post storm repairs by the power company changed out the hardware that was creating the problem.

Footnote:  As a user of a gps unit that has an Electronic Compass and Altimeter and a gps that uses the GPS/Satellite compass and Altimeter I do not think the electronic components are worth the extra cost.  The electronic compass is easy to calibrate, but if you are out in a remote mountainous area getting update pressure information can be tough.  There are some areas we do not receive weather radio and any other broadcast radio. With my map page up I pan the map to my location and the elevation appears in the data box at the top screen.  I will use this information to set the Altimeter.  It is the best information I have at hand.

The direction say use the default gps elevation.  I just went outside and obtained the map and the satellite/GPS elevation.  The map elevation was ten feet higher.  Both are good for my use. 

[greyowl1]

Thanks for the input so far guys.  I use both a Bearing (in degrees) & Heading (in degrees) on most pages ie: when my bearing indicator "in degrees" shows my point is at 270 degrees as long as my heading is always about 270 I consider myself right on.  My problem is that when I walking, holding the unit in front of me, the bearing degrees seem to jump around a lot even when I know I'm waking straight down a street due west. I know the compass needs to be held flat, but is it nessessary to hold the unit "flat" (level) for the other pages that show bearing & heading correctly. In my mind, as long as I am moving, it shoudn't matter whether I hold it flat or horizontal , it should show 270 & 270./ no?  I'm trying to figure out what is normal with this unit, or if I have a dud.
I appreciate the feedback as I need total confidence in the unit in Manitoba's far north remote wildernesss.  Thanks     

[Siskiyou]

What mode is your compass operating, electronic or GPS.  If it is in elecytronic mode shut it down and use gps mode and see what happens.