Something wrong with google skymap

[King Neptune117]

Whenever I point it at a celestial object, it is off by 15 degrees. It is also very like unstable, when I move it it is not smooth at all, it is like all over the place. Just a very shaky application. When I first got the phone it was great, but lately it has been very off.

 

[sniffs]

your compass might be off.. try moving your phone in a figure 8 motion to recalibrate.

 

[EvilMonkey]

I have the same problem. Do I need to have anything on for the compass to recalibrate (like to I need to be in the app)? How long do I need to move it around for?

And when you say a "figure 8 motion" what do you mean? I can think of about a dozen ways to move the phone in a figure 8 motion: screen up towards the sky or facing me? Should I keep the top of the phone facing the same direction as I move the phone around or should the top of the phone follow the figure 8 like a train on a track (if that makes sense)?

 

[sniffs]

Facing you..hold the phone like you're using it and do a regular figure 8.. not a sideways 8 like the infinity logo, just a regular figure 8. Start at the top and do it a few times.

 

[Zorro1]

Huh, have to try that. I've wondered how we calibrate since my gps needs calibration. And noticed the same thing when looking at the night sky...

 

[sniffs]

This is how you calibrate it on the iPhone's, so I would assume this is the same method..

 

[takeshi]

I've wondered how we calibrate since my gps needs calibration.

How do you figure that? There's no calibration for the GPS. If it's really off your probably not actually using the GPS receiver. GPS Status is a handy app for troubleshooting issues with your GPS receiver. IIRC it will also help with calibrating the magnetometer (compass) and pitch and roll.

 

[Zorro1]

My REAL gps, dude! Sorry, wasn't clear on that. I carry a DeLorme unit in the woods and sailing, it has an ecompass and all that. So it needs calibration. That's what made me wonder about the Droid...surely it needs it, too...not the gps, of course, but anything using a compass or proximity setting, etc.