Basic Usage
This watch uses solar position calculations to determine true north. The red arrow points toward north when properly calibrated.
Important: The watch automatically detects your location for accurate calculations.
Allow location access when prompted for best results.
Daytime Operation (6 AM - 6 PM)
- Simply follow the red arrow tip to find true north
- For increased accuracy, activate the correction feature
- The correction accounts for your exact location and time zone
Nighttime Operation (6 PM - 6 AM)
- During nighttime hours, the system automatically reverses the arrow
- When "USE TAIL END" appears, follow the opposite end of the red arrow
- This accounts for the mathematical discontinuity in the watch method
Correction Feature
The correction system accounts for:
- Your exact longitude within your time zone
- Seasonal variations in the sun's position (declination)
- The Equation of Time (sun running fast or slow)
- Atmospheric refraction effects
Activate correction for precise navigation, especially near time zone boundaries.
Understanding the Display
- Digital Time: Current time in 24-hour format
- Correction Display: Shows how much to adjust the watch for true north
- Debug Info: Technical details for understanding the calculations
- USE TAIL END: Appears during nighttime hours (6 PM - 6 AM)
Technical Notes
This implementation uses sophisticated solar position algorithms that account for:
- Latitude and longitude effects
- Solar declination throughout the year
- Equation of Time corrections
- Hemisphere-specific calculations (automatically detected)
- The 6 PM/6 AM reversal to handle mathematical discontinuities
Time Zone Boundaries
When you're near time zone boundaries, the correction becomes especially important:
- The standard watch method assumes you're at the center of your time zone
- Near boundaries, this assumption can cause significant errors
- The correction feature adjusts for your exact longitude within the time zone
- This ensures accurate direction finding regardless of your position
Tip: Always activate the correction feature when navigating near time zone boundaries for maximum accuracy.
Troubleshooting
- Arrow seems incorrect: Check if "USE TAIL END" is displayed (nighttime mode)
- Poor accuracy: Activate correction and ensure location access is enabled
- No location data: The watch uses default coordinates - allow location access for better accuracy
- Debug information: Use the debug panel to understand the calculations