I Finder H20/Hunt Compass Questions

[cbearw]

Hi All: Have been playing with my I Finder Hunt GPS now for a month or so. Must say I like it alot. Dont have any mapping programs for it yet but have a couple of questions with regard to the compass.
When on the compass page and I tip the unit forward a little and the heading marker will swing of the true bearing as much as 20 to 30 degrees depending on how much I tip it forward. Same if I tip it back a little only the needle will swing the other way. In other words unless it is pretty much exactly level it will produce a bearing that is off a lot. I know the manual says to keep the back of the unit parallel with the ground but I never thought it would be quite this sensitive. Is this pretty much the case with most hand held GPS that incorporate a compass feature?
Also should I have the GPS set to the True North or Magnetic North setting for use with paper topo maps? My Silva Compass has a declination feature built for use with paper topo maps. I think topo maps are drawn up to use True North. Thanks very much................Tom :)

[BUGBOAT]

My E-trex Vista cx compass needs to be held level to the ground. It is
very sesitive to being tilted as you described.

Dont know about true north or magnetic north. But I think I get a more
accurate reading with magnetic north. Just like an old fashioned compass
"magnetic".

[cbearw]

Bugboat: Thanks for your response. I suspect this may be the case with quite a few makes and models and not something wrong with my particular unit. As this is my first gps and don't have have a lot of comparitive experiance to draw on. Thanks again...............Tom:)

[Due51]

I had the same problem with my iFinder. The compass will not work properly if the unit is not held flat. I called the customer service and the guy told me it's just like a hand held compass--it won't work if you tip it one way or another.

Another problem I have with my compass is that I don't think it's very accurate. I've calibrated it a couple times but it never seems to correspond with my regular compass.

[cbearw]

Due51: Yes thats the same with mine. Not easy to find the I finders level point when in thick bush on a hillside or in ideal conditions for that matter. It is definitly more sensitive that way than my liquid filled Silva compass. I was calibrating mine alot but now at least I know that I can be out alot simply by not having the unit level. I have also found that contrary to what the manual says after I calibrate it there is no message saying "calibration done". It just switches to the compass menu and I exit out from there. I should and will have my regular compass with me too and will be double checking my I Finder bearings just to be safe for awhile. I have also found that some of the text in the manual does not match up with the appropriate illustrations. Especially with regard to the navigation and compass discussions. Small complaints however with what seems to be a pretty good unit.
Thanks very much for your reply.......................Tom