Rick while I agree with your basic premise, more conversations with the MFG have helped. Basically while many points everyone made are valid and I appreciate all the input, I took some of these conscerns to Nexus. They said "Yes this is mostly all true but in the real world as opposed to the theoretical,
compass performance is affected so little it can't be measured in most cases". Also as low in the
boat as I have it installed it, it is at foot level when standing on the
cabin sole, will reduce it's motion and acceleration more than if I had installed it on the centerline which would have had to be considerably higher. All in all it will even out performance wise.
I appreciate all the comments as it gave me more ammunition to talk to the people at Nexus and bounce those ideas off of them.
By the way, while it is not well known, the Nexus system is great and their support is wonderful. This
Fluxgate compass was broken - internally when I bought the
boat (unknown to me), a year later when I went to install it I called the dealer and he told me to open it up and let them know what I was seeing. Well the mounting for the glass compass ball was broken and the wire had come disconnected, also there was a broken corner on the outer case. I got an e mail that same day from Nexus up in
Vancouver that said send us the compass. So about two weeks later my compass appeared at my door all fixed and tested in a brand new case and they didnt even ask me to pay the shipping!..That is some
service considering that I didnt even buy the thing originally. Also they have been invaluable in helping me with other
parts like extension
cables and
advice. I know that when it comes time to get other stuff they will be first on my list.