Get compass heading into my laptop?

[flightlead404]

You don't need any of that stuff to do what you want to do.

Get a cheapo arduino mini pro or similar for $2, the FDDI/USB connector, prob $10, and a triple-axis magnetomer breakout boar for $5 . Heck, get three compass sensors and then use voting logic.

You'll be under $20 for the lot.

[chris95040]

Originally Posted by cyan

You previously mentioned wanting USB data to your laptop. Well, the Arduino (or Raspberry Pi) is already powered by USB. No “power supply” to get right. Plastic cases already exist for $5. It’s simply going to always run the last code you uploaded, every time you plug it in.

I used an Arduino Uno (with an IMU add-on board) to do a similar thing, but just for pitch/yaw/roll data in my boat. The code is just a few lines of C. The Nano model I mentioned instead has the IMU built in. Starting out, it could take you more like an hour if it’s your 1st time using the IDE, but wayyy simpler than Visual Studio with good instructions that a child could follow. I think there are even a few similar projects on this forum, but endless sample code, drivers, and help on the Arduino site.

The OpenCPN/Raspberry Pi suggestion upthread was a good one, as you don’t need to reinvent the wheel. However, if you really wish to do your own system, then my suggestion for compass data is a no-brainer. You could even go with a different model for additional GPS, etc.

If you’re into the math, then writing code to create a virtual compass gimbal out of the 3 axis data might be fun. If not, I’m sure it’s already been done, and the code is easy to find.

Mmm, like I said, the arduino is a good suggestion. Barring any ‘no assembly required’ solutions at a reasonable price, I’ll look into it.

[StoneCrab]

Originally Posted by cyan

if it’s your 1st time using the IDE, but wayyy simpler than Visual Studio with good instructions that a child could follow. I think there are even a few similar projects on this forum, but endless sample code, drivers, and help on the Arduino site.
, and the code is easy to find.

Find a kid who does FIRST Robotics competitions. Those high school kids use magnetometer and accelerometers on their robots all the time. The use a combination of modules and custom code.

A few years ago they ran the robots off of Android phones. Programming was done in Visual Studio.

Another suggestion is to contact Andy Mark. https://www.andymark.com/ They have most of the hardware and great tech support.

[Dsanduril]

I like the multi-axis suggestions, but if a lower (than $400) priced NMEA 0183 compass is still of interest:

https://www.nasamarine.com/product/nmea-compass-sensor/

Gets the cost down to <$150.

Have used a few of their devices, but never the compass.

[chris95040]

Originally Posted by StoneCrab

Find a kid who does FIRST Robotics competitions. Those high school kids use magnetometer and accelerometers on their robots all the time. The use a combination of modules and custom code.



A few years ago they ran the robots off of Android phones. Programming was done in Visual Studio.



Another suggestion is to contact Andy Mark. https://www.andymark.com/ They have most of the hardware and great tech support.

Thanks- I very much appreciate the suggestions. But this thread is turning into ways to reinvent the compass heading sensor, and I’m not interested in that. I could do it. I could do it with arduinoes or pies or discrete components and breadboards and sky wires. I could point a camera at a mechanical compass and train a linear model to turn pictures of compasses into headings, I get it, if I want to spend time reinventing heading sensors, I can.

I’m having some fun with a pet project involving a novel way of cataloguing, visualizing, and using my ‘polar’ data. I need real-time compass heading data and would seriously have to hold my nose while spending $600 for it. Upthread there is a suggestion for one that’s less than $400, that will likely be the winner!

Thanks everyone, appreciate all of your perspectives.

[chris95040]

Originally Posted by Dsanduril

I like the multi-axis suggestions, but if a lower (than $400) priced NMEA 0183 compass is still of interest:

https://www.nasamarine.com/product/nmea-compass-sensor/

Gets the cost down to &lt;$150.

Have used a few of their devices, but never the compass.

Ahh great suggestion!

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by chris95040

It’s not about redundancy. Direction the boat is pointing and direction of course over ground are two different things, and I need both.

Yeah, that's why I mentioned the handheld compass.

Plus, it's a nice backup to electronics.

Also the "little boat" representing your course/position on OpenCPN shows the direction in which you are pointing.

[chris95040]

Originally Posted by thomm225

Yeah, that's why I mentioned the handheld compass.



Plus, it's a nice backup to electronics.



Also the "little boat" representing your course/position on OpenCPN shows the direction in which you are pointing.

I don’t think you understand the topic of this thread, but thanks for trying to help!

[Oinoin]

May be this App is a solution. It sends GPS and compass via UDP from your android phone to your laptop. https://github.com/decodeais/Android...pass-Forwarder
I stopped developing because my phones compass seemed to be not gold enough.