K3ii Electronic Compass?

Has anyone out there got either a K3 with the GPS unit OR the K3ii? On my nice new K3ii I'm still messing and learning, so I tried the Electronic Compass. It doesn't point North (lens direction) when I point the camera North. Or show any readings for Latitude or Longitude or Altitude or Coordinated Universal Time. As per page 13 in the Operating Manual. It does switch on the GPS as it's supposed to. I will 'phone SRS at some time to see if they can help. I'm just wondering if maybe it is one of the firmware glitches that are happening with the K3ii's?
HELP. CHEERS Vic.

I am also getting used to the functions of my new K3ii. Mine seems OK. Tried recallibrating?

What exactly do you mean by "REcalibrating"? What needs recalibrating? and how?
CHEERS Vic.

On the iPhone we rotate the phone until the circle around the compass is complete. I imagine there is a similar procedure on the K-3II, but can't double check as I no longer have the K-3II with me. Review copies have to go back....

I used to have a Timex watch in which the compass had to be set up in the way John describes. This was best done away from strong magnet influences, ie in the middle of a field out in the wilds

I have the GPS unit on my K-5ii. The compass works as it should, but you do need to calibrate it by turning the camera in a figure 8, same as you do with a mobile phone, until it says it is calibrated. It doesn't take long.
Give it a try.

You don't need a camera to find North Satellite dishes face South

OR use your watch......

http://www.instructables.com/id/3-Ways-to-Find-North-Without-a-Compass/

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Algi

Unfortunately that's not true unless the dish is pointing at the Nordic satellite at 1 deg West, because most UK dishes are pointed at the Astra satellites at 28.2 East - and then there is the deviation between True and Magnetic North which is about 4 deg in the UK.
(aligned a few dishes manually myself !)
Therefore you probably still need a decent "real" compass !

First find your satellite dish, then assume it is pointing at the right satellite.

Of course on a sunny day (or even one which isn't heavily overcast) it is easy enough to work out generally were north is, though not with any degree of accuracy.

I tend to use my phone rather than my camera for a compass, as it is quicker to access an app than dive into the menus.

Don't forget to take into account the theory of relativity with all satellite calcs.

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Well now folks, It's all sorted. It is a case of calibration. The problem was that there is no direct guide in the operating manual to the compass calibration. It all comes under GPS.
Start at page 2 section 3 down to GPS. Then turn to page 5 and look at Using the GPS. These will point you to page 63/64 where you will find CALIBRATION. After that it's a simple case of following instructions. BUT the finding of it was a pain in the arse. I love my Pentax cameras but sometimes the manual is just a tad frustrating. I'm the type of person who actually reads operators manuals. I've written and modified one or two myself in my working life and I used to get annoyed at people who didn't read them then ask me stupid questions which they could find in the manual. Therefore I just wish Pentax would write theirs a little better. Not to worry that's my rant over and the "problem" sorted.
Thanks for all your input.
CHEERS Vic.

Good to hear you know where you are now
John

Well at least you get a manual with Pentax! Not always the case with other makes

Algi. Are you some kind of nutter? Of course I took the theory of relativity into consideration as I do in every decision I make. Show me your mad house and I'll show you mine.

John. On a serious note I've always known where I am but like any new thing I buy I always try to go through the book and try out all functions if for no other reason just to make sure it all works even if I never use that function again.

To all other folk who contributed to this thread thank you for your input. That's what makes this site so good. Everyone is willing to help each other.

CHEERS Vic.

Sorry Vic not aimed at you I should have quoted jeallen01's post telling me that I had been going in the wrong direction all my life

I should have also added that the satellite's only face exactly south in Constanta, Romania when pointed at Astra 2.

To make sure what satellite a dish is pointed at use this.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AFtcgYRcu4



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