Gyro Compass

Determines True North — Unlike a magnetic compass, it uses gyroscopic effects and the Earth’s rotation to find true north.

Unaffected by Magnetic Interference — Because it doesn’t rely on magnetic fields, it’s stable even aboard steel ships with heavy electrical equipment.

Integrates with Navigation Systems — Commonly hooked into autopilots, radar systems, and heading repeaters for seamless bridge operation.

Types & Technology Differences — Includes spinning-mass gyros, fiber-optic gyros (FOG), and ring-laser gyros (RLG); newer tech means less maintenance.

Key Performance Metrics — Includes accuracy to true north, settling time after startup or movement, drift over time, and maintenance interval.

Requires Reliable Power & Backup — Needs continuous, stable power supply and often a backup system (or magnetic compass) for redundancy in case of failure.