Geekzone: technology news, blogs, forums
Guest
Welcome Guest.
You haven't logged in yet. If you don't have an account you can register now.


Forums › Off topic › Where's North on Google Maps?
geekIT

2485 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3808


#302099 28-Oct-2022 13:45
Send private message

I've always assumed that when you pull up Google Maps, due North will be at top center of the screen.

 

The old mapping compass I've had for years disagrees with this assumption, so I just bought a second compass on Trade Me. But now they're both pointing in the same direction, some 20/30 degrees different to my assumed Google Maps north. BTW, the compasses are nowhere near large metal objects.

 

Comments?




Trump crowned? No faux King way!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filter this topic showing only the reply marked as answer View this topic in a long page with up to 500 replies per page Create new topic
 1 | 2
PeterReader
6032 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 466

Trusted
Geekzone
Lifetime subscriber

  #2989229 28-Oct-2022 13:45
Send private message

Hmmmm. Here we go.




I am the Geekzone Robot and I am here to help. I am from the Internet. I do not interact. Do not expect other replies from me.

 

Referral links: Quic Broadband (free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE) | Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies 

 

Support Geekzone by subscribing (browse ads-free), or making a one-off or recurring donation through PressPatron.



nbroad
320 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 39


  #2989232 28-Oct-2022 13:49
Send private message

https://teara.govt.nz/en/map/9217/magnetic-declination-in-new-zealand

 

 

eracode
Smpl Mnmlst
9452 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6336

ID Verified
Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #2989233 28-Oct-2022 13:51
Send private message

PeterReader:

 

Hmmmm. Here we go.

 

 

Still addin' value after all these years.




Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.



kobiak
1621 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 564

Trusted

  #2989234 28-Oct-2022 13:56
Send private message

true north != magnetic field north.

 

google and other maps points to true north.




helping others at evgenyk.nz

floydbloke
3668 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4593

ID Verified

  #2989249 28-Oct-2022 14:47
Send private message

kobiak:

 

true north != magnetic field north.

 

google and other maps points to true north.

 

 

What do Tom Cruise and a compass have in common?😆




New Zealanders, on average, have one testicle.

eracode
Smpl Mnmlst
9452 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6336

ID Verified
Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #2989259 28-Oct-2022 15:06
Send private message

floydbloke:

 

What do Tom Cruise and a compass have in common?😆

 

 

Too good to be true?

 

He’s a deviant?

 

 




Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

 
 
 
 

Stream your favourite shows now on Apple TV (affiliate link).
MadEngineer
4644 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2619

Trusted

  #2989325 28-Oct-2022 17:32
Send private message

They used to fortify viagra with iron supplements… it was great until they found everyone started pointing north.




You're not on Atlantis anymore, Duncan Idaho.

Geektastic
18021 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 8480

Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #2989332 28-Oct-2022 17:49
Send private message

floydbloke:

kobiak:


true north != magnetic field north.


google and other maps points to true north.



What do Tom Cruise and a compass have in common?😆



Magnetic personalities?





eracode
Smpl Mnmlst
9452 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6336

ID Verified
Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #2989365 28-Oct-2022 20:20
Send private message

floydbloke:

 

kobiak:

 

true north != magnetic field north.

 

google and other maps points to true north.

 

 

What do Tom Cruise and a compass have in common?😆

 

 

Which sort of compass are you thinking of - the deviant, non-true navigation aid or the other type with a small prick pointing downward and that goes round in circles?




Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

Tinkerisk
4906 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3824


  #2989372 28-Oct-2022 20:43
Send private message

kobiak:

 

true north != magnetic field north.

 

google and other maps points to true north.

 

 

They generally point to reference north of the relevant geodetic system of the map in use. For google and aviation, it is WGS84 but there are more than 200 different geodetic systems in the world and you need to double check it.

 

The positions on a (paper) map and the GPS only match if both use the same reference system. Maps also often have the UTM as a reference.

 

 




     

  • Qui nihil scit, omnia credere debet. - He who knows nothing must believe everything.
  • Firewalls do NOT stop dragons. Really not!
  • I avoid Big Tech. They try hard to dictate technology and „culture“ across borders.
  • In effect we have everything to hide from someone, and no idea who „someone“ is.

MadEngineer
4644 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2619

Trusted

  #2989502 29-Oct-2022 13:44
Send private message

Here is North, on google maps:




https://maps.app.goo.gl/GpEoans7m7beexRH6?g_st=ic




You're not on Atlantis anymore, Duncan Idaho.

 
 
 
 

Shop now for Lego sets and other gifts (affiliate link).
geekIT

2485 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3808


  #2989567 29-Oct-2022 17:51
Send private message

Thanks to everyone who provided informative, non-pueral answers to my query.

 

Which got me thinking: When I pull up the Met Service map and it says 'Howling gales from the North', which north is being indicated?

 

 




Trump crowned? No faux King way!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

rscole86
5002 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 467

Moderator
Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #2989589 29-Oct-2022 20:06
Send private message

Based on this, I'd suggest True North.

https://airplaneacademy.com/are-winds-reported-in-true-or-magnetic-headings/


https://scientificsales.co.nz/blog/true-north-or-magnetic-north/

eracode
Smpl Mnmlst
9452 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6336

ID Verified
Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #2989591 29-Oct-2022 21:09
Send private message

floydbloke:

 

What do Tom Cruise and a compass have in common?😆

 

 

@floydbloke Can’t resist a bit more puerility (definitely not ‘peurality’). OK, I give up - what do Tom Cruise and a compass have in common?  




Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

eracode
Smpl Mnmlst
9452 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6336

ID Verified
Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #2989593 29-Oct-2022 21:34
Send private message

MadEngineer: Here is North, on google maps:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/GpEoans7m7beexRH6?g_st=ic

 


Close, but no cigar:

 


https://maps.app.goo.gl/YCqQ39ofEJkwqvn39?g_st=ic




Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

 1 | 2
Filter this topic showing only the reply marked as answer View this topic in a long page with up to 500 replies per page Create new topic








Geekzone Live »

Try automatic live updates from Geekzone directly in your browser, without refreshing the page, with Geekzone Live now.


Updates »

Are you subscribed to our RSS feed? You can download the latest headlines and summaries from our stories directly to your computer or smartphone by using a feed reader.








RSS feeds
Main feed
Forums feed
Copyright
©2002-2026 Geekzone®
Site features
Geekzone BI dashboard
Geekzone Badges
Geekzone Status Page

 

Site Information
Subscribe to Geekzone
Privacy Statement
Forum Usage Guidelines (FUG)
Advertising
Trademark and copyright