Steadycast Calibration Issue

[Pipercub]

Installed a Garmin Steadycast a few weeks ago but I'm having a problem with it staying calibrated. The calibration is quick and easy but every time I shut down power I have to re-calibrate. It will be off by about 20 degrees and the boat icon moves in a slightly sideways orientation on the screen. Once I stop and re-calibrate, it works great until I shut down power again.

I guess it's not a show stopper but it's very aggravating to have to ride around in circles every time I put the boat in the water....lol

Any ideas?


Thanks,
Randy

[LWINCHESTER2]

Most likely you have some magnetic interference with the install location. Find a handheld compass and check the location to see if the compass has any deflection. The only time I thought mine was messed up a screwdriver had ended up next to it. I didn't have to re-calibrate it. I just moved the screwdriver.

If you are certain of nothing is interfering with it, you need to call tech support. Mine has never needed recalibrating.

[Skunked again]

[Astrochris]

I'm having the same issue with the calibration, even in dead calm waters when calibrating the compass, I can't better than a 55 or so. I have checked an rechecked for magnetic interference near the Steadycast and no interference.
This is happening since the last update.
Any ideas??

[Pipercub]

I'm having the same issue with the calibration, even in dead calm waters when calibrating the compass, I can't better than a 55 or so. I have checked an rechecked for magnetic interference near the Steadycast and no interference.
This is happening since the last update.
Any ideas??

After you calibrate yours does it work ok? Is your boat icon skewed to one side when going straight?

Once I re-calibrate mine it works great until I shut down power and then it's out of whack again. If it was magnetic interference I don't think calibrating would help.

[Todd Driscoll]

After you calibrate yours does it work ok? Is your boat icon skewed to one side when going straight?

Once I re-calibrate mine it works great until I shut down power and then it's out of whack again. If it was magnetic interference I don't think calibrating would help.

What software version is loaded into your SteadyCast, and please describe your system (MFDs, any other N2K devices, ethernet-linking, etc.)?

[Pipercub]

What software version is loaded into your SteadyCast, and please describe your system (MFDs, any other N2K devices, ethernet-linking, etc.)?

My setup:

Echomap 93sv Plus at Bow and Console - Linked via ethernet - Software 7.00
Echomap 93sv Chirp at Console - Software 4.30
Garmin 19x - Software 2.60
Steadycast - Software 2.10
Everything is linked via NMEA 2000

Spent all morning on the water trying to figure out what is going on. When I calibrate the compass the best I can get is Q57. Then I do the Heading Alignment and everything works great for a short time and then it seems to lose the heading. It will be off by about 20 degrees. Everytime I stopped to fish it would mess up or if I just ran across the lake for any length of time it would also mess up.
The boat icon will be skewed to the left when going straight. One time the icon was completely sideways while going straight.

Bottom line, I can get everything calibrated and aligned and it works great.....it just won't stay calibrated and aligned for very long. Right now the Steadycast is mounted on the front deck in front of the Console. I'm going to move it to the other side of the boat in the rod locker and see what happens. I don't think it's going to help though because I've checked for interference where it's mounted and get none.

If moving the Steadycast don't work I'm pretty much out of ideas. I'm starting the think I may just have a defective Steadycast.

[Astrochris]

After you calibrate yours does it work ok? Is your boat icon skewed to one side when going straight?

Once I re-calibrate mine it works great until I shut down power and then it's out of whack again. If it was magnetic interference I don't think calibrating would help.

Like I mentioned above I have a hard time getting a good calibration,, somewhere above 80. After I calibrate it’s good for about 15 minutes then my heading line and my COG line ( course over ground) don’t lineup as I’m going straight at wot, and they should lineup.
I also tried the fine heading adjustment to no avail. That last update definitely put a bug in the system and I’m hoping they get it fixed quick.

[Todd Driscoll]

I'm having the same issue with the calibration, even in dead calm waters when calibrating the compass, I can't better than a 55 or so. I have checked an rechecked for magnetic interference near the Steadycast and no interference.
This is happening since the last update.
Any ideas??

Were you able to get a calibration better than 55 in the same mounting location with older software?

[Astrochris]

Todd,
Yes,
got a 93 first time I calibrated in calm waters. Now can't get better than a 55 or so in calm waters.
Same mounting location as previous calibration. The problem arose as soon as I updated to the latest software.
My system includes: GPSMAP1042, Echomap95SV, GPSMAP536, All on Garmin NMEA2000 starter kit.
Everything was working fine before latest update.
Thank you.
C//

[Binder]

I have the exact same problem with it staying calibrated.

[fishin couillon]

Has anyone called Garmin to see what they say???

[Tx2va07]

Interesting. I’m wondering if it’s an update issue also. I just recently upgraded to 93sv Plus units from my 93sv Chirp units. I never once had a problem with my Steadycast needing recalibration with the old units. After installing the new units, and performing updates, I’ve noticed my Steadycast will not stay calibrated either. The heading line may stay true for 10 minutes and then it will be off again. Frustrating to say the least.

[Todd Driscoll]

Interesting. I’m wondering if it’s an update issue also. I just recently upgraded to 93sv Plus units from my 93sv Chirp units. I never once had a problem with my Steadycast needing recalibration with the old units. After installing the new units, and performing updates, I’ve noticed my Steadycast will not stay calibrated either. The heading line may stay true for 10 minutes and then it will be off again. Frustrating to say the least.

What software version is loaded in your SteadyCast?

[Tx2va07]

No updates from anyone on this?

[Todd Driscoll]

For those having these SteadyCast issues, please go to:
Settings > Communications > NMEA 2000 Setup > Device List > SteadyCast > Review

Go to the second page in the review pages and respond with what the “Calibration Status” reports. If calibration is saved, it should say:
Calibration Status: Compass Calibration: Done Heading Alignment: Done

Otherwise, it says “Not Done”.

Also, are you getting a message every time your unit boots indicating the need to recalibrate or are you just noticing poor performance?

[Astrochris]

For those having these SteadyCast issues, please go to:
Settings > Communications > NMEA 2000 Setup > Device List > SteadyCast > Review

Go to the second page in the review pages and respond with what the “Calibration Status” reports. If calibration is saved, it should say:
Calibration Status: Compass Calibration: Done Heading Alignment: Done

Otherwise, it says “Not Done”.

Also, are you getting a message every time your unit boots indicating the need to recalibrate or are you just noticing poor performance?

Both calibrations are done on mine. I am noticing poor performance.

[RPM2]

Todd,
I have an Echompa Chirp 94SV and a Echomap Chirp 73CV. I have the same issue. My unit says the calibration is complete and does not indicate the calibration needs to be recalibrated each time the unit starts. After being powered down and back on the heading line will be off from original calibration.
Latest software on units and 2.10 on steadycast. Recently updated from 2.00 to 2.10 on steadycast with no change.

[Todd Driscoll]

Todd,
I have an Echompa Chirp 94SV and a Echomap Chirp 73CV. I have the same issue. My unit says the calibration is complete and does not indicate the calibration needs to be recalibrated each time the unit starts. After being powered down and back on the heading line will be off from original calibration.
Latest software on units and 2.10 on steadycast. Recently updated from 2.00 to 2.10 on steadycast with no change.

I sent you a PM asking for contact info.

[Tx2va07]

Todd, sorry I’m out of town for work now for the next month. So I have no way to get more data on this.

I just performed the most recent update to it last week whenever I got my Plus units. I believe it was software version 2.1?

I have mine connected on a NMEA network that only contains the Steady Cast and two 93sv Plus units.

I can say say that when it would auto calibrate with the new unit, I could not get anything higher than a 50 for calibration status. It would show my boat tracking straight for a bit, then I could stop and fish a spot for a while, and when I would take back off my boat would be heading at least 20+ degrees off. This was never a problem for me until I installed my new Plus units and did the auto calibrate after installing the latest software update.