Betaflight Magnetometer/Compass Setup, by UAV Tech on YouTube. 19 min 30 s.
- Video length
- 19 min 30 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Open Betaflight Configurator and connect your quad. Go to the Configuration tab and confirm the magnetometer is detected in the Sensors list.
Work out the physical orientation of the compass chip on your build. Note which way its arrow or pin 1 points relative to the quad's nose.
Look up your local magnetic declination for your location and date. Write the number and whether it is east or west.
If you are unsure of the chip orientation, open the INAV Configurator alignment tool and use it to find the matching rotation value.
In Betaflight, enter your declination in the magnetometer settings. Use a negative value for west declination and a positive value for east.
Set the magnetometer orientation in Betaflight to the alignment that matches your chip, using the rotation options in the Configuration tab.
Save and reboot. Then run the magnetometer calibration and rotate the quad slowly through all axes until the calibration completes.
Check the compass heading in the setup tab. Point the quad north and confirm the heading reads close to zero, then test the other directions.
Mount the magnetometer as far as possible from motors, ESCs and battery cables to reduce magnetic interference.
Tips and common mistakes
Calibrate the compass away from metal objects, speakers and power lines, or the heading will drift.
If the heading is off by a fixed amount, recheck the orientation value before changing declination.
Keep the compass away from high-current wires, since motor and battery current creates magnetic fields that spoil readings.
Questions
What is magnetic declination and why do I need it?
Declination is the angle between magnetic north and true north at your location. Entering it makes the compass heading match map north.
How do I know which orientation value to pick?
Compare the chip's arrow or pin 1 with the quad's nose. The INAV alignment tool can help you find the matching rotation if you are unsure.
Do I need a GPS for the compass to work?
No, the magnetometer works on its own, but most pilots use it with GPS so the quad can hold a heading and return home.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
