Definition
A gyrocompass exploits the gyroscopic properties of rigidity in space and precession, combined with a gravity-based control device, so that the spin axis settles along the meridian and indicates true north. Settling takes from tens of minutes to several hours after starting. It is unaffected by variation, deviation and local anomalies, but suffers speed, course and latitude errors requiring correction, and becomes unreliable at very high latitudes. It is standard on ships and rare on yachts because of cost and power draw.
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