<p>I haven't personally used the HiTechnic sensors, but the difference between a gyroscope and a compass is that one measures <strong>absolute orientation</strong> and the other measures <strong>change in orientation</strong>.</p>

<p>The compass measures absolute orientation via a magnetometer that measures the effect of the Earth's magnetic field on the sensor. The gyro sensor uses some form of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microelectromechanical_systems" rel="nofollow noreferrer">MEMS</a> to detect changes in orientation. The compass also only works in two dimensions, while the gyro likely operates in all three dimensions of orientation.</p>

<p>You might also be interested in <a href="https://electronics.stackexchange.com/a/36591/6359">this answer</a> from electronics.se which includes more detail than mine and also compares accelerometers to compasses and gyros.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-10-04T20:16:26.600Z
2015-10-05T23:26:47.010Z
2017-04-13T12:33:11.463Z
jncraton
<p>Does the HiTechnic compass perform the same function as the gyro sensor? I have been trying to find out the difference.</p>

<technic><3rd-party>
Difference between gyro sensor and compass sensor
Harmony
# Difference between gyro sensor and compass sensor

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-10-04)

Does the HiTechnic compass perform the same function as the gyro sensor? I have been trying to find out the difference.

**Tags:** technic, 3rd-party


---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2015-10-04. Score: 4

I haven't personally used the HiTechnic sensors, but the difference between a gyroscope and a compass is that one measures **absolute orientation** and the other measures **change in orientation**.

The compass measures absolute orientation via a magnetometer that measures the effect of the Earth's magnetic field on the sensor. The gyro sensor uses some form of [MEMS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microelectromechanical_systems) to detect changes in orientation. The compass also only works in two dimensions, while the gyro likely operates in all three dimensions of orientation.

You might also be interested in [this answer](https://electronics.stackexchange.com/a/36591/6359) from electronics.se which includes more detail than mine and also compares accelerometers to compasses and gyros.


---

