Compass comes up with RECO, what does this mean?

I believe the RECO refers to the NIST time signal that the watch receives at about 2-3am to reset the time. If you're not in North America then you can somehow set the NIST signal to another signal in JAPAN or GERMANY although those signal may be WRONG as those signals are based on sand-filled hour-glass bottles in those countries.

Sounds like there is a magnetic field interfering with your compass. Something close to the compass is deflecting the needle, so look for the source close to the compass location.

Hi john30x,

You have to calibrate the compass.
1. Press the upper right button (switching to compass mode)
2. Press and hold upper left button. The "CALL" will appear on the display. You are in compass calibrating mode.
3. Rotate the watch horizontally (around his vertical axis) slowly, so to be sure that he point the North at least 2 times.
4. Now press the upper left button again to input the declination (this is the angle between the magnetic and real pole). It is different for the area around the world, that you want to explore.
5. Switch between the positions of the cipher by pressing bottom left.
6. Change the cipher by pressing bottom right.
7. Switch between the active position by pressing bottom left. Now you have to enter East or West declination
8. If you are ready press the upper left. "END" of calibration will appear on the screen

Once you calibrate and set the declination you can use the the compass by pressing upper right button. As the compass is very sensitive It is good idea to calibrate it on a field, far away of metal objects and electromagnetic fields (cables, ect.). You need to calibrate the compass each time you want to use it by different surrounding.

Remember the compass function of your watch need much more energy than the watch itself. Don`t worry to change the battery when dead. The water resistance remains good even after. Very robust and accurate device. I hope that should help.

Hello i Managed to find a PDF Manual for your Timex T3B881. To view you must have Adobe reader installed this can be downloaded from here. The Manual can be downloaded from here.

compass calibration starts on page 8 and compass operation starts on page 12

I am looking for stem and crown for Timex Expedition North Tide Temp Compass watch. Mine broken.

It may help if you check my tips and tricks. Find CASIO manuals/instructions there and see if it works.

http://www.timex.com/info/Product_Instruction_Guides_Downloads

Use the numbers on the back of your watch and you will have a PDF version of your instruction manual.

Hope this tip helps
R/
David

Mine does the same!

I had the same issue. I found that if you re-calibrate the compass the same way you did the first time, then it will act properly. I've had to do this a couple of times and it works.

if your hands aren't straight when you use the compass try this to sync the hands.

1. Press and hold the middle button to enter T-Touch mode.
2. Press the centre area on the face twice to display 24hr/12hr
3. Press and hold the middle button to enter T-Touch mode untill screen says sync.The hands will face 1200.
4. Press either the upper (East) or lower (West) button to adjust the compass hands. They should both face 1200.
5. Press the middle button to get back to 'regular' compass mode. Note that your offset setting will still show in the digital area.