PURPOSE: To improve the economic efficiency of an azimuth instrument with a simple constitution by arranging a plurality of magnetoelectric transducing elements at the different specified angles with respect to the center, respectively, comparing the respective outputs, and specifying the maximum or minimum outputs.

CONSTITUTION: As magnetoelectric transducing elements, eight galvanomagnetic electromotive-force-effect elements S (S1-S8) are arranged in the radial pattern at angular intervals of 45°. Then, the respective output voltages of the elements S become the values, which are separated by 45° on the sine curve. Then, the element S having the maximum or minimum output voltage is specified. Thus, the azimuth of the azimuth detecting direction can be found in eight-azimuth indications. That is to say, the maximum output is obtained at the angle of π/2. Therefore, when, e.g. the maximum output is obtained from the element S1, the magnetic north is in the direction of the element S3, and the azimuth detecting direction is the west. In this case, the element S having the maximum or minimum output voltage can be specified by obtaining the output data of all elements S and comparing the data in a comparator.