compass suggestions?

climberjohn · Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 2:20 pm Post subject: compass suggestions?

Hi Volks,

I want to get a decent vehicle compass to mount up front, either dash, windshield, or maybe rearview mirror. A long time ago I bought a cheapo compass at the FLAPS and it was worthless. Cars have so much metal pulling at the magnetic bits of a compass that quality and good calibration are needed.

Does anyone have a compass they like? As always, photos, brand names and where to buy are appreciated. My web searches show few decent options.

Cheers,
CJ
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CessnaJon · Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 2:32 pm Post subject:

I installed a vertical card compass I got from an airplane on the side of the instrument panel. They are available at Aircraft Spruce-see website.It works great-keeps me from getting lost.
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bjrogers86auto · Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 3:31 pm Post subject: app

Hate to say it....I have an App for that.

I can't believe I said that.

Brian.
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Ahwahnee · Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 3:46 pm Post subject:

I use an old-style compass (Airfix?) to the right of the dash pod and have been able to calibrate pretty close.

Probably couldn't find, say, Bar Harbor ME in a heavy fog, but tells me generally which way I'm going.

If I need more accurate than that I'll power up the GPS.

climberjohn · Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 3:55 pm Post subject:

bjrogers86auto · Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 4:03 pm Post subject: compass

Smart phones are overrated.

What about a deck compass for a kayak? Some of them come with bungee chords you could hook it anywhere..

Not sure how they would work inside a van with the metal....like you mentioned.

Can anyone find Bar Harbour in the fog?

Brian.
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86 Vanagon GL Westfalia 2.1
18 Nissan Frontier Pro 4X
19 Honda Civic Hatchback

A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day. Calvin and Hobbes.

Timwhy · Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 4:05 pm Post subject: Re: compass

wcdennis · Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 4:12 pm Post subject:

ianstone · Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 4:18 pm Post subject:

here's what i have

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its made by RITCHIE
but i have no other model information, sorry. hope this helps!!!

r39o · Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 5:17 pm Post subject:

Get a surplus air craft compass or a marine one.

GPS tells you too.
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IdahoDoug · Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 5:59 pm Post subject:

Just a thought that the low end GPS units are now in the $75 range and a compass quality enough to handle the automotive environment may be that or more. I also tried this years ago and thought I'd found a setup but then noticed when I turned on the blower fan, or wipers, etc the compass heading would swing wildly. So consider a GPS, or possibly one of those mirrors with integrated compass if your mirror is getting cloudy with age, etc.

DougM
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ThorAlex · Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 6:39 pm Post subject:

Something like this: http://shop.packyourbags.com/acatalog/58_Star_Compass.html? It can be adjusted to compensate for magnetic fields and such.
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IdahoDoug · Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 8:44 pm Post subject:

Trouble is, the dash area has massively CHANGING magnetic fields. So it's a challenging environment for a compass though obviously if you only want a general direction such as at 2am trying to figure out which way to turn onto a dark highway after fueling up it's fine.

DougM
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

jackbombay · Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 8:54 pm Post subject: Re: app

speedtek · Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 10:06 pm Post subject: Re: app

bjrogers86auto · Posted: Tue May 24, 2011 3:23 am Post subject: compass

I don't have the speedo app...I'll check that out!

In all seriousness I have never had a need for an automotive compass. If I am somewhere I am not familiar with I have a map. I also have an automotive gps. My wife has made the comment on about 5 occasions that my map skills have plummeted since we bought that. I have to agree...for many reasons. Very Happy

In the woods with nothing but a map...a good compass is imperative. In a kayak it comes in handy as well. In the van...no direction sounds like a vacation.

Brian.
_________________
86 Vanagon GL Westfalia 2.1
18 Nissan Frontier Pro 4X
19 Honda Civic Hatchback

A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day. Calvin and Hobbes.

Timwhy · Posted: Tue May 24, 2011 3:47 am Post subject:

The PO had this one mounted in my Westy when I bought it, it now lives in the glove box.

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Volksaholic · Posted: Tue May 24, 2011 5:35 am Post subject: Re: app

presslab · Posted: Tue May 24, 2011 7:36 am Post subject: Re: compass suggestions?

j_dirge · Posted: Tue May 24, 2011 8:52 am Post subject:

I've spent a few days of my life staring at compasses... and I think that in this application you don't really need the accuracy of an aviation unit.. or even that of a higher-end marine compass. You are not looking at covering hundreds, even thousands of miles on one bearing.

No.. in a vehicle, your're probably looking for the closest 5 or 10 degrees heading over what might be a mile or two stretch relative to your over all heading.

I also agree that the steel Vanagon body would wreak havoc on most traditional compasses.

I use my handheld GPS for bearing.. and I carry a hand bearing compass.. Walk a good distance away from the vehicle to get a good bearing with it.

But while driving.. I would not be able to discern better than 10 deg accuracy, anyway. Variation in road, changing heading of the vehicle.

In summary.. don't spend much.. a simple hiking compass should suffice.
My experience heading out to the coast in Baja over pretty badly marked "roads" is to keep within 10-20 degrees of either side of your primary goal.
Laughing

In that case it worked just keeping the sun on the right side of the van.
Returning a few day slater at night.. wasn't quite as easy.. Used a dive compass and a flashlight.
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