Customer Reviews

Compass, Digital, Multifunction (Direction, Temperature, Date, Time), Travel Alarm

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(0)
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2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

WHAT I DID NOT LIKE:
* It won't switch between magnetic and true headings, and neither the unit nor its meager info sheet mentions which it's displaying. I had hoped for a GPS receiver that would detect and compensate for magnetic declination wherever I am and show true north.

* It's huge, and heavier than I expected. It barely squeezes into a shirt pocket.

WHAT YOU MIGHT LIKE:

* It comes with batteries (3 x AAA) installed. To change batteries one has to remove a compartment door and then four tiny screws. So it probably is pretty moisture-resistant.

* Reviewers complained about another digital compass because there was no way to turn it off. That's no problem with this one: it has two on/off switches: (1) a big button on the front turns off just the compass, leaving the date/day/time/temperature display on; and (2) a tiny recessed switch on the back that turns off all displays --but this also stops the clock.

* It stays backlit for about four seconds if you hit the "light" button.

* It displays both a simulated analog dial and a numeric heading, but both are jittery and don't move smoothly with the unit's heading. So it acts like a cheap pocket compass.

* The time is displayed in 12- or 24-hour format, temperature in F or C, as you wish.

* It comes with a lanyard, so you could probably clock a grizzly bear with it. :-)

* I bought it from Scientifics Online (via Amazon), and they were great about the return! No complaints about them!

I just noticed that Amazon has reclassified this as a toy. All told, I see no advantage of this over my inexpensive liquid-filled scuba compass, which is unquestionably waterproof and predictably points to magnetic north.