Customer Reviews

PNI Wayfinder Temperature and Compass System

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Pros:
1. Easy installation.
2. Accurate temperature readings when the sensor is placed at the right place.

Cons:
1. Back light is too dim. At night you have to get as close as one foot to see the digits.
2. The silver cover is too shiny. You can see its reflection in the windshield. It should be a dull color like the dashboard.
3. Expensive for what it does.
4. You would hope the thieves are smart enough not to think it is an expensive GPS unit.

Conclusion: This product is not worth buying. It has been on the market for at least two years, but you don't see the manufacturer making any improvement on things such as the back light. A Gentex auto-dimming mirror with compass and outside temperature has better value.

Update on 11-5-2006: One month after installation the outside temperature sensor went dead.

Update on 12-27-2006: Finally received replacement unit from the manufacturer. Customer Service was not very responsive.

My unit was really easy to install ... no wires just suction cups for the main unit and no tools required for the temperature unit. I drive mostly during the day so I like the unit, but those who do night driving cannot see the DIM LIGHT.
I had to remove unit in order to pass the VA state inspection.
In cold weather, the temp guage sometimes does not work.
Also, about the temp sensor ... If you place it too near the hot parts of the radiator it will not be accurate while driving in town or when stopped. Behind the front license tag is great ... I put an old license tag under the new one and drilled holes to hold the temp sensor. That method works great.
I really like the automatic calibration feature.

My original goal was a replacement rearview mirror with Compass and Temperature but installation would have been very complicated involving major disassembly of the vehicle. This unit performs as well, if not better and installation was a breeze! The compass actually reads out in degrees and appears to be very sensitive. The wireless remote temerature sensor was easy to install (many choices of location) and works perfectly. The new mirror that I was considering would have cost more than twice as much as this unit. I am very, very pleased.

The compass works very well, The wireless temperature works well and is very accurate. I also bought the inside sensor, by placing it in a spot that aviods direct sunlight you get a much more accurate inside temperature reading. I like the way the compass backlight automatically comes on when needed, when you plug it into a power port this is a nice feature. The only thing I would change is I would increase the font size of the temperature readings. All in all I think this is a very good product.

The first unit was installed as directed and when it was working it was fine. The problem was it would just stop working and this was most of the time. I exchaned several e-mails with customer service rep Pat. She was extremely nice and suggested I send it back for a replacement.

The second unit was installed as directed and worked flawlessly for a couple of months. It now works a bit better than the first one. Instead of stops working most of the time, this one stops working some of the time. I have decided to keep this one because of the bother and expense of shipping it back for a replacement. And who knows, the next unit may not work at all.

Not a good product for Amazon to be selling.

R Lockwood

In other reviews, you will see some downsides to this compass, like a weak backlight and small readout for temperature. It may depend upon your age. The temperature is just a little too far away for bifocals. But it's readable. The light is too weak. Installing the remote sensor was a snap, but it may depend upon the configuration of your auto grill. I took my license plate off and attached it to the grill behind. Simple. The people who had to go out to buy a Philips screwdriver probably should have one anyway. The best part about this electronic compass, besides the ease of setup (press a button and drive the car in a complete circle) is that there is an indicator that travels around the compase rose so you can tell exactly what direction you are headed. The large N, NW, W, etc., readout is the same as with many of these electronic compasses--it will stick on one direction until it gets close to the next, and then changes, so it isn't quite as accurate as a floating compass. But that constantly moving indicator that travels around the readout overcomes this if you want to be persnickety about the exact direction.

the compass works just fine. I was disappointed in the temperature dial. the back lighting is way to faint to see clearly in both day and night versions and the actual numbers are a bit small to read. the manufacturer would have done much better to put a better lighting system in the unit and to just make the temp numbers a little bit bigger. Other than that, it works fine so far.

PNI Wayfinder V2020 Wireless Full Spectrum Compass and Wireless Temperature System
I have been very happy with this unit until recently. I purchased the unit on 11/10/2006. It was an easy installation and the unit worked fine for several months. At approximately its 6th month in service, the battery went out on the compass unit...even though I was using auxillary power plugged directly into my vehicle. I replaced the battery and it again worked fine. In its 7th month, the temperature transmitter stopped working. I attempted to replace the battery in this transmitter and it would not respond. I attempted to contact PNI via pnicorp.com, but they showed no support for any Wayfinder products. I then tried to call their customer service number and found that the number was out of service. I guess I will continue to use the compass portion of the unit until it dies without the temp reading. However, this is too premature for this unit to fail and then find there is no customer support. I would not recommend buying this unit.

It took me approx 30 mins to set this up. It was easy to install the temp sensor in the grill under the license plate on my Toyota Sienna - I used the included plastic straps. I put the unit on my windsheild, plugged it in to my lighter, drove around in a circle (easy to follow instructions). It has worked flawlessly since. Accurate temp and compass readings. Backlight automatically goes on when it gets dark.
My only complaint is the size of the temp reading - it is hard to read from the drivers seat.
This unit is highly recommended.

Easy to install. Calibration also easy. Compass & Temp sensors are accurate. Backlighting is too dim for night viewing. All I can see is the large compass direction, i.e. (NW). The temp sensors have a slightly sluggish response to temp changes.