Customer Reviews

Wayfinder V700 Digital Vehicle/Handheld Compass

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I purchased this compass after reading mixed reviews of other PNI compass products. I liked this compass because it could easily be removed from the car (I have a convertible).

Thus far (1 month later), I'm happy with the purchase. The compass is very easy to set (drive once in a circle, or turn the compass in a circle for the second, "hand" mode), easy to remove from the car (just lift it out of its cradle), and seems to be accurate (an issue raised in reviews for other PNI compasses); the three forms of readouts also are handly and easy to read. I would have liked the batteries (2 AAA batteries) to last longer, but at 200 hours, that's still half a year at 1 hour a day. (And the unit also comes with a lighter adapter cord, which is of a good and useful length.) And a soft case would be nice, for separately carrying the compass.

Assuming that performance issues don't develop in the future, I'd highly recommend this item.

QUOTE FROM:
Product Description
Amazon.com Product Description

The V700's patented magnetic-sensor technology is the same advanced technology used by GM, Ford, and Chrysler in their built-in compasses. A magnetic-distortion flag alerts you when outside interference is affecting accuracy, and the unit's smart auto shut-off feature conserves battery life by automatically powering down the compass when your vehicle is parked for ten minutes or more.
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This I highly dought about using the same technology -
For one - using it with auto adaptor - leaving it plugged in - and You previously set it up prior the day before - Start the vehicle - and the compass goes retarded pointing more than the opposite way.

I received it Feb / 05 - I almost returned it a week later - from constantly having to find a full circle space to rotate vehicle to reset it everyday - But I hung in there trying to figure out this problem - as a retired aircraft service tech - you tend to get fussy how things work from day one

With the unit mounted on center of windshield - with vehicle off - and unit on - I try testing compass for interference - as quoted in top paragraph about a distortion flag - there has never been a flag -

Unit on - vehicle off - I turn the key to on position - already the unit flips out of it's set coordinates - turn key off - unit returns to setting - Apparently - magnetic impulse of vehicle system energizing is enough to throw it off - I'm not starting the veh - just turning key to power up the dash - as starting sequence would be much more of a pulse. Turning on the turn signal - brake lights - etc - could also create a pulsed magnetic field.

Remove unit from center of windshield - There may be a better spot that's more shielded.
In the end - I found the ideal spot mounted on the windshield next to driver's door pillar - So far I have not had to reset it more than twice - and it's a nicer spot for viewing as well.

In order to make this position possible - I went to local Best Buy to get an adaptor that has small profile plug to cig lighter where cord comes out at right angle keeping cords close to console - the other end has 4 ports and was easy to place on lower face of dash next to drivers door to make vertical approach straight up to the compass and anything else up there.

It's the sticky Velcro deal - and may have to update to be more permanent.

Also the cell phone has a new port now - VS the clutter in center of dash.

For general use - I find it handy when out at night and knowing I'm going the right way after making unknown exits from the freeway - or just knowing I'm on the south side of the Mall at night.

In no way is it as accurate as the GPS - Which I also use.
Checking compared positions can be up to 20 - 30 degrees off and can be effected by any interference The balloon of magnetic fields coming from Your vehicle could be isolated to a point but would involve thin sheet film of metal embedded into a dash pad.

If you want to know just how its performing - get a handy pocket compass - stand ten feet away from vehicle and compare position to the unit in vehicle. Do not park or set up compass near power lines.

Making sure it's latched into it's holder is a must - The edges of mount have to be forced into groove of compass - this took me a couple days to notice - when it kept falling out.

I purchased 2 of them - One as a Gift to an older gal in a wheel chair - and I wanted to be very informed as to what problems she may see before I ship it 2000 miles to her door.

Have Fun

I really like this compass, it's true the display does not wash out. It's very portable. Very nice backlight for use at night.

What I don't like, is the automatic shut down of the back light.
When running without 12 volt adapter plug in the back lighting turns off after 20-30 secs. I'd rather it stayed on until I turned it off.

another bad feature is the automatic shut down when the compass doesn't detect any changes...Several times now while going down a straight highway it's decided to shut down as I haven't changed directions.

Each time you have to reach up and turn it back on.

I don't have any extra lighter sockets in the vehicles I drive, so I changed the 12 cord and bought a rechargable 9 volt battery, now the backlighting stays on, and I don't loose my 12 volt lighter socket.. so I'm pretty happy.

I still have an issue with the auto shut down, you get out of your vehicle for a minute or go down a long straght road and it turns itself off...too bad it doesn't turn itself back on.

I live in a midwestern city and cardinal directions are important for driving, so I use this compass intermittently when I am getting lost. It works very well and is easy to configure - one drive in a circle and it is set up. It has an auto-off function that keeps you from running down the batteries. I have not had a problem with the AA batteries running out too quickly but I also do not use the compass every day, only occasionally. It has a well designed suction-cup mounted cradle that is easy to position. The high contrast display is easy to read, even in bright light.

Initially I was pretty happy with it. It gave me just what I wanted: the compass heading and the 8 point rose to indicate direction. Easy to install in the car, although, without a case or something, you can't prevent to switch on in your pocket, making it useless as a handheld.
Oddly enough, during summer time and heat, it somehow freaked out and now the arrow points to the opposite East/West direction from the heading: for example, if I head NW, the heading it accurate but the arrow points to the NE.
Need to find something else!!

The compass works just as advertised installed in the car. However it has a engineering flaw when used as a horizontal hand held compass. The written direction is fine but the perimeter arrow is not accurate in any position other than North. For example, if you are going Northwest (NW) the perimeter arrow is pointing Northeast. I don't care because I will only use it in the car.

This was the second of three different PNI compass models I have bought through Amazon, and I would not recommend any of them. If they worked right, I would love them. But all three of them will not stay on. It says they will stay on unless no change in the magnetic direction is for ten minutes. This simply is not true as all three of mine that I have bought shut off all the time, even if I just drive around the block all day.

I was looking for a compass for my car and I am glad I found this one. Perfect size and easy to use. Fits great with the three suction cups right on the dash (doesn't fall off). Within easy reach and seems very accurate. Great addition for someone who is Directionally Challenged. Definitely would recommend.

On my 10th birthday my father taught me how to use a compass. We spent 2-days in Yosemite with a map and 2 old military style compasses (the kind with the flip up site).

Well my 40th birthday was Jan 15th and I now have a 10 year old. Guess what my dad gave me? Yep a V700. There is really nothing to it. Set it up once for your car and once for the trail and forget about it. My Toyota truck does not have a built-in compass so my son and I are enjoying getting reacquainted with our surroundings, this time assigning cardinal points to landmarks.

I must confess that I have graduated to a GPS for my outdoor activities but knowledge of a compass is important to both 10 year olds and 40 year olds.

This little device works great. It's easy to install and the calibration process was quick and easy. I've only been using it for about a week now but it has been very accurate so far. It's definitely worth $40 bucks and it's perfect for directionaly challenged people like me!