Customer Reviews

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

 

 

I've had two of these devices in my car. Both broke within a few months. While they were working, however, they worked quite well; but the quality control (or the internal circuit design itself) needs improvement in order to increase their reliability.

I had difficulty calibrating this in my car: it took three tries (i.e., six circles of a parking lot). It is mounted slightly above the dashboard in the center of the window. I have compared its reading with a GPS receiver in the car. Sometimes it is pretty accurate, but other times it shows "distortion" warning when remote from any possible sources of interference. Sometimes, but not always, driving down a perfectly straight road the compass heading will vary as much as 60 degrees, then jump back to the correct course. Other times it will be consistently 15 to 30 degrees either left or right of the true course. Maybe it is problem with my car, but if so, then this device is not really suitable for cars.

To be honest, based on my experience, I wouldn't waste your money. I have never got the unit to work properly. On top of which, it was very difficult to even get the unit open to install the batteries. Look elsewhere.

I agree that its tough to calibrate... Took me about a month to get it right... when it worked it worked fine. then after 2 months, it just went blank... nada... nothing on the screen.

I searched for a reliable compass for several years and tried a few ones (none of them is robust or accurate enough) before getting this one one year ago. It has survived Michigan's very cold winter and Southern CA sunny days while keeping it in my SUV all the time (those are harsh conditions for LCD display). The batteries have lasted at least one year although I don't turn on it most time. Highly recommend for its Robustness and Accuracy.

My personal experience only, your milage may vary.

I had this unit for three months before it stopped working. It worked well until then, now it just gives out incorrect readings and sometimes error messages.

I liked using it, otherwise. Having a vehicle compass is really nice in a car; it helps out a lot in a new area just to get oriented.

I tried to calibrate it several times, but it never did have a north on it. Not sure if I was doing it wrong, or product was defective. Mounts easily to glass only, and seemed to hold pretty well with the suction cups.

This is just what I have been looking for! I travel quite a bit and to many mid sized towns across the US so getting my bearing is normally not a problem. However, last year I found myself traveling to Bismarck, SD in the middle of a massive snowstorm. I can remember thinking to myself that I will never do this again without a compass. Roads, fields, buildings all completely swirling white.

Well not only is this the perfect compass for my purposes it comes with an alarm clock! Bonus! It also works as a handheld compass although I have never used it that way yet. But, if I ever have to pack it out of a massive blizzard in SD at least I could get started in the right direction.

My assessment it that this is a very cool and useful tool if you've got the dough.

I've tried a number of automobile compasses but they invariably were affected by my vehicle's and environmental factors. Then I purchased the PNI V600 and was in Columbus heaven. Both the car and hand-held appeared to function within a very reasonable level of accuracy. I mounted it a little below my driving line-of-sight which was great.
Then after about 6 months, the suction cups gave out at inconsistent intervals. So after each mishap, I'd do my circles,set the buttons and explain to our local law enformance why I was driving in circles. The recalibration usually worked on the first merry-go-round about 4 of 5 times. My most recent attempts were unsuccessful so I'm trying to schedule a fourth try.
Nice tool but I feel like a fool-ish gadget lover always headed in the wrong direction.

I am so pleased with the way this works! I like it. I really like it & it works great!