Looking for a decent Digital compass
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Novice
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 23
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From:
Looking for a decent Digital compass
Has anyone found a reliable SMALL digital compass that can be fitted to a fairing? After reading all the hate mail concerning the HD 2 inch replacement, I think I'll pass. Would like to know which direction I'm riding once in a while though. I'm not to whacked about the GPS version as I know I will forget to remove it when I shoulkd. Parking lots, rain, etc. Looking for a smallere stick oln type either 12V or Button Battery powered. BB
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,184
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From: The Peoples Republic of Massachusstts
Just spend the money and get a good motorcycle friendly GPS. I have a Garmen 550. Absolutly water proof. and I leave it on every where I go with in reason. Has the compass screen, fuel guage, maps and hotel etc. Even a lock.
Last edited by The Old Man; Feb 4, 2010 at 07:22 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 444
Likes: 1
An instrument manufacturer I talked to at a swap meet told me that there isn't anywhere to mount a compass on a touring bike far enough away from the speakers to avoid magnetic interferance. I assume GPS works by sensing your heading, rather than magnetically?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 372
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
Marine compasses are calibrated after installation to compensate for the metals and electronics near by. The magnets in the speakers may be too much for the calibration.
BTW: I've never seen a digital compass that worked well. A conventional compass wouldn't require electricity unless you wanted it lighted.
I carry a hand held compass in my bags. If I need to know direction I pull over and use it.
BTW: I've never seen a digital compass that worked well. A conventional compass wouldn't require electricity unless you wanted it lighted.
I carry a hand held compass in my bags. If I need to know direction I pull over and use it.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 968
Likes: 11
From: Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
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Joined: Jan 2010
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Just search Google (or whatever search engine) for digital car compass or just Compass and you will find many. I have a plastic digital compass that shows barometric pressure, altitude (based off the barometer), direction by arrow and compass points etc. I have found it accurate and reliable, only needing recalibration if you let the battery get too low or it looses power from the cord.
On my bike I have a liquid filled car compass that works well enough for something about 25 years old that I picked off my garage shelf after almost getting lost in the rain one day in the country (easier to happen than you might think, OK, you can laugh, but it might happen to you someday!)
A liquid compass jumps around a lot but is good enough to give the info you need.
For a great compass, search for airplane compass's. I have seen a few that would be way cool on a bike.
the cheap compass's are about $15-30. A LOT less than a GPS if direction is all you need.
On my bike I have a liquid filled car compass that works well enough for something about 25 years old that I picked off my garage shelf after almost getting lost in the rain one day in the country (easier to happen than you might think, OK, you can laugh, but it might happen to you someday!)
A liquid compass jumps around a lot but is good enough to give the info you need.
For a great compass, search for airplane compass's. I have seen a few that would be way cool on a bike.
the cheap compass's are about $15-30. A LOT less than a GPS if direction is all you need.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 7
From: Hoffman Estates, IL
I've always wondered if one of these Ritchie's would do the trick...
http://www.ritchienavigation.com/cat...D-ADB27A2456B9
http://www.ritchienavigation.com/cat...D-ADB27A2456B9
