PNI V1000 Vehicle Compass with Large Compass Rose Display
By: PNI, Corp Average Rating: 4.0 Total Reviews: 10
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 On: 2003-12-05
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.
by: Anonymous On: 2003-10-09
My previous car which was a Cherokee had one of these built in. After I changed to Camry, I can say that the digital compass was what I missed most. I have tried a few analog car compasses but they all look bad and its very hard to read them as they are very unstable. The PNI adjusts itself wrt the magnetic disturbances within the car without any hassles. I think it was the best $30 Ive spent on my car.
by: Anonymous On: 2003-08-02
I must correct one point in the last post. Actually the backlight is programmable, you can set it to light on for 30 s, 60 s or 90 s. Or you can set backlight always on. To do that, just push the light button for 2 second to change from mode to mode.Just think this might be a useful info. for buyers. I just find out this two weeks ago though I have used this compass for more than half a year. Keep in mind, it is always good to read through all of the manual:)
 On: 2003-04-12
Having a compass in my car is not something that I consider essential, but I do consider it useful.It was probably about 30 years ago that I first put a compass in my car. It was a "wet compass"--a simple design that worked reasonably well, but a wet compass has some quirks that can be annoying. Then about 20 years ago I found a compass at Radio Shack that used a new technology. It still had adjusting screws like the old wet compasses, but it had a more sophisticated way of sensing the earths magnetic field, and the display was much more stable. I used that compass in a couple of different cars, and it never failed me. When I got a new car in the summer of 2002, I sold my old one; that compass, which was still working, went with it. I went a few months without a compass, but in the interim I did some research on what was available within a reasonable price range. Finally, in January, 2003 I purchased this compass, but I didnt install it until mid-March. All in all, I like it. It is very accurate (not perfect, but Ive never seen a car compass that is). The technology and accuracy are a step up from my previous compass. Set up was reasonably easy; you just have to follow the instructions. Its nice not to have to fiddle with adjusting screws, although one does feel just a wee bit silly steering circles in an empty parking lot. There are some changes that Id like to see in the design of this compass: 1. The suction cup mounting system is useless. I would never trust an instrument like this to suction cups. I removed the suction cups and used some Superlock Fasteners that I bought at Radio Shack. This works great so far. 2. I wish that the display light would use a tiny high intensity LED; these draw a lot less current and could be left on all the time, so you wouldnt have to reach for the light button at night. 3. I would like to see some options as to how the compass heading is displayed. Some people like North always at the top with the compass pointer rotating, but I like to see the compass pointer stationary with the compass rose rotating around it. It would be nice to be able to select between these two options. Since this compass has been in my car less than a month, I can only say "so far, so good". I hope that Ill be able to say that for years to come.
by: Anonymous On: 2002-11-01
I bought this digital compass on amazon marketplace for $...,quite a good deal off the $... MSRP. Installtion and adjustment is easy, just follow the manual. The great thing is the compass has a big size LCD screen clearly display the direction and there is no settling time like a traditional compass when you move. Display is almost instanouesly. Backlit is not so bright but definitely good at night. These is a trip timer function also, not so useful for me. The trick for installtion is that the compass should be stand verticle, for it was designed to work in that position. If it is let down it will not display the correct direction. I guess that is the cause why some people got problem to use this compass.
On: 2002-03-17
It was working ok(not to the level I liked) but all of sudden it stopped working 2 months after I purchased it.
 On: 2002-01-27
I bought this as a Christmas gift for my wife, and she was very excited about it. But we could never get it to work well in the car (a 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue, nothing exotic). It was worse than just giving inaccurate readings. If the car were turned around exactly 180deg, the compass would not even show a 180deg turn: If it said 90deg, for instance, and we turned around exactly the other way, it might say 255deg (not 270)! This is unacceptable, and is not even systematic (and therefore compensable) error. It showed the same ill behavior out of the car when calibrated & used by hand. I put in fresh batteries just for kicks (although the power cord should have taken care of this). Behold, by hand the compass now worked reasonably well. Back in the car, however, it was consistently off by about 45deg (well, that is at least systematic error, an improvement of sorts).
At this point I contacted the company by e-mail. The company rep said that I might have to move it a few inches to avoid some "interference" from the car (I thought this was a vehicle compass!?) (and shouldnt this be covered in the installation manual?). I did this, and the only place I could get it to work is in the middle of the windshield right in front of the drivers face. Unfortunately this is dangerous, and illegal in our state.
Clearly, others have a good experience with this product, and you should take this all into account. As for me, Ive given up and Ill just try to get my money back. Someone please let me know when a product comes out that really works, OK?
... Update: As it turns out, after more testing my wife has declared it acceptable, so were keeping it after all. Ive placed it up around the drivers visor, and it seems accurate enough going north & east, but may be about 5-10 deg off going west -- well, we wont be making any maps with this! Also, the manufacturer agreed to take the unit back for a full refund if we wished, so I have to credit them for good service. So Ive upgraded this to acceptable, and hope other buyers will have a good experience.
On: 2002-01-25
With my knowledge limited to the Specifications and Technical
Data that I have been able to read so far, I am of the opinion
that the PNI V1000 is capable of,and probably does hold its
own in its field.
I am contemplating purchasing this very model,will let you
know shortly.
by: Anonymous On: 2001-02-10
I have taken the V1000 with me in either my briefcase or carryon to Paris, Germany, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Omaha, Denver and N.Carolina on business trips. It worked so well that I brought it along and put it in our rental car during our recent vacation to the greater Orlando area. Works absolutely great. Ive always been able to navigate quite well using a map, but having the compass attached to the windshield makes things so much easier. I wouldnt dream of taking a B-trip without it anymore. The three requirements that I had when looking for a compass was accuracy, reliability and portability. The Co-Pilot has met all three of these requirements perfectly.
by: Anonymous On: 2001-01-11
I received one of these compasses for Xmas & installed it on my car over the holidays. Besides the ability to point me in the right direction it has improved my kids sense of geography tremendously. They watch every swing of the needle & line up landmarks when we are travelling. It has really got them interested in maps & geography & improved their social studies at school.
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