PNI Wayfinder V7000 Deluxe Car Compass System
By: PNI Average Rating: 3.0 Total Reviews: 25
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 On: 2008-06-22
All in a small package. The outside temperature is amazingly accurate, and when adjusted properly, the magnetic heading is within a few degrees. The altimeter function is always accurate to within a few hundred feet. While towing a trailer, it helps to know if you are climbing or descending. Hard to drive without it. I have two, one in each of my trucks.
 On: 2008-01-18
This item is not worth the money spent. I was looking to replace a manufacturer installed compass when I got a new vehicle-I found the directions difficult and the unit way too sensitive to temperature changes-also the suction cup mount was constantly coming off, requiring recalibration. I dont know about most people, but I cant be bothered removing the unit each time the temperature fluctuates above or below the specs. Save yourself the aggravation and pay considerably more for a GPS! (Which is what I currently use.)
On: 2007-07-19
MY husband is very satisfied with this item 100% recommended,Trusted Seller very prompt on communication and fast shipping! Seller and Item Is Excellent.
 On: 2007-01-15
Easy to read, easy to use, but I would suggest a couple of improvements: First and foremost, I would like to be able to determine my altitude by entering the sea-level pressure (you can calculate your approximate altitude by comparing the pressure where you are (absolute pressure) with the sea-level pressure). Second, I would have a 24-hour memory. If you had not yet left home at 12:15, you know your house is at 635 feet, and the altimeter says 850 feet at 12:15, you know its reading 215 feet too high, so you adjust it to compensate for that. On the plus side, if you set it manually to 635 feet, it will remember that, and you can press one button to reset it to 635 any time, such as when you leave for work in the morning . The other thing I would change is I would like it to be easier to attach it to the windshield mounting bracket (it always takes me several tries to get it to stay in place). In spite of needing a couple of improvements, though, I still like it a lot.
On: 2007-01-09
Our Isuzu Trooper is not factory equipped with a factory installed compass/external temperature. My husband was impressed with the ease of installation and calibration of the Wayfinder. We enjoy skiing in the winter and camping in the summer. The temperature is accurate within a couple of degrees and the altimeter also is quite reliable. You wont be disappointed.
On: 2007-01-04
This might be a great gadget. My husband wanted a compass for the car. I found this digital one with a lot of added things to it but you have a wire hanging down to your ac adaptor in your car and its hard to find a place to put it. It has plungers to attach to the window. Hard to find a place where it wont block your view. If you want the outside temp you have to use the plunger on the window. But if you have to put it where you can reach the buttons to use it. It also has a wire that somehow goes out of your car and under the hood somewhere to tell you the outside temperature. It was too much trouble. So well return it. Nice idea though. There are some on the market that use batteries. Thats probably a better way to go.
On: 2006-11-20
The face of the Wayfinder is large enough that you can easily view it. The feature that we like the best is the altitude reading. It was interesting to compare the altitude reading on the Wayfinder to actual locations as we traveled.
On: 2006-08-23
The PNI Wayfinder helps me drive safely by showing me the direction I am traveling on the compass-so I make fewer direction errors. The temperature gauge is helpful when the weather turns cold by alerting me to the possibility of ice conditions-helpful in the Pacific Northwest winters.
 On: 2006-07-21
After reading the reviews, I decided to take the chance and purchase the above unit for my car. Unfortunately, after calibration and adjustment for local declination, the compass was off 45-60 degrees when compared to known reference points. Recalibration did not change the accuracy. Since then, I purchased a traditional spirit compass which after installing and compensating in the same vehicle performs accurately.
On: 2006-07-15
Initially I was skeptical about purchasing the device solely due to the reviews of other purchasers. About half were of a negative tone. But, I realized nearly all the negative reviews were of a nature dealing with the technical workings (i.e. calibration, etc.) of the compass and were probably from those who cant program their VCRs. I made the purchase and found the installation to be straightforward; you can make it as easy or difficult as you want. Calibration is simple and quick. I found the compass, thermometer and baraometer/altimeter to be very accurate or as accurate as one could expect. The backlight is sufficient and the light sensor that turns the backlight on automatically in the dark is a very nice feature. Living here in central Virginia our summers are hot and humid so I observe the manufactures suggestion to remove the compass from the vehicle when not in use. Its easy to remember since my cellphone is parked near the compass. One negative point. Calibration is necessary if the device is disconnected/removed from the mounting point. Since I remove it religously each day I am calibrating at least once a day. As a result, the graphic text is starting wear and fade away from the function buttons. All in all, I am very pleased with my Wayfinder V7000.
On: 2006-03-09
I didnt find this compass difficult to set up. All was fine until we had a cold winter day in Minnesota. As soon as the temperature got below 10 degrees, the suction cups fell off the windshield. I was very annoyed when the temperature readout flashed "below 0" instead of telling me how much below zero it was. Living in a cold climate, its important to know whether it is -1 or -25.
On: 2006-02-14
Bought this almost 2 years ago and it is still in my car but not for long! The compass just went out, which was the only thing that worked reliably. Dont let the Temperature, Altimeter, Weather gauge features dazzle you into buying this one. NONE OF THEM WORKED "ACCURATELY" AS ADVERTISED at the time with exception of the compass. The notion of constantly having to "adjust" anything is ridiculous especially if the device supposedly was design and engineered for automotive use! You should be able to set it one time and not have to worry about it unless the device loses power. If you need a compass then get just that from PNI line of products. The rest of the features are just a marketing ploy to get you to dish out more money. This product was really not made for automotive use!
On: 2006-02-14
I have to agree with James Murphy, about the accuracy of this device in measuring elevation. I am a mechanical engineering student at California State University, Northridge. I can prove with a simple equation that the accuracy should be taken with a grain of salt. The v7000s altimeter resolution (increments that can be displayed) is 5 feet. This means that the display changes by five feet for every five foot change in actual elevation. An equation from fluid mechanics class that gives you pressure change as a function of elevation (assuming that air is compressible, which everyone knows it is) is as follows:
P2 = P1 *e^{[g*(Z2-Z1)]/(R*T)}
where:
P1 - pressure at higher elevation
P2 - pressure at reference (or lower, usually sea level) elev.
g - gravitational acceleration, 32.2 ft./sec^2
Z2 - higher elevation
Z1 - lower or reference elevation (sea level = 0 ft.)
R - gas constant, 1716 (ft*lb)/(slug*degrees R)
T - average temperature of atmosphere (this equation assumes that the temperature is constant & uniform throughout the elevation change) in degrees Rankine
Now, assuming we are at 0 feet elevation (sea level), air pressure is at 14.7 psi, and air temp at 59 degrees F. Next, we take our v7000 wayfinder and pick it up off the ground to a height of five feet, then the pressure will have only changed to 14.69734 psi (a miniscule change). Now, from sea level to 1000 feet? 14.17801 psi (a measurable change). If the sensors in the device can detect the five foot change, it will work nicely. Also, consider that this equation is dependant on ambient temparature, as it is one of the variables, as is the gravitational force which decreases with height. And, the v7000 takes its altimeter readings from its barometer, which is further influenced by the weather. My point is, it CAN be accurate, but with $100 circuitry? Like he said, consider it a novelty. I like mine, but I do take my altimeter readings with a nice grain of salt...
On: 2006-02-13
Bought this almost 2 years ago and it is still in my car but not for long! The compass just went out, which was the only thing that worked reliably. Dont let the Temperature, Altimeter, Weather gauge features dazzle you into buying this one. NONE OF THEM WORKED "ACCURATELY" AS ADVERTISED at the time with exception of the compass. The notion of constantly having to "adjust" anything is ridiculous especially if the device supposedly was design and engineered for automotive use! You should be able to set it one time and not have to worry about it unless the device loses power. If you need a compass then get just that from PNI line of products. The rest of the features are just a marketing ploy to get you to dish out more money. This product was really not made for automotive use!
On: 2005-09-20
I have a wanted a digital altimeter for ever and i have always had a digital compass and a digital thermometer in my car as well. This does it all plus more. Now people have complained about the altimeter being reset or messed up after it is moved. This is correct. If you move the unit after you have mounted it more than 20 degrees or something, it resets itself. This is a really good unit if your planning on leaving it in your car and not moving it around to much. I fully enjoy it!! Just please keep in mind, its not a GPS unit...so the units will not be TOTALLY ACCURATE. Its 100 bucks. It does what it should for 100 bucks, and very well i think. So i am very happy to own one.
On: 2005-01-27
I am a Professional Land Surveyor. I purchased a V7000 for my new vehicle primarily for the compass and exterior temperature. When properly calibrated, using the simple instructions, the unit is quite accurate. However, if you move the unit even a few inches, the calibration is lost. Decide where the unit will live, and ride around a while. Move it, if you will, and ride some more. Once you are satisfied with the location, go through the calibration steps. You will obtain a very accurate magnetic meridian. Then check the variation for you area using the included map or referenced web site. Unless you move the compass or the battery dies, it will reliably show your direction.
The outside thermometer, once mounted in the grille, agrees with the radio temperature (you know, when the man says, "Its 23 degrees in Miami today") within a degree or two, well within the variations in ambient temperature. And, if the outside temp is dropping, the flashing ICE message is a very helpful warning.
However, expecting the inexpensive barometer circuitry to accurately measure elevation is ludicrous. Reasonably close elevation measurement is beyond the capability of anything costing less than several thousand dollars. A 1" change in pressure results in a 1,000 change in elevation. Most cheap barometer do not compensate for the temperature fluctuations that affect their measurement, and thereby do not give reliable pressure readings. Since a change of 0.01" in pressure relates to 10 feet, and 0.10" is a hundred feet, the altimeter feature should be considered as useful for entertainment purposes only.
The "forecast" feature is a novelty at best. Traditionally, a falling barometer indicates bad weather, but if you pay any attention to your local weather forecast, it rains while the pressure rises and it rains while it falls. Its sunny while the pressure falls, and its sunny while the pressure drops. The whole idea that a falling barometer means rain, and a steady or rising barometer means clear skys is pure bunk. And yes, hurricanes are formed by extremely low pressure centers, but they fall apart over land. While there is fault to be laid at the feet of PNI for including such a gimmick, anyone who really needs to know the forecast should listen to the radio or TV instead of depending on a $100 compass and temperature unit installed in the car.
As far as calibrating the pressure, forget it. The inherent error in the unit is so great as to make it a futile exercise. However, as you ride though the Rockies or the Catskills, you may be entertained as the readout increases (yes, increases) as you go downhill and decreases as you climb. What the heck, why do YOu need to know the elevation (oh, do NOT use this instrument to determine if you are in a special flood hazard area-- bad circumstances may result).
The LCD is bright under all light conditions, the auto-off feature and auto-on are very convenient, the auto-backlight is very nice, the unit is big enough to read easily and small enough to be inobtrusive. Its a shame other reviewers did not understand the limitations of using a cheap barometric sensor to determine elevation.
Im satisfied with it.
On: 2004-11-17
Awful engineering, doesnt work as promised. Stay away from the trash made by this company.
On: 2004-11-16
Awful engineering, doesnt work as promised. Stay away from the trash made by this company.
On: 2004-01-14
As a compass, this unit appears to function properly. The additional features are a waste of money. The altimeter must constantly be adjusted (During the course of a drive from to NY to VT, it will be off by several hundred feet). If the car is turned off, the altimeter must be recalibrated. The Weather Predictor has always said SUN... never anything else. I made the mistake of hardwiring the power cable to my 12Volt power port myself (not purchasing the PNI wiring kit). This voided my warranty, and I could not return the unit. I wired it 2 months after I bought the unit, the problems were always there.
by: Anonymous On: 2003-12-13
I bought one of these computers and it broke within two months. They sent me a replacement and it broke. Now they will not even look at it. They said it is probably out of warranty and too expensive to bother fixing. I could accept a defective product if they had good customer service, or vice versa. Instead, they have a crappy product and worse customer service. Avoid them!Kevin L
Parker, CO
On: 2003-12-05
This item is a waste of money. You can get the same benifets by reading the elv. signs in the mountains.It will keep a good compas heading but that is all.
On: 2003-12-03
I found this compass disappointing. As a sailor I am use to the accuracy of Loran, GPS and marine compasses. I suspect that the problem is not the instrument itself, but the difficulty of compensating for the magnetic influences in a car. The PNI often gives erroneous directional information. My unit has developed a defect after less than 6 months of infrequent use. The off button doesnt work. The unit eventually turns itself off. It is an interesting gadget, but a good road map is a better value.
On: 2003-09-21
I have had other PNI compasses for the car but this one is the best. It has a great display and the calibration was a breeze. The barometer and altimeter are a bit unstable but what do you expect when you are using it in a moving vehicle. I also purchased the hard wire kit from PNI which is fantastic. Once wired, it automatically turns the unit on when you start the car and turns on the backlight at night. I wired it right into the wiring of the 12V power outlet and it works fine.
by: Anonymous On: 2003-09-16
You have to position it correctly in the window. Get it too close to the mirror, or too much to the side and it will screw up the readings. But, working great so far.
On: 2003-08-10
At some point in your driving life youve probably asked yourself..."self, which way am I going, what is my altitude, what is the temperature outside?" Well this little box has all the answers.No, it isnt a GPS, it wont tell you how many miles to your destination but it is probably the most accurate compass youll ever find for an automobile. The altitude reading works exactly like most aircraft, its based on barometric pressure so it varies a little day by day. You may have seen a review or two that indicates the V7000 needs constant recalibration. Thats sort of true but, a single press of a button re-calibrates the units elevation reading so how hard could it be? Dont know the altitude of your home? Again not a problem. Use a GPS (your own or borrow from a neighbor) to get the figure or drive to your local airport. Set the unit to that elevation then drive home. Note the difference and re-set the base altitude for your home. Youll never have to do it again unless you remove all power from the V7000. If youre looking for ultimate accuracy so the V7000 will always match up with road maps you set the declanation angle (remember that from Boy Scout compass reading sessions? Its the deviation from true north for your location). Again, not a problem, PNI supplies a map with the numbers in the instruction book or you can get your precise angle online from a government web page (address is in the instructions). The V7000 has a mellow green backlight that automatically turns on/off at night. The unit senses when youve started your vehicle and when youve stopped, turning itself on/off automatically. In short, you really dont have to touch it again unless you want to change the display. I give this gadget a big thumbs up. (...)
by: Anonymous On: 2003-06-28
I received my V7000 compass and love it. I at first had some problems with the calibration, but contacted the customer service department and they walked me through it. I was also a little confused with the altimeter mode and the rep was able to help me with that too. I recommend this product to anyone!!
On: 2003-06-03
I found this item too unreliable for what I want, and had to constantly adjust it too.
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