In-Mirror Digital Compass
Average Rating: 2.5 Total Reviews: 10
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 On: 2008-05-20
Digital compasses can have their inherent limitations: you only see letters: N, NE, NW, SE, etc., with little sense of where youre heading. Other compasses have pseudo-analog displays that are far clearer. This particular one was a bit troublesome because you have to reach up to turn it on (a function of its self-contained battery, which admittedly relieves the requirement that the thing be wired into the cars electrical system) and it has a feeble backlight that works okay if not great. It stopped working after about a year, so I replaced the battery, which briefly fixed things, but now its gone again. My one-dollar ball compass worked about as well, though it would get strange on steel bridges (if you dont see trees on the side of the road, dont trust your compass) but I think Ill look for a more sophisticated instrument.
 On: 2008-01-01
Number one - so small and and so poorly lighted that you cannot see it at all. You will not be able to use it in cars where the mirror is longer distance from the windshield that the cable of the compass. In my Honda Element you would need longer cable. Also be aware that since this is electronic device you cannot return it to the most of the stores for any refund.
 On: 2007-11-25
This compass works ok, however, I had to calibrate it 3 times already.
The down size, it that it does not stay on all the time, so you literally have to push the button every 10 minutes and even though it comes with a back light, it is not bright enough for sunny days. But, it does serve the purpose.
On: 2007-10-18
I was not satisfied. It is nearly impossible to read when mounted on the rearview mirror when the sun is out. Additionally, after four callibrations it still declares the Pacific Ocean is east.
On: 2007-06-27
The concept is great and there are many good ideas, but the size of the display is so small that you need a navigator to read the heading to you lest you run off the road trying to read it.
 On: 2007-03-06
I probably went through 5 different "suction cup" mounted compasses and none of them worked properly. There are too many magnetic fields in a vehicle for them to work properly without calibration.
This compass however worked great within 5 minutes.
Installation is easy enough, and once its mounted all you need to do is hold the button down for 5 seconds to put the compass in "calibration" mode, then drive around in circles slowly until it stops flashing.
Granted, you do look like an idiot driving in a circle in a parking lot somewhere, but once you are done the compass works just like one that you would find factory installed.
The only complaints are that the actual sensor feels kinda cheap and it came apart slightly when I was mounting it. It just snapped back together though. Also, the back light just stays on for 3 seconds. Id rather have it stay on for 10, but you need to think how long it really takes you to read two letters?
If you actually want a compass for your car and it didnt come with one, this is the only one Ive found that actually works.
So just buy it. :)
On: 2007-03-01
If mounted and calibrated correctly it works fine. I just bought this because I didnt really want to spend the money (or worry about theft) of a GPS unit. Mine has a nice electroluminescent blue light when traveling in the dark, although it only stays on for about 10 seconds and then auto-shuts off (most likely because those backlights consume tons of energy) It does have an auto shut off when you park, although it should also have an auto turn on when you start driving (I have to manually turn it on when starting).
Should be able to find it online for $34 or less.
On: 2007-02-28
If mounted and calibrated correctly it works fine. I just bought this because I didnt really want to spend the money (or worry about theft) of a GPS unit. Mine has a nice electroluminescent blue light when traveling in the dark, although it only stays on for about 10 seconds and then auto-shuts off (most likely because those backlights consume tons of energy) It does have an auto shut off when you park, although it should also have an auto turn on when you start driving (I have to manually turn it on when starting).
Should be able to find it online for $34 or less.
On: 2007-01-16
Follow the directions and it works. The sensor seems like it must be in a level position to be accurate and that is how the instructions say to install it. Luckily its adjustable if you need to do so. In everyday driving it functions just as most compasses that are built into the mirrors on newer cars.
Edit: After 3 months of owning this product I would only give it 2 stars. I does some strange things sometimes. While heading in a straight line, it will completely flop 180 degrees and then return. When comparing it to my gps on familiar roads, it is definitely no where near as accurate.
It seems to have some "slop" as well. When traveling a road and the heading changes and then changes back, the compass doesnt. Ive verified this with a gps. Ive never seen this kind of behavior in factory compasses, why does this one do this? Reviews of other aftermarket vehicle compasses state similar problems. Recalibration doesnt seem to stop the quirks.
On: 2007-01-15
The overall service of ordering, delivery and return was excellent.
The product was the problem as it was defective. The return was easy and refund was prompt.
On: 2006-12-14
It was cheap so I figured what they hey, bad idea. It only worked when it wanted to, showed the wrong direction most of the time, and being cheaply made, fell apart.
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