Want to put a compass on my RT

[ruralgirl]

Has anyone put a plain old compass on their RT? I don't want to screw around with a GPS system, I just want to put a marine quality (waterproof) compass on my dash. Is there sufficient wiring in that area to screw up the magnetic field? Or could I expect to have accurate readings?

[fjray]

I think better quality marine units are adjustable. I had a specialist adjust the compass on my boat but it was a very large old compass.

[NM Wrench]

Hi this has been discussed here in the past. I am pretty sure that Finless tried it but found out that the magnets in the speakers messed with the compass. Unless you spend megabucks getting one that can be adjusted to compensate for that I would not recommend it. Good luck if you go that route. :banghead:

[finless]

Several of us have tried a Richie dash mount and the speakers and everything else screws with it.
You would have to buy a super large boat compass to get good enough adjustment to compensate for the deviation caused by the electronics and speaker magnets.

OR buy a VERY expensive all electronic solid state compass you can adjust deviation. They are over $1K

Bob

[ruralgirl]

Hmmm. Okay, thanks everyone. Luckily, every time I've been semi "lost" so far, it's been a sunny day so I could go by shadows to determine my orientation! :) I do keep a map in my frunk, but I usually just need to know where I'm facing.

[WA5VHU]

There's an app for that.

[kngfsh27]

I tried one of the compasses with the suction cup and had to mount it up high on the windshield to get away from any interference. I didn't leave it on for any long rides, so I can't say whether it would stay on or fall off.

[Fat Baxter]

The electronics in the dash will likely interfere with the compass. I know Gold Wings and later model BMW RTs are compass-unfriendly. I suspect Spyders even more so.

I won a compass as a door prize at a rally over a decade ago. A real nice one (like one of these (http://www.formotionproducts.com/shop-1/black-compass)). I tried mounting it as high as I could on my R1100RT's dash area. I set it up in my driveway with the engine running, tweaking the N/S and E/W adjustments. Then off I rode to see how it worked.

First 90-degree turn out of my driveway, it started spinning like the proverbial Dervish. Whhheeeee! I got to a straight section of road, and it f-i-n-a-l-l-y settled down .... kinda .... until I made the next turn, whereupon it resumed spinning madly.

I was sorely disappointed. I, too, would like a compass on my bike, just to have a general indication of the direction I'm heading. I had one on all my earlier bikes, before they went nuts with electronic instrumentation.

[cptjam]

Buy a silva ranger compass. If you can't figure out direction, a good Silva can't be beat. I've had mine 20+ years, and it has never failed! It is a pocket compass, but I keep it in a saddlebag.

[Motorcycledave]

Your iPhone has a campus use that



Hmmm. Okay, thanks everyone. Luckily, every time I've been semi "lost" so far, it's been a sunny day so I could go by shadows to determine my orientation! :) I do keep a map in my frunk, but I usually just need to know where I'm facing.

[cptjam]

Just played with mine! Cool. Took two tries to agree with SpyderAnn's, but finally did. Sweet! Thanks, Dave!!!

[Peter Aawen]

Has anyone put a plain old compass on their RT? I don't want to screw around with a GPS system.....

I can understand your feelings on this, but have come to realise that sometimes the easy & sensible way is just to accept the electronic gizmo in all it's glory & then ONLY use the features you want/need from it!! You aren't being forced to actually use the rest of the GPS' capabilities just cos it's there, in much the same way you don't hafta use your ABS every time you brake just cos it's there! ;)

You can set up most modern vehicle GPS units so they show you nothing much more than a locality map and a couple of features, like maybe your heading & speed; or on some, you can even set them just to show a compass rose that only displays your heading, & they do it pretty accurately too!! If you hafta have more info showing, you can usually pick something innocuous that you can ignore all the time or possibly even choose something that you might occasionally use, like fuel range remaining or an odometer or trip meter. :coffee:

And there's no need to screw around with them either, you can just set them up once to show the basic info you are after (& whatever else you can't get rid of) & then set them to turn on when you start the Spyder & turn off when you stop the Spyder with no other input required from you - ever!! So from there on, you can ignore it even tho it's there all the time - there's nothing forcing you to use it all the time or any of the time, but if you've got one it will be sitting there if you ever feel the urge!! Sure, you might get to see a street map showing on the screen too, & maybe even other stuff like the nearest gas station or warnings about traffic congestion ahead, but that doesn't mean you hafta use it & you can generally disable all that if you like; but seriously, you ca choose to leave it showing & just ignore it most of the time, or you could zoom in or out far enough that you see nothing but blank screen on the map bit while still displaying those elements you might like to see occasionally, like your speed & your heading!! ;)

With the advances that are likely to keep occurring in technology, I'd suggest that maybe it's smarter to get used to these facilities & devices, at least in a small way, so that you can at least learn to use those basic features that you like or want, even if you ignore the rest!! After all, the only real way you are likely to be able to avoid all advances like this completely in the future is likely to be pretty terminal!! :shocked: Technology is like that, it tends to keep on happening & advancing despite our earnest desires that it slow down a bit or even stop at a level we are comfortable with!! Just look around at those amongst us who were born in the days before television & smartphones became mandatory!! :thumbup:

[Bfromla]

Hmmm. Okay, thanks everyone. Luckily, every time I've been semi "lost" so far, it's been a sunny day so I could go by shadows to determine my orientation! :) I do keep a map in my frunk, but I usually just need to know where I'm facing.
:thumbup: So why not keep a compass with the map?:lecturef_smilie::roflblack: Electronics can be helpful & all, but nothing wrong with knowing the basics & low tech. I would say trust the highway signs but too many round here say East in the curve when I know I'm pointing North, ya the road may get East but when. & by all means watch the gas gauge, carry some spare if you can.
"Your not lost, just finding a new route":thumbup:

[Bob Denman]

:opps: I almost hate to suggest this...
Why not try one of those small clip-on Ball compasses, that us hunters always pin to our jackets?
For a couple of bucks; at least it'd be a cheap experiment.
Good luck! :thumbup:

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Just a thought, let's say you found a compass ( cheap ) that wasn't effected by the speaker magnets..... How could you possibly read it while moving and not crash :yikes: ..... and every compass I've ever seen needs to be stationary ..... So just get one and stop , get off the Spyder get a reading and move on...... :clap:............Mike :thumbup:

[bigsmoke]

Has anyone put a plain old compass on their RT? I don't want to screw around with a GPS system, I just want to put a marine quality (waterproof) compass on my dash. Is there sufficient wiring in that area to screw up the magnetic field? Or could I expect to have accurate readings?

I also ride without GPS which equals rides to unknown destinations on obscure roads not traveled by many.
My solution = Go to any outfitting shop ie: REI,
but a quality hand held compass for hikers, I bought one and secured it to my Spyder RS, excellent results and always
know what direction I am going, never get lost for long.

[DJFaninTN]

I could give you the name and phone number of my ex wife. She was always good at telling me where to go :roflblack:

[Buckeye Bleau]

I used to be all about a compass, even in the Army basic training they taught us how to use them with and for mapping.
Then they taught another class much more valuable, sunlight, shadows, moss on trees and such, much more valuable and a lot less expensive.
Plus, it never fails, not subject to other magnetic anomalies and it is always there, except a little harder to use in the dark. :roflblack::ohyea:

Joe

[Bob Denman]

I could give you the name and phone number of my ex wife. She was always good at telling me where to go :roflblack:

:shocked: I must have the same model... :D

[ARtraveler]

Buy a silva ranger compass. If you can't figure out direction, a good Silva can't be beat. I've had mine 20+ years, and it has never failed! It is a pocket compass, but I keep it in a saddlebag.

:agree: x 2. The Silva Ranger was my method of navigating the wilderness when I used to go canoeing in the good ol days (pre GPS). Lost a couple times, but the Silva got me out.

[ruralgirl]

There's an app for that.

I don't own a cell phone (no, I'm not kidding), so to me (horse person), "app" means appaloosa. :D

[ruralgirl]

I can understand your feelings on this, but have come to realise that sometimes the easy & sensible way is just to accept the electronic gizmo in all it's glory & then ONLY use the features you want/need from it!! .........

And break my record of refusing to enter the 21st century without kicking and screaming?? Never! :D:D Besides, I keep reading in here about extraneous devices causing all sorts of problems, or at least being suspect, by interfering with various Spyder operations.

[ruralgirl]

I tried one of the compasses with the suction cup and had to mount it up high on the windshield to get away from any interference. I didn't leave it on for any long rides, so I can't say whether it would stay on or fall off.

I thought of doing that but wondered if it would stress/crack the windshield because 80% of my ryding is on horrendously bumpy country roads. Did yours cause any flexing, etc of your windshield? I keep my windshield all the way up.

[ruralgirl]

Thanks, everyone, for your replies! I did indeed decide to try a wrist compass, but while shopping on amazon, a fold-up pocket type showed up, and it reminded me that I'd gotten one free awhile back with some sort of tool that I'd ordered. So I dug around and found it. It's obviously cheap, but seems accurate when I walk around the farm, so it'll be a good experiment as to how sensitive it will be to the Spyder when I pull it out of my pocket and read it while still on the trike. If it only kinda sorta maybe works, I'll try upgrading to the Silva Ranger that you guys mentioned. Thanks again!

[ruralgirl]

Your iPhone has a campus use that

Uhhh, iPhone? What's an iPhone? :D:D:D

[Peter Aawen]

And break my record of refusing to enter the 21st century without kicking and screaming?? Never! :D:D Besides, I keep reading in here about extraneous devices causing all sorts of problems, or at least being suspect, by interfering with various Spyder operations.

Ummm, you do know that unless it's a real antique, your wrist watch probably has a basic 'computer' inside it, don't you?? And you do realise that your Spyder has & relies on a few Computers & similar electronic control systems to operate too, don't you?? :shocked:

In fact, your Spyder is well up there on the list of wheeled devices we run that are using a whole heap of 21st century Hi-Teckery!! So you are already well past the 'refusing to enter the 21st Century' stage, & in reality, you are probably one of the early leaders amongst early adopters of 21st century technology when it comes to vehicle owners/operators.... :opps: Sorry to hafta bring this to your attention, but if you were waiting for the chance, you've well & truly missed your opportunity for all that kicking & screaming!! :banghead:

Besides, when it all comes down to it, the only 'extraneous devices' that interfere with Spyder operations are those that try to subvert or modify one or more of the electrickery signals running around between the computers you already have & use but don't want admit to - a GPS won't (?can't?!) do that, they really only need charging power (already catered for & provided for by BRP on every Spyder) so you just plug the GPS charger in and set it to turn on, then read the bits of info you want if &/or when you want them!! ;)

Like I said before, the only real way to avoid any exposure to advances in technology is pretty terminal, & generally will really upset your family & friends as well as making a bloody mess for someone to clean up!! :yikes: Besides, it's not really something I'd want to encourage anyone to consider!! :sour: Choosing to live your Life instead is a much smarter idea & has so much more to offer, even if it does mean riding your advanced technology Hi-speed Mobility Scooter & maybe even using the most basic of info that can be provided by a GPS! :thumbup:

[Bob Denman]

Uhhh, iPhone? What's an iPhone? :D:D:D

:D Would you ever consider moving to Grahamsville? (We don't even have any of that cellphone service around us! :thumbup:)

[finless]

Just a thought, let's say you found a compass ( cheap ) that wasn't effected by the speaker magnets..... How could you possibly read it while moving and not crash :yikes: ..... and every compass I've ever seen needs to be stationary ..... So just get one and stop , get off the Spyder get a reading and move on...... :clap:............Mike :thumbup:

So you have not seen many compasses I guess...
Boat compasses for instance do not need to be stationary. The are gimbaled.

This is what I tried to use in my Spyder. It's a boat compass you mount in the dash.

It's a Ritchie X21BU. This will fit in the Spyder gauge hole perfectly!

It would have worked fine while moving but like I said, the magnets and electronics threw it WAY OFF.

136875

Bob

[Devious56]

So you have not seen many compasses I guess...
Boat compasses for instance do not need to be stationary. The are gimbaled.

This is what I tried to use in my Spyder. It's a boat compass you mount in the dash.

It's a Ritchie X21BU. This will fit in the Spyder gauge hole perfectly!

It would have worked fine while moving but like I said, the magnets and electronics threw it WAY OFF.

136875

Bob

I would love to have one of those in my dash, if it worked. There is just too many times, using my GPS, that I woud really like to be reassured of where North was. My Zumo doesn't show compass direction, when following a route, unless you go to the compass page, and I try to fiddle with things as little as possible while riding.

[MisterP]

Every small aircraft out there is full of metal and electronics, yet they all have a wet or "whiskey" compass. It's not rocket science, you just have to allow for the magnetic variation by "swinging the compass". Here is how:

http://www.eaa.org/en/eaa/aviation-communities-and-interests/homebuilt-aircraft-and-homebuilt-aircraft-kits/resources-for-while-youre-building/building-articles/instruments-and-avionics/swinging-the-compass

call around to your local general aviation airports and ask them if they have a compass rose painted on their taxiway. Then ask for permission to bring your Spyder there once you have installed the compass. Create your compass deviation card and go ride.

Keep in mind you need a compass with adjustment screws, which one of our members stated may be more costly than it's worth. But it can be done, so ignore those who say it can't.

[finless]

Every small aircraft out there is full of metal and electronics, yet they all have a wet or "whiskey" compass. It's not rocket science, you just have to allow for the magnetic variation by "swinging the compass". Here is how:

http://www.eaa.org/en/eaa/aviation-communities-and-interests/homebuilt-aircraft-and-homebuilt-aircraft-kits/resources-for-while-youre-building/building-articles/instruments-and-avionics/swinging-the-compass

call around to your local general aviation airports and ask them if they have a compass rose painted on their taxiway. Then ask for permission to bring your Spyder there once you have installed the compass. Create your compass deviation card and go ride.

Keep in mind you need a compass with adjustment screws, which one of our members stated may be more costly than it's worth. But it can be done, so ignore those who say it can't.

I have looked into this.... Both mechanical and 100% electronic compasses that allow deviation or disturbance adjustments.
They are over $1000 dollars! FYI Aircraft compasses are not all one unit. The sensing unit is NOT in the dash. The display on the dash is just that, the display. The sensing unit is mounted elsewhere for most aircraft.

There are also compasses where the sensing unit is remote and can be placed somewhere other than near electronics and on the dash is the readout (like aircraft compasses). Over $2,000 for those!

But the huge problem with the Spyder RT. The dash is very close to the front speakers with pretty large magnets! No deviation adjustment will be able to compensate for that. For the Ritchie I show above, the speaker magnets locked the compass to a position and it would not move at all. No compensation will fix that. I tried using copper and lead to try and block that but to no avail...

Anyway, to get a compass that will work on the Spyder, the cost is too much for me for just for a compass.


Bob

[MisterP]

I have looked into this.... Both mechanical and 100% electronic compasses that allow deviation or disturbance adjustments.
They are over $1000 dollars! FYI Aircraft compasses are not all one unit. The sensing unit is NOT in the dash. The display on the dash is just that, the display. The sensing unit is mounted elsewhere for most aircraft.

There are also compasses where the sensing unit is remote and can be placed somewhere other than near electronics and on the dash is the readout (like aircraft compasses). Over $2,000 for those!

But the huge problem with the Spyder RT. The dash is very close to the front speakers with pretty large magnets! No deviation adjustment will be able to compensate for that. For the Ritchie I show above, the speaker magnets locked the compass to a position and it would not move at all. No compensation will fix that. I tried using copper and lead to try and block that but to no avail...

Anyway, to get a compass that will work on the Spyder, the cost is too much for me for just for a compass.


Bob

Bob, I have to disagree. I think you are referring to a DG or directional gyro which uses the aircraft vacuum system. Gyros are expensive. Peek in the window of almost any single engine aircraft and you will see a simple wet compass. They aren't that expensive, but you have to swing them to determine the variation. That's what the card is for. There are also compass errors which occur in flight due to the earth's magnetic field but that's for another day.

I would agree with you that mounting in the dash would create problems, but above the dash would be similar to aircraft installations. I personally think it's too much trouble.

Paul

[vided]

Buy a silva ranger compass. If you can't figure out direction, a good Silva can't be beat. I've had mine 20+ years, and it has never failed! It is a pocket compass, but I keep it in a saddlebag.


won't it be called a saddlebag compass.:roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:
how could i resist :banghead::banghead::banghead:

[finless]

Bob, I have to disagree. I think you are referring to a DG or directional gyro which uses the aircraft vacuum system. Gyros are expensive. Peek in the window of almost any single engine aircraft and you will see a simple wet compass. They aren't that expensive, but you have to swing them to determine the variation. That's what the card is for. There are also compass errors which occur in flight due to the earth's magnetic field but that's for another day.

I would agree with you that mounting in the dash would create problems, but above the dash would be similar to aircraft installations. I personally think it's too much trouble.

Paul


OK so how about a link to a compass that allows for adjustment for magnetic noise e.g. ability to swing it (not just deviation).
I searched and could find nothing for less than $1,000

Bob

[cuznjohn]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Marlins-Quest-Motorcycle-Compass-Adjustable-Handlebar-Mount-Satellite-Driven-/112070560979

[finless]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Marlins-Quest-Motorcycle-Compass-Adjustable-Handlebar-Mount-Satellite-Driven-/112070560979

Yes I saw that one and might be good for some but does not operate like a wet compass.
Using GPS you must be moving to see direction! If your stopped it does not know which way you are facing.

It also does not give degrees. So it's a "rough" accuracy of N, NE, E, etc...

But if that is good enough for most, then go for it :)

I was asking about a real compass with the ability to adjust for Magnetic anomalies...

Bob

[ruralgirl]

Ummm, you do know that unless it's a real antique, your wrist watch probably has a basic 'computer' inside it, don't you?? And you do realise that your Spyder has & relies on a few Computers & similar electronic control systems to operate too, don't you?? :shocked: ....[cut].......Like I said before, the only real way to avoid any exposure to advances in technology is pretty terminal, & generally will really upset your family & friends as well as making a bloody mess for someone to clean up!!.....[cut].... :sour: Choosing to live your Life instead is a much smarter idea ......... :thumbup:

My wrist watch is manually wound (yes, they can still be found), so I doubt it's computerized, but, yes, I do realize that my Spyder is a COW, as I've posted in here in before (Computer On Wheels). And the fact that I'm communicating with you, in another country, no less, via my laptop computer has given me a clue that I've submerged at least one whole foot in the 21st century.

I simply feel that my options for using products that make my life simpler because they're more reliable and/or easier to operate are disappearing. E.g., battery operated watches don't make sense for me because they don't stand up to many of the concussive things I do like punching a rearing horse in the head before he kills us both, AND because it's so stupid to have to replace a battery every year. I'm not too lazy to wind my watch. There are other examples of good old fashioned devices, like manual can openers, that not only operate for free, but they operate, PERIOD, during a power outage. I can cook on our woodstove throughout our frequent power outages, but my meal choices are limited if I can't get at them because the can opener requires electricity.

I love my many modern inventions as much as the next gal, but when they become more of a burden than an asset, and when they exist just because they can, and when their inexplicable popularity nudges sane, logical, practical products into extinction, technology has gone too far for this old girl.

[Bob Denman]

...I simply feel that my options for using products that make my life simpler because they're more reliable and/or easier to operate are disappearing. ...There are other examples of good old fashioned devices, like manual can openers, that not only operate for free, but they operate, PERIOD, during a power outage. I can cook on our woodstove throughout our frequent power outages, but my meal choices are limited if I can't get at them because the can opener requires electricity.

I love my many modern inventions as much as the next gal, but when they become more of a burden than an asset, and when they exist just because they can, and when their inexplicable popularity nudges sane, logical, practical products into extinction, technology has gone too far for this old girl.

:D Everybody can use the good old P-38, to open up a can of beans, for some old-fashioned campfire cooking!

136957

[ruralgirl]

:D Everybody can use the good old P-38, to open up a can of beans, for some old-fashioned campfire cooking!

136957


I'm sure there's an app for opening cans, and another one for starting a fire, but I'm with you, Bob! A good ole P-38! And a book of matches (yes, shortly before the end of the 20th century, I advanced beyond rubbing two sticks together). Dare I say that I've even supplemented my P-38 with a screw-into-the-wall, hand-cranking model. I haven't gone too far, have I?? :shocked:

[ruralgirl]

cuznjohn, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your meerkat siggie pic!!

[Bob Denman]

Dare I say that I've even supplemented my P-38 with a screw-into-the-wall, hand-cranking model. I haven't gone too far, have I?? :shocked:

As long as you stop there, and NEVER get an electric model... :thumbup:

[ruralgirl]

As long as you stop there, and NEVER get an electric model... :thumbup:

Not to worry. Been there, done that, tossed 'em out. :D

[Bob Denman]

:D :clap: :thumbup:

[jegarh]

So you have not seen many compasses I guess...
Boat compasses for instance do not need to be stationary. The are gimbaled.

This is what I tried to use in my Spyder. It's a boat compass you mount in the dash.

It's a Ritchie X21BU. This will fit in the Spyder gauge hole perfectly!

It would have worked fine while moving but like I said, the magnets and electronics threw it WAY OFF.

136875

Bob

What would happen if you just removed the speakers completely? I NEVER listen to the radio.

[ruralgirl]

What would happen if you just removed the speakers completely? I NEVER listen to the radio.

I was wondering that, too, since I also never use my radio. Can't hear it unless I'm all but sitting still.

[ruralgirl]

It may or may not work. Between electronics of the display, headlights, and even the frame of the machine, it may still have a tough time.

Honestly, when you really get the desire for just a heading from a compass, it is easier and more accurate to use a GPS with screen set to a compass display. Not sure if automotive or moto units allow this, but inexpensive hiking units will and are water resistant. If you go with rechargable batteries and a simple mount, it becomes a simple setup.

A member pm'd me about Marlin compasses, and I'm thinking about buying this one: http://www.marlinsclocks.net/Marlins-Quest-Compass-in-Perch-Clamp--BrakeClutch--Windshield-Mount--Satellite-Driven_p_311.html

[5Wheels]

Not much use while riding or at night but here's a "compass" that you probably already have: http://www.wikihow.com/Use-an-Analog-Watch-as-a-Compass

[Jheck]

I was wondering that, too, since I also never use my radio. Can't hear it unless I'm all but sitting still.
Now that's a good question. My radio has been useless since day one. Only time it comes in, is when I'm passing thru a city. If I took a speaker out, could I use that lead for a 12v plug to plug in a GPS, with out screwing up the electronics?

[robmorg]

Now that's a good question. My radio has been useless since day one. Only time it comes in, is when I'm passing thru a city. If I took a speaker out, could I use that lead for a 12v plug to plug in a GPS, with out screwing up the electronics? There's room to put a 12v plug there and leave the speaker in - at least on an RT. Many have done that.

[Peter Aawen]

A member pm'd me about Marlin compasses, and I'm thinking about buying this one: http://www.marlinsclocks.net/Marlins-Quest-Compass-in-Perch-Clamp--BrakeClutch--Windshield-Mount--Satellite-Driven_p_311.html

So let me get this clear???

You WON'T use a GPS because it's electronic rubbish that you don't want to be exposed to despite it having the capability to display a compass heading, cos it 'might cause problems or interfere with various Spyder functions'.....

And yet you ARE considering buying & using a compass display that works by utilising GPS technology behind the scenes to display a compass heading?!? :hun: :shocked:


Oh yeah, that makes perfect sense?!?

:banghead::banghead::banghead:

[robmorg]

It may or may not work. Between electronics of the display, headlights, and even the frame of the machine, it may still have a tough time.

Honestly, when you really get the desire for just a heading from a compass, it is easier and more accurate to use a GPS with screen set to a compass display. Not sure if automotive or moto units allow this, but inexpensive hiking units will and are water resistant. If you go with rechargable batteries and a simple mount, it becomes a simple setup.


A member pm'd me about Marlin compasses, and I'm thinking about buying this one: http://www.marlinsclocks.net/Marlins-Quest-Compass-in-Perch-Clamp--BrakeClutch--Windshield-Mount--Satellite-Driven_p_311.html
Ruralgirl,

Have to say, I like Paul's idea better, but given your remonstrance to technology, I believe your choice is a good compromise. And it looks good too. :)

You are indeed a lady of principle. :thumbup:

[irvin48]

A member pm'd me about Marlin compasses, and I'm thinking about buying this one: http://www.marlinsclocks.net/Marlins-Quest-Compass-in-Perch-Clamp--BrakeClutch--Windshield-Mount--Satellite-Driven_p_311.html

let us know how it works . i think i need one. irv

[ruralgirl]

Not much use while riding or at night but here's a "compass" that you probably already have: http://www.wikihow.com/Use-an-Analog-Watch-as-a-Compass

Pretty neat! I think I read about this eons ago, like while in 4H or some such. Not exactly what I'm looking for, :), but it's a great thing to know. Thanks.

[ruralgirl]

So let me get this clear???

You WON'T use a GPS because it's electronic rubbish that you don't want to be exposed to despite it having the capability to display a compass heading, cos it 'might cause problems or interfere with various Spyder functions'.....

And yet you ARE considering buying & using a compass display that works by utilising GPS technology behind the scenes to display a compass heading?!? :hun: :shocked:


Oh yeah, that makes perfect sense?!?

:banghead::banghead::banghead:


It's a matter of simplicity. A rectangular screen taking up a good piece of real estate in my face with functions that I'll never use, or a small circle that I can place unobtrusively where I wish and which is devoted to the only function that I need. Please note that, Plan A failing (a regular compass), I AM unhesitatingly turning to higher technology. I never said I didn't appreciate modern gizmos, nor recognize their place.

[ruralgirl]

let us know how it works . i think i need one. irv

Thanks, Joyce. I plan on ordering one today and will definitely report back about it!

[WilliamT]

I will be trying to do the install of the satellite compass for my wife Wendy (ruralgirl).

The plan is to screw on the compass using one of the existing 4 screws of the instrument panel with an appropriate spacer (24mm).

My question to you guys is the removal of the instrument panel console. It looks like one just removes 4 screws and it lifts out. It looks simple enough, but apparently others have had unspecified trouble?
Also, I am expecting to find a switched accessory wire to use for power and a place for the ground wire. What is the "color code" for the switch power wire?

Thanks for any comments and suggestions.

[ruralgirl]

I ordered the 190747 Marlin's Quest Compass in Perch Clamp a few days ago and received it a couple days later (http://marlinsclocks.com). Today, my husband and I installed it, which took about 90 minutes plus an hour to run out and get smaller tap splice connectors after the first ones failed to displace sufficient wire insulation. I then took a 40 mile spin around the block on twistie roads to test it out. FABULOUS! I'm very pleased with this GPS compass.

For starters, it was easy to install (Bill intends to post the details and give credit for info received in here). We used the bottom left console screw hole, as you can see in my pic, for a perfect location that's out of the way, yet easy to see. A 40mm 5M screw and four 6mm spacers were provided by Marlin for an additional fee. Marlin's wiring is so small that it easily slid behind the flexible speaker grill with no need to cut a notch. The length of wire provided is very long, but we chose not to cut it, coiling it instead, securing with a tiny zip tie, and leaving it in the spacious compartment between the speaker and its grill.

The next thing I like about this compass is its continual, red letter read-out which doesn't rotate like a regular compass. By that I mean, N is always at the top (if that's the way you've positioned the compass), S is always at the bottom, etc. This is important to me because I can't actually read the smaller fonts of SE, SW, NE, and NW while ryding. But it doesn't matter since all I need to see is the position of the letters.

The compass is easily removeable from its base (what Marlin calls its "cup"), so that it can be repositioned throughout the 360 degrees to face N wherever you like. The stem of the perch clamp can be loosened, pivoted to change the compass face angle relative to the stem, and retightened.

This is a quality instrument with heft and beauty. I highly recommend a visit to Marlin's website as he's developed many other potential farkles for us!

[WilliamT]

Wendy and I decided that the lower left console screw would be a good place to mount the GPS compass without cutting any plastic. The existing screw is M5 x 14. I asked Marlin to provide a 24mm spacer and an M5 x 40 screw which they did. The spacer was in the form of four 6mm spacers. After evaluating a trial fit, we ended up using 3 spacers (18mm), and had to use the 4th under the head of the screw. Otherwise the screw was too long.
I did a great deal of forum searching to obtain as many ideas in advance as possible. The best I found was at http://www.knarfoh.com/GPS_INSTALL/gps_install.html which was very helpful. My needs were just a subset of what he described.
We started by removing the left speaker grill which has 5 tabs. Started at the upper left with two flat blade screwdrivers, worked both down and also to the right to release the next two. The remaining two pretty much just popped out. Easy.
Then we removed the 4 console screws after applying the helpful towel around the steering column to cover the “black hole”. Turned the steering all the way to the left, and with a little flexing of the bottom of the console, we could pop out the console. There is only about 2 inches of slack cable to the fuel and temperature gauges. On Wendy’s 2015 RT-S, the fuel gauge connector is way different than that shown on the knarfoh website. By releasing this connector, we could rotate the whole console up 90 degrees and out of the way.
After inserting the power cable of the compass into the hole at the very upper left corner of the speaker cavity, it just popped into the console cavity after the first push. Easy.
As already stated, there is only about 2 inches of free cable to the fuel gauge. So put on your smallest fingers for the next step. The 3 wires going to the gauge are wrapped in a woven cloth sheath. I slit this sheath back about an inch with a small utility knife to expose more of the wires. I confirmed with a multimeter that the orange and black wires provide switched 12V and ground respectively. These two wires were tapped to the compass using Ace Hardware 22-18 AWG Red Tap Splice Connectors. I first tried the blue (for 18-14 AWG) which I had on hand, but they weren’t successful (no power). Then the console was reinstalled, but I had to install the left side first; otherwise the new splice connectors wouldn’t go into the available hole. With 3 of the console screws snugged in, we then installed 3 spacers, the compass bracket, a spacer and the 40mm screw and snugged them down. Pulled most of the wire into the speaker cavity and coiled it up and secured it with a zip tie. Then popped the speaker grill into place without cutting any slot for the power wire. This is not a waterproof grill in the first place, and it didn’t look like we were making it any less. So that was it. Wendy went on her maiden voyage and came back happy.

[Joerolwing]

Advertisement in the current Rider Magazine, pg 85. Quest Compass, 800/777-5543, www.marlinsclocks.com, price starts at $89.95

[Bob Denman]

:clap: Thanks for the update, and I'm glad to hear your setup is working as planned! :thumbup:

[irvin48]

thank you much for the write up. being the lazy person that i am, i ordered the
9 volt battery set137781up for instant gratification. tried it out sunday and it works
great. i have an s model so, no gps. a couple of file strokes and a temporary
perfect mounting place was found. when i get all the parts rounded up i will
hard wire it. finally, my directionally challenged days are behind me. thanks to
every one for making it happen. :yes::bowdown: irv toms


sorry. my tech skills are terrible

[ruralgirl]

thank you much for the write up. being the lazy person that i am, i ordered the
9 volt battery set up for instant gratification. tried it out sunday and it works
great. i have an s model so, no gps. a couple of file strokes and a temporary
perfect mounting place was found. when i get all the parts rounded up i will
hard wire it. finally, my directionally challenged days are behind me. thanks to
every one for making it happen. :yes::bowdown: irv toms


sorry. my tech skills are terrible


I'm so glad I could help! Isn't it great to just glance down and confirm that you're headed in the direction you were hoping for! :D

[irvin48]

willian t, thank you for all the help. i 3M taped my unit to the garmin access
hole, seeings i dont have one. ran the wires down the steering column, up
the l side of the speaker hole, and came in behind the cluster.found access with
apiece of wire and fished them through. good enough for who its for. gave me
something to do on this sat afternoon at the shop.thanks again !:bowdown::yes::D
--irv toms