Compass?

[PrairieSpyder]

Has anyone ever mounted a compass on their Spyder? I'd like to have one, either on the dash or mounted to the handle-bar. I know. It's also called a GPS, but I'd like to have an old-school-type of compass. But I wonder if it would be accurate with the engine and stuff in close proximity.

 

[Jeriatric]

Compass

but you're always going >>>>>>>> that way :roflblack::joke:

 

[donec]

I also am planning on mounting an old fashion compass but haven't gotten around to it yet. Your question is something I had not thought of yet so I will be going out and setting my hand held compass at different places and see if the bike seem to affect it. will report back.

 

[Pennyrick]

Has anyone ever mounted a compass on their Spyder? I'd like to have one, either on the dash or mounted to the handle-bar. I know. It's also called a GPS, but I'd like to have an old-school-type of compass. But I wonder if it would be accurate with the engine and stuff in close proximity.

On my old RT (2011 SM) I installed a compass/temp gauge combination that was fairly accurate. I too like to see the direction and I liked the better ambient temp reading.

When I got the later model RT Limited I find it just as easy to read the GPS compass as the read out is larger.

 

[NancysToy]

I have done it on my BMW, but never on the Spyder. I suspect a good quality automotive compass, like an Airguide, would work.

 

[Bob Denman]

But you've got to be careful... there's still enough metal under you, to make calibrating it a real miserable job! :gaah:

 

[ARtraveler]

Let us know how it works for the compass on a :spyder2:. I have been wanting to put functioning gauges in place of the gas gauge/temperature gauges that I have now switched over to digital.

My dealer will not install oil pressure or amp gauge. So I want something that is plug and play and is benign to messing with the spyder electronics. A compass seems like a good one and maybe an altimeter would be cool here. I go from sea level to above the tree line a lot. Don't really need to know how high I have traveled, but the gauge would be kind of cool.

I have one of those cars with a compass on the mirror, and its cool to watch it change directions--but not a necessary tool for me when driving.

opcorn:opcorn:opcorn:

 

[PrairieSpyder]

Let us know how it works for the compass on a :spyder2:. I have been wanting to put functioning gauges in place of the gas gauge/temperature gauges that I have now switched over to digital.

My dealer will not install oil pressure or amp gauge. So I want something that is plug and play and is benign to messing with the spyder electronics. A compass seems like a good one and maybe an altimeter would be cool here. I go from sea level to above the tree line a lot. Don't really need to know how high I have traveled, but the gauge would be kind of cool.

I have one of those cars with a compass on the mirror, and its cool to watch it change directions--but not a necessary tool for me when driving.

opcorn:opcorn:opcorn:

An altimeter would be cool, too, but then you'd need a barometer, as well.

 

[boborgera]

Might be a good idea, I mean the Spyder was made in Canada, And the compass will be pointing to Canada.
Calling home??!:roflblack:

 

[ARtraveler]

Might be a good idea, I mean the Spyder was made in Canada, And the compass will be pointing to Canada.
Calling home??!:roflblack:

Not from where I'm at. :roflblack:

 

[Pennyrick]

My dealer will not install oil pressure or amp gauge. So I want something that is plug and play and is benign to messing with the spyder electronics. A compass seems like a good one and maybe an altimeter would be cool here. I go from sea level to above the tree line a lot. Don't really need to know how high I have traveled, but the gauge would be kind of cool.

opcorn:opcorn:opcorn:

Did the dealer give you an explanation as to why they wouldn't do this? I could maybe understand the OP gauge but an ammeter is pretty benign,

 

[boborgera]

Not from where I'm at. :roflblack:

South /East?? But it still points to Canada, North Magnetic Pole.....

 

[ARtraveler]

South /East?? But it still points to Canada, North Magnetic Pole.....

You have a point--I did not think of it that way. :bowdown:

 

[ARtraveler]

Did the dealer give you an explanation as to why they wouldn't do this? I could maybe understand the OP gauge but an ammeter is pretty benign,

They specifically did not want to mess with an oil pressure guage. There the ones out of the extra $'s.

 

[Bob Ledford]

Compass

If you find what your looking for in a compass. You will need to re-calibrate it to get in close to accurate. My suggestion would be to go to your local airport and make use of their compass calibration compass rose. All the good airports have one that the small plane owners use to check their compasses against.

 

[PrairieSpyder]

If you find what your looking for in a compass. You will need to re-calibrate it to get in close to accurate. My suggestion would be to go to your local airport and make use of their compass calibration compass rose. All the good airports have one that the small plane owners use to check their compasses against.

There are published corrections to use in different locations. Here in Kansas, I just go out into the country and point my Spyder on a north-bound county road to get true-north. In an airplane the magnetic variance correction is entered on a gyrocompass. I'm just thinking of a magnetic floating compass that doesn't require technology.

 

[NancysToy]

Exact calibration of a compass is not real important on a road vehicle. You can't take a heading as you can in the air or across open water or open country. You have to follow the roads, so you only need to know approximate headings.

 

[Flanker]

I have done it on my BMW, but never on the Spyder. I suspect a good quality automotive compass, like an Airguide, would work.

What NT said.

 

[ARtraveler]

What they said about compass set up. I just got a car with an onboard compass in the mirror. The manual showed how to set it up depending on where in the world you are. They have divided everything into zones.

Minnesota is one of the states where you do not have to worry to much about compass declination--it is right at about 0 degrees. When I used to travel in the canoe wilderness by map and compass--setting the compass declination was important or you could end up a mile or two off your portage destination. A big deal when you are hauling and paddling. This was in the days before the invention and use of the GPS. It was a bit scarry in the beginning, and I got lost on big lakes a couple times. After a while, I could hit the portage on a dime most of the time.

Not a big deal though if you are driving. The compass will let you know if you are going in the right direction--not taking into account curves etc.