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- November 6, 2000
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- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2018 EX Sport Concept
I figured this would go in the navigation forum, being a compass and all.
I'd been looking for a digital compass for awhile now, after seeing the factory ones that came in the second generation Explorers, and other newer vehicles. It took awhile, but I finally found something suitable, and after waiting a bit, the price went down enough to make it worth a try.
It's the Wayfinder VT220 Digital Compass, and I found it at Radio Shack on clearance for $9.97.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2123186&cp=2032059.2032325.2105765&parentPage=family&allCount=14&allCount=14&fbn=Type%2FMaps+%26%23038%3B+compasses&fbc=1&parentPage=family
Most stores seem to have it, and it's a pretty good deal considering Sears and a few other places are still selling it for $24.99. As for how well it works, it seems reasonably accurate, though I live in a part of the country where the magnetic declination is practically zero, so I'm not sure it's quite as accurate in farther east or west parts of the U.S. Then again, most inexpensive digital compasses probably don't adjust for magnetic declination anyway. It suppossedly uses the same technology as the units Ford, GM, and Chrysler have in their vehicles, according to the company website.
The LCD display is quite readable during daytime, but night is a different story. While the green backlight is bright enough, the LCD readout is pretty hard to make out unless you're looking at it head-on, which would require mounting it right in your field of vision. The suction cups work impressively well, so much so that it's hard to remove or slide it once you mount it. Removing the suction cups would also allow for permanent screw-on mounting to a flat surface. The power and light buttons work with a light touch of the finger, which is nice just being able to power it on and off to check your direction. Setup and calibration is as easy as installing the included battery and turning the vehicle in a complete circle once the unit is mounted in the vehicle.
If you can live with the night readability, this makes a pretty good add-on for anyone with a Explorer that didn't come with a compass (or any vehicle used for off-road or travel, really), without the expense of a GPS. For $10, I'm pretty pleased. I still keep a regular auto compass in the Explorer, though, because I already have it, and it doesn't need batteries.
I'm also posting this due to the upcoming Christmas holiday, this is sure to make a great inexpensive gift.
I'd been looking for a digital compass for awhile now, after seeing the factory ones that came in the second generation Explorers, and other newer vehicles. It took awhile, but I finally found something suitable, and after waiting a bit, the price went down enough to make it worth a try.
It's the Wayfinder VT220 Digital Compass, and I found it at Radio Shack on clearance for $9.97.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2123186&cp=2032059.2032325.2105765&parentPage=family&allCount=14&allCount=14&fbn=Type%2FMaps+%26%23038%3B+compasses&fbc=1&parentPage=family
Most stores seem to have it, and it's a pretty good deal considering Sears and a few other places are still selling it for $24.99. As for how well it works, it seems reasonably accurate, though I live in a part of the country where the magnetic declination is practically zero, so I'm not sure it's quite as accurate in farther east or west parts of the U.S. Then again, most inexpensive digital compasses probably don't adjust for magnetic declination anyway. It suppossedly uses the same technology as the units Ford, GM, and Chrysler have in their vehicles, according to the company website.
The LCD display is quite readable during daytime, but night is a different story. While the green backlight is bright enough, the LCD readout is pretty hard to make out unless you're looking at it head-on, which would require mounting it right in your field of vision. The suction cups work impressively well, so much so that it's hard to remove or slide it once you mount it. Removing the suction cups would also allow for permanent screw-on mounting to a flat surface. The power and light buttons work with a light touch of the finger, which is nice just being able to power it on and off to check your direction. Setup and calibration is as easy as installing the included battery and turning the vehicle in a complete circle once the unit is mounted in the vehicle.
If you can live with the night readability, this makes a pretty good add-on for anyone with a Explorer that didn't come with a compass (or any vehicle used for off-road or travel, really), without the expense of a GPS. For $10, I'm pretty pleased. I still keep a regular auto compass in the Explorer, though, because I already have it, and it doesn't need batteries.
I'm also posting this due to the upcoming Christmas holiday, this is sure to make a great inexpensive gift.
