Compasses that work in rvs

[Tonijim]

I've had no luck in finding a compass that will work effectively on the dash of our Ford E450 motor home. Tried a couple but they seem to be affected by the metal work or something else. Not looking to spend a fortune though. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Jim

[TNGW1500SE]

stay away from the speaker magnets.

[wa8yxm]

I have 3 OBD II adapters, all 3 are "no name" if you go to the proper page in the Torque help section there is a photo of a "Cheap E-Bay adapter" that usually does not work.. the one I have that works looks exactly like that one.

The other two are smaller and will not connect, they pair up but will not connect,, I will work with them more later.

This is the one that worked

Though I can not guarantee it will work for you.

PM me for a less expensive way to buy it (The method I used).

[seaeagle2]

Not to hijack the thread, but what kind of OBD-II adapter are you using, I've got the torque app, but haven't gotten the adapter yet.

[wa8yxm]

I have three that seem to work well in my coach and car.

Two are "Flux Gate" they do need occasional calibration (Push proper buttons and drive in a circle) but they work well.

I also use a couple apps on my cell phone.. one is Compass (Free) and the other is TORQUE (pro) one of the widgets is a GPS compass.. Dead accurate plus/minus so little you'd never notice it. When I have my primary "Glass Dash" up the phone, tied to my OBD-II adapter shows RPM, Compass.. Coolant,, Voltage,, Engine load, Timing advance and manifold pressure/vacuum. Other pages show other things if I wish (one way to calibrate speedo is use GPS speed, OBD speed and Speedo Speed) Rather handy app. But you need the hardware.

Most any GPS. even the cheapest Garmin E-Trex. Will do compass.

[PA12DRVR]

I wouldn't advise an aircraft compass; if you really want to use it, you'll be swinging it and adjusting the reader card quite frequently.

I have a compass in the PA-12 because it's required by the FAA...and I adjust it as frequently as required (even though a PITA)...but what I use for navigation is either IFR (I Follow Rivers) or the GPS.

[tvman44]

I have used a small boating compass very successfully in previous vehicles. 🙂

[Pepperoni]

I picked up a $5 radar detector with compass built in. If I ever need better, I will get GPS

[colliehauler]

tonyandkaren wrote:
We have one of these - http://www.amazon.com/CIPA-36400-Dimming-Rearview-Temperature/dp/B00029WSWW.

Both the temperature gauge and the compass are very accurate. The compass has saved us many miles of traveling in the wrong direction.

This is what I have as well. I like all 3 features.

[tonyandkaren]

We have one of these - http://www.amazon.com/CIPA-36400-Dimming-Rearview-Temperature/dp/B00029WSWW.

Both the temperature gauge and the compass are very accurate. The compass has saved us many miles of traveling in the wrong direction.

[darsben]

Buy a GPS with a compass built in My tom tom has the feature

[DrewE]

You need a compass that can be boxed (i.e. has adjustable corrective magnets to counteract the iron in the vicinity of the compass). Aircraft compasses would be one option, though they may have some trouble because most aircraft metal is aluminum and not ferrous. Many marine compasses would likely work very nicely as well.

If you're moving, a GPS can tell you what direction you're heading in with sufficient accuracy for most things. This is not quite the same thing as the actual heading of the motorhome—it's what direction you've been traveling in, not what direction you're currently pointed, but most of the time that distinction doesn't matter much. Backing up is one (big) exception.

[jplante4]

Aircraft compass or an app on your phone.

Aircraft compasses still have to be swung and a deviation card created.