COmpass

[drrod]

Has anyone swapped out the altimeter for a compass. I would like to do this (altimeter pretty much useless out here) but would like to replace it with a bulb type compass that would look similar to the inclinometer. If anyone has done this, I would appreciate the source of the compass and your thoughts on it.
Thanks

Rod

[Green1]

I haven't done that specifically, however I have tried to mount a compass in the vehicle... I've had zero luck though, no matter what adjustments I make, it still refuses to track anywhere near accurately (it's often off by 90 - 180 degrees...)

[jessef]

Digital compass ?

[Green1]

mine is analog... problem is, there is so much metal and electronics in a vehicle that it's very difficult to do one without it being engineered in at the factory, apparently my steering wheel is north most of the time, with occasional violent bouts of west.

[FalcoColumbarius]

Hey Drrod, before you get rid of your altimeter read this thread:
http://www.delica.ca/forum/how-altimete ... -4144.html
The altimeter has many uses. As far as compasses go I have two, one map, one transit ~ both hand held and I find the best readings I get are outside the van, like Green1's post.

Falco.

[loki]

http://www.autobarn.net/clinometer-with-compass.html

http://www.speeding.co.uk/acatalog/Sher ... mpass.html

http://www.globalsourcesdirect.com/serv ... ass/Detail

some round compasses built for cars, and could possibly be modded to fit into the pod. was just a quick google search, if you spend a little more time searching you can probably find the perfect thing.

[KA43]

[Green1]

KA43: do you find your compass to be accurate mounted in that location?

[jfpdelica]

Have you seen the compass & temperature gauge from a Pajero? I think it might solve you problems, if you can find one some-ones not using.
Hope this helps.

[KA43]

Green1, not able to check its accuracy but so far it helps me decide where to go.

[Green1]

Green1, not able to check its accuracy but so far it helps me decide where to go.

from the experiences I have had with mine, you'd know about it... as I said, mine is off by 90-180 degrees frequently!

[FalcoColumbarius]

...not able to check its accuracy but so far it helps me decide where to go.

KA43, you aren't by chance looking for treasure, are you?

[KA43]

Green1, not able to check its accuracy but so far it helps me decide where to go.

from the experiences I have had with mine, you'd know about it... as I said, mine is off by 90-180 degrees frequently!

thats a huge error, maybe there is a magnetic distortion somewhere near. did you try hanging it away from the dashboard?

...not able to check its accuracy but so far it helps me decide where to go.

KA43, you aren't by chance looking for treasure, are you?

no, just to aid my poor memory

[Green1]

thats a huge error, maybe there is a magnetic distortion somewhere near. did you try hanging it away from the dashboard?

I've tried about everywhere I can think of, the problem is, it needs to be somewhere that I can mount it, and somewhere I can see it while driving, this limits me substantially, and so far, everywhere I've tried has the same problems.

[drrod]

Thanks to all who responded to my query. My reasoning for the question was/is:
- I am not sure the altimeter is working. It did not register any significant elevation change between Calgary and Regina (a difference of some 300 meters at least).
- I just thought that replacing it with a ball compass resembling the inclinometer would look kinda cool and was hoping that someone had done this.

So....I will continue the hunt for a compass that will work in the Delica's interior and maybe I will get brave and take the altimeter out and see why it is not working.
Anyone have a simple method of testing it without taking it apart (other than driving to the top of a mountain)? The van is in Regina and will be for awhile. Mountains are a little hard to come by there!!

Thanks again

Rod