digital compasses

I live in a midwestern city and cardinal directions are important for driving, so I use this compass intermittently when I am getting lost. It works very well and is easy to configure - one drive in a circle and it is set up. It has an auto-off function that keeps you from running down the batteries. I have not had a problem with the AA batteries running out too quickly but I also do not use the compass every day, only occasionally. It has a well designed suction-cup mounted cradle that is easy to position. The high contrast display is easy to read, even in bright light.

This was the second of three different PNI compass models I have bought through Amazon, and I would not recommend any of them. If they worked right, I would love them. But all three of them will not stay on. It says they will stay on unless no change in the magnetic direction is for ten minutes. This simply is not true as all three of mine that I have bought shut off all the time, even if I just drive around the block all day.

I did not buy this compass and I would not buy it because by just looking at the picture I can see it is badly designed.

An intelligently designed compass should always tell you, in a natural and logical way, which cardinal point is in front of you (and which one at your right, left and back). To achieve this, the compass should have a fixed arrow pointing forward (the car's direction), and on the head of this arrow should appear the true cardinal point to which the car is pointing. For example, if you are moving towards East, you would like to see E on the head of the forward pointing arrow; but instead, on the advertised compass you will see N in front of you, and an arrow pointing to your right. If you are moving South this compass will show you N in front of you (very bad), and the arrow pointing backwards.

The design error of this compass consists in having letters N, E, S, W fixed (painted) on the frame and a rotating arrow which points to this letters, but no to the true physical direction.

A good design should have a fixed arrow pointing forward and rotating letters.

In few words, this compass shows lack of intelligence and aesthetics in its design.