Compass

[Matt2matt2002]

A pal of mine dropped in on his new new Nomad and had a fancy compass on his bar.
I forgot to ask him what make it was.

Anyone any thoughts on make and model for a compass on the bar?
From what I have heard - the metal bars can interfer with the compass?
thanks folks..

[il padrone]

Yes, too much metal about that will interfere with a magnetic compass. Personally I've always been pretty good with judgiing directions on rides - using the map, sun position, winds and general awareness of orientation. Maybe I have a big lump of iron in my brain  

If you really need the compass, get a GPS, like my Garmin eTrex Vista Hcx. It has a compass function that works off the satellite positions.

[Danneaux]

Yes, too much metal about that will interfere with a magnetic compass.

And...sometimes, the compasses (compii?) are junk.

Hi Matt,

I went through a string of them purchased from eBay and had no luck at all. Even off the bike, it appeared the magnet had been left out during the manufacturing stage. I persisted, and finally found *one* among the stock on the peg at the local bike shop (where I could test and compare in person). It is a compass-bell combo, marketed by Avenir ( http://www.amazon.com/Avenir-78-27-022-Compass-Bell/dp/B001C3EFPU , the reviews aren't very good.). My example is oil-filled to damp oscillations, has a really clear, nice viewing dome, and is spot-on for magnetic North, which it acquires quickly. The oil must be pretty viscous, 'cos it bounces very little while riding.  You can see it installed on Sherpa here:
http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=3896.0;attach=1024
http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=3896.0;attach=1028
http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=3896.0

Though I expected the steel in Sherpa to be a problem, it hasn't even been a factor so far with the compass-bell mounted on the aluminum Thorn Accessory T-bar. A pleasant outcome for what started as an experiment.

Given the widely varying results and generally very poor quality control on these compass-bells, it is a pretty good idea to check them out in person, if you can. Mine was a gem among the dross. I've generally found a ball-type compass in an oil-filled capsule riding on a ball-bearing gives the longest life in bicycle use, where vibration is a fact of life. A conventional needle and spike or even jeweled bearing doesn't last as long. All bicycle compasses have a finite life due to vibration, but some die more quickly.

If your threadless top-cap isn't being used for anything else (like a Tout Terrain charger or any of a number of accessory replacements), StemCAPtain make a decent needle compass insert for their cap ( http://www.stemcaptain.com/products/compasses/ ). You can choose between a user-adjustable analog thermometer, an analog clock, or the compass. I haven't seen or played with the compass in person, but the clock and thermometer I did see made by StemCAPtain were nicely executed, and I liked the idea of an adjustable thermometer to get the temp spot-on (remembering that, like most thermometers, it only reads the temperature where it is.  Ride with the sun at your back, and you'll be much hotter than it will read in your shadow).

Like Pete, I have always had a pretty good sense of where "North" is (other directions, too!), but I got the compass to save the batteries in my Garmin Oregon GPS. With the compass option switched "off", battery life is greatly enhanced, and I use the bike compass to orient the map instead of the internal one. Also, in deep canyons and heavy, dense forests, my GPS doesn't always get a satellite lock. Here in Oregon, the satellites are low in the sky, and any signals become blocked by the Calapooya Mountains as I proceed south-southwest from home. Have to navigate by compass till I gain enough elevation for the GPS to "see" the satellites.

A surprisingly nice but very cheap oil-damped watchband compass lives on my left wrist, and is a really handy alternative to a handlebar-mounted compass. Oddly, about once a year, only my watch compasses reverse orientation and I have to either de-/re-magnetize them or toss them in the trash. I get them in bulk, a dozen at a time, and the ones in storage are always fine. I have yet to figure how I'm reversing the poles. To reassure everyone, I have decided to keep my magnetic personality away from the North Pole.

I'm a belt-and-suspenders (braces) man, so I always take at least one additional compass on tours with me in addition to the GPS in case the GPS fails and I'm traveling on a directional bearing. I'm a compass collector, so this is a favorite topic for me. I have everything from standard and global declination-adjustable Recta-made matchbox compasses to Silva and standard/global (gimbled-needle) Suunto sighting compasses and ones I've modified myself with epoxy and a Dremel Moto-Tool for my specific sighting needs. The favorite I usually take along is my little Suunto M-2D Locator (flat, small card compass; no sighting mirror, but declination-adjustable and bubble-free oil-filled and a jeweled bearing. See: http://www.rei.com/product/408011/suunto-m-2d-locator-compass ). Suunto and Recta are the only two brands that have yet to develop bubbles in temperature extremes in my use. Sadly, Silvas bubble right away for me, as do Bruntons.

During the days of Bikecentennial (mid-1970s) here in the States, it was popular to pin a little Silva needle compass to a handlebar bag. They didn't work too long due to vibration, and not at all when in motion 'cos the needle would tip and catch on the underside of the lens, causing it to stick.

Bike-mounted compasses can be a fun accessory, provided you can find one that is reliable and reasonably well made. A bike-mounted compass and SkyMounti slope indicator are two great toys to banish boredom when riding along.

Hope this helps.

Best,

Dan.

[Matt2matt2002]

Yes, too much metal about that will interfere with a magnetic compass. Personally I've always been pretty good with judgiing directions on rides - using the map, sun position, winds and general awareness of orientation. Maybe I have a big lump of iron in my brain  

If you really need the compass, get a GPS, like my Garmin eTrex Vista Hcx. It has a compass function that works off the satellite positions.

Thanks for the info.
I had been looking at that Garmn last week.
Is it a good one to get for putting on the handle bars and following routes?
I see it has a micro sd card slot.

[Danneaux]

I had been looking at that Garmn last week. Is it a good one to get for putting on the handle bars and following routes? I see it has a micro sd card slot.

Hi Matt,

For my needs, the Garmin Oregon 400T GPS has proven to be ideal. I think it says something that I would buy it again today, but it might not suit everyone because it is not a bike-specific GPS as some others are.

When I selected it, I was very much attracted to the touchscreen and 3-D graphics, which have not disappointed. Birds-eye satellite photo overlays have now been added as a downloadable option. It is daylight-visible, but the display is very dim without the back-lighting turned up, and that eats batteries. Quick. That is one reason why I plan to power mine with the Tout Terrain The Plug 2 and a hacked automotive power cord as I pedal along. Please note, the automotive power cord is necessary to keep the GPS from going into USB-transfer mode. A lot can be done with the Garmin Spanner settings, but the special cord is the most straightforward way to power it externally from either a dynohub or buffer battery. In dedicated, continuous use, I get about 16 hours from a set of batteries, and I have decided it is worth it to use high-capacity lithium batteries or nickel-metal hydride rechargeables, as ordinary alkalines have just not provided the life I need while on-tour. Please note: Batteries cannot be recharged while in the unit; a separate charger is required for the batteries. I just use my little USB Eneloop charger and the Tout Terrain The Plug 2 if I'm using rechargeables.

I got this GPS for all-'round use, including hiking and use in the car when traveling. There are no voice prompts, but there are a number of modes including Recreational and Automotive that are better-suited to a specific task, and map types can be overlaid. I usually "stack" the topo and automotive maps when cycling.

I took the plunge and got all the US Park and City maps, as well as a complete set for Canada, Europe, and the UK and another set showing all the Benelux bike paths. I've found the micro-SD card feature to be essential, and have a 4GB and an 8GB to store the most-used maps and other stuff like my pre-loaded waypoints and anticipated tracks for upcoming trips. Garmin's BaseCamp software is really handy and nice for trip planning and has a nifty 3-D tilt-map feature that lets you preview the upcoming climbs on your route in sickening detail. One of the really nice features of Garmin GPSs is regular updates to the firmware and software/map data. The updates are free, and some added features make it almost seem like a new GPS. Menus get overhauled and options added that make for easier use over time.

These things aren't cheap, but buys can be had if you search. When I got mine several years ago, retail for the GPS *and* all the maps totaled about USD$1,200. As I recall, the MSRP for the GPS at the time was USD$599, and I got it on sale at a warehouse big-box store for USD$329. As with a computer, once the basic hardware requirements are met, it is the software that makes the difference. The 400T was the best-equipped for my needs right out of the box, but some GPSs I've seen had about as many brains as a can opener on arrival. My 400T will also accept the bike-specific cadence attachment, and speed is derived from the satellites, of course. It lacks the training programs and links to Garmin's online, bike-specific distance-logging and fitness features. I don't see many Garmin Oregons mounted to bikes (Pete's Garmin eTrex Vista Hcx is far more commonly used), but I would choose it again for my on-bike touring needs. Unlike the bike-dedicated models, this one also excels off-road, where I frequently go, including across the center of roadless deserts on playa.

I love the included features. The Wildlife Spotter gives times of day that have proven pretty accurate for increasing the chance to see animals like deer, elk, and pronghorn/antelope. The calendar and moon-phase and sunrise-sunset time features all see daily use. The stored waypoints for services have been a godsend, with street addresses, phone numbers, and turn-by-turn directions to motels and restaurants as well as emergency services. It is a pretty essential tool. It is my first GPS, and it has made a tremendous difference over not having one. it makes life so much easier and more sure that at times, I feel like I am somehow cheating. I also never trust it completely. I always make sure I carry paper maps and at least one compass as a backup in case the GPS breaks or the batteries fail. I cannot afford the risk of doing otherwise, and there are times when I cannot acquire or keep a satlink to keep the GPS working. This is true for all brands and models.

I would be remiss if I didn't caution that a GPS is not a do-all for saving one's skin. Just like a compass, loss-prevention comes with knowing and thinking about how to use it, and using it before getting misplaced. I was engaged in correspondence with James Kim just before he left on the family vacation that resulted in his tragic death due to a GPS- and map-advised route that was inappropriate in winter (See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Kim ...and... http://abcnews.go.com/2020/kati-kim-tells-heart-wrenching-story-family-ended/story?id=12884927 ). It is a tragic story repeated here in Oregon at least several times each year.

There are similar GPSs in Garmin's line, like the less-expensive Dakota, but look carefully for your needs as some features are missing. Also, as a general rule, the x50 models include a Big feature like a (so-so quality) camera, but cut others that are navigation-oriented, so once again, choose with care. A good first stop on selecting between models is the Garmin Oregon Wiki, here: http://garminoregon.wikispaces.com/ Other wikis are available for various other models. I've hacked mine pretty heavily, and am very pleased with it.

You asked about mounting it to the handlebars. Yes, you surely can, using the bracket Garmin sell for about USD$10. It allows mounting to the stem (as I have) or on the handlebars, and is a nice, lightweight item that is well-made and durable. Zip-ties allow it to remain secure on it's synthetic rubber pads, while facilitating transfer from bike-to-bike (provided you supply new zip-ties). The mount uses the new rail-system common to all recent Garmin GPSs, and it is extremely secure. Still (remember, I'm a belt-and braces man), I use a Sony vidcam wrist-strap when off the bike and use it as an additional tether while on the bike. Some of the roads and goat-tracks I bomb down are unbelievably rough, and I don't want to see this little wonder bounding down the trail ahead of me. It has a tough magnesium chassis, but one hit just right (wrong), and the recessed touchscreen would be history.

Hope this helps. First compasses, then GPSs; two of my favorite non-bike, non-computer topics! Thanks, Matt.

Best,

Dan.

[il padrone]

You asked about mounting it to the handlebars. Yes, you surely can, using the bracket Garmin sell for about USD$10. It allows mounting to the stem (as I have) or on the handlebars, and is a nice, lightweight item that is well-made and durable. Zip-ties allow it to remain secure on it's synthetic rubber pads, while facilitating transfer from bike-to-bike (provided you supply new zip-ties).

You seem to have a different mount to the one for the e-TRex Vista which is bolted to the bars and the unit slides onto the clip. Incidentally, I could not use the back that came with the bike mount (E-trex Vista Hcx has a different internal profile due to the card-slot) so I used the bolt-on clip that came with the GPS fitted to the original back.

Still (remember, I'm a belt-and braces man), I use a Sony vidcam wrist-strap when off the bike and use it as an additional tether while on the bike. Some of the roads and goat-tracks I bomb down are unbelievably rough, and I don't want to see this little wonder bounding down the trail ahead of me. It has a tough magnesium chassis, but one hit just right (wrong), and the recessed touchscreen would be history.

+1

I use the lanyard that comes with the GPS and loop it around the bars so that if it was to come off it would stay swinging from the bars. Someone, early on when I first bought it, suggested that the bike mount was liable to failure so I've always been cautious to have the GPS secure.


The Vista Hcx is a very good unit for cycling and also great for off-bike use. I don't make use of more than 1/4 of it's capabilities I'm sure, but mostly just use it for a ready, detailed map that shows my current position. Some of the selling points for me were the microSD card slot to be able to easily add maps (I have the Australia 1;100,000 topographic map from Garmin) and the use of standard AA batteries with a 25hr battery life - this is a big plus for longer trips where I'm away from power sources, I just carry 4 spare lithium batteries and I'll be right for two weeks. The ride profile is fun to look at sometimes and the compass is very handy.

[Paul S]

+1 for the Vista HCX.

All the plus points above are exactly right the only slight downside is that I believe it is about to be discontinued in favour of the Etrex 30.

The Etrex 30 is worth a look as it is basically a Vista HCX in a redesigned shell with Gramins Latest softwhere. It's also compatable with garmins universal bike mount.

That said at the moment you can get the Vista HCX for a very good price!

Paul.

[StuntPilot]

I agree with il Padrone - in my opinion I see no need for a compass on a bike. Its fun to learn to tell compass direction by observing nature and the world around as you cycle along. With practise you can become quite proficient. There is a classic text worth getting hold of ...

http://www.amazon.com/Finding-Your-Way-Without-Compass/dp/048640613X

Having said that, I do have a GPS mainly for recording the route taken, not for finding my way. Maps I think are better. The GPS is useful for finding things around you and direction in cities though. I have the eTrax 30 and it is fantastic. You can download Open Street Maps and Open Cycle Maps with cycle routes. A good site for country maps is ...

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=de&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.raumbezug.eu%2Fag%2Finternet%2FosmGarmin.htm

The maps are simple but a useful backup. You need a GPS that supports .img files such as the eTrex 30.

[stutho]

+2 for Vista HCX.

I have used one for a number of years for bicycling,  hillwalking, canoeing and scuba diving.  I find the unit very robust and easy to use.

However, I always think of the GPS as a tool to be employed after using, or in conjunction with,  a good MAP!  in the UK we are blessed with fantastic maps!  OS explorer (1:50,000) is great but even better (for Cycling) are the goldeneye maps (2 miles to the inch).  With the goldeneye maps be aware that some of the sheets are NOT contiguous, they only print the interesting bits!  While this is in my option a mistake they still make for a great cycling maps.

In the Himalayas where maps are often little more than a sketch of the ridge line and rivers a GPS makes for a far more important tool!