Modern Vespa

on a recent longer ride I thought a compass would be a nice attachment for the Vespa. I believe that compasses for cars and likely scooters need to be a bit different than a standard compass.

So dos anybody have a good rec for a compass for the vespa? So far have not done good looking on the web


thanks


larry

My iphone has a built in compass under Extras.
When I was a child I had shoes that had a compass on the inside heel. Maybe not a good idea to have a shoe to guide you while scooting.

Or a phone.

The phone would be in a Rammount or similar.

How about a marine compass, something built to be used on a boat. They're likely to be watertight and built to compensate for magnetic 'interference', (for lack of a better word) of the metal of the body of the scoot.

Edit to add:
Maybe I'm lucky, maybe I'm odd, but a lifetime involvement in Scouting and 30+ years working as a Land Surveyor as long as I know what the time of day is I pretty much have an innate sense of the cardinal points of N-E-S-W (+/-15) where ever I seem to end up.
But a compass on the scoot does seem to be a cool thing to have.

http://www.marlinsclocks.net/Marlins-Quest-Compass-in-Talon-Motorcycle-Handlebar-Mount--Satellite-Driven_p_308.html

Amazon has a bunch of them. Try there.

I was just looking on amazon last week for a compass since I'm about to embark on scooter cannonball run 2018. The ball compasses you typically see suction cup stuck in cars, all had bad reviews saying they didn't work. The only decent reviewed compasses I could find were compass bracelets that hikers use.

I decided to just use the compass on my iphone if needed.

I think the problem with a magnetic compass on a vespa, will be interference from ferrous metals and electricity.

You can always give it go and see what happens of course..

GPS???

agree with all and while my iPhone does have a compass as I am now 64 and my near vision is not that good(my far vision is still great) seeing the iPhone compass can be difficult so I have actually bought a large clock for the vespa which is great and thought a large compass for the same issues would be great. So I did find one on amazon not sure if it will work but cheap so will try and let you all know.


larry

Hi,

Just wondering if you had any luck finding a compass. I was using my phone but ended up losing reception. At that moment I wished I had a compass mounted on my mirror stem.

Thanks.

Kim

Lotta good stuff out there.

https://www.jpcycles.com/product/832-232/marlin-s-classic-adjustable-handlebar-mount-quest-compass?mrkgcl=444&mrkgadid=3298933475&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=465389431895_product_type_motorcycles_product_type_handlebars_%26_controls_product_ty&utm_campaign=Google+Shopping++Generic+-+Handlebars+%26+Controls&product_id=832-232&utm_content=pla&adpos=1o4&creative=278867792768&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=Cj0KCQjwqPDaBRC6ARIsACAf4hAsKDwZoFN6R_gRi3F2mCr57Cv9TISVUIhxtBu18p62DuYtyRlr0wsaAjsoEALw_wcB

I would think the constant vibrating and road texture/bumps, not to mention needle-swing-lag every time you took a corner, would make an old school compass virtually unreadable,

Smart phone with a Ram Mount seems like the best way to go IMO.

I'd have thought you'd be the guy to point out the bit about the sun.

Huh? Why so?

If the sun is out you don't need a compass. It's simple enough to relate the time of day to the sun's relative direction from yourself. Noon? Shadow points north. That sort of thing.

Thanks for the tip.

Did you look at this one? A number of different mounting choices.

http://www.marlinsclocks.net/Marlins-Quest-Compass-Head-Only--Satellite-Driven-Recommend-Using-with-Mounting-Option_p_303.html

Or this one -

http://www.marlinsclocks.net/Marlins-Perch-Clamp--BrakeClutch--Windshield-Motorcycle-Sport-Compass_p_189.html

Get a good compass that adheres to the bar.

I wish I could put some gas in it an run.

Before I die.

You're very welcome!


...Though in some places maybe it works different. Never been.

Kind of like being on a boat, they work well on them.

If you're that far lost you'll need more than a compass to get home.

Remember:

Timid Virgins Make Dull Companions Add Whiskey


I.e. True - Variation - Magnetic - Deviation - Compass (Add Westerly)


http://www.schoolofsailing.net/true-and-magnetic.html


There is another mnemonic for the opposite way. I cannot for the life of me remember it.

Wait, wait. Got it:

Can Dead Men Vote Twice

That is approximately true at noon standard time - daylight time messes you up. Being at the Eastern or Western edge of a time zone will introduce some error as well. Navigators call the point where the sun is highest in the sky, local apparent noon. That is when you take a noon sighting with a sextant.

dumb question... I have a low tech car, a 2006 Camry. No bluetooth, no navigation, no wifi, but it does have a cassette player (it must have been one of the last ones to get that!).

But I do have a display on my rear view mirror which shows me the direction (N, NW, etc). How does this work, and I imagine that this is basically what most people want... no need to know the difference between 330 and 335 degrees, but just a basic 8 direction type of compass.

I installed one on my truck and everything was in the mirror. Wonder if anyone makes an electric compress that could be put on a scooter?

There's one in my 2003 Ford. I don't know for sure but I think it may be a Hall effect sensor. I've searched for a standalone unit that would work the same way but nothing found yet.

A small waterproof plastic compass on my key lanyard works well for me. I got it at a camping store. If I get lost, I stop & check it to verify my assumed heading. My phone is in my pocket and I don't use it, call me & I'll call you back if I stop or when I get where I'm going.

My VW has compass direction indicator in the cluster as well, it would be nice on a scoot if cluster integrated and quickly readable.

I have a mirror from a Pontiac Sun Fire in my basement from my Dealership days that has a compass. One of the guys gave it to me thinking it was temp, which I was looking for at the time.
If I remember 'll pull it apart tonight and see what is inside.
Unless the OP wants it for the compass. He'd be the only scooter with a rear view mirror.