CALL Pattie - 761-0609

"We Produce Maine's Best
Defensive Drivers"

A premiere Driving School
located in Portland, Maine across from Deering High School. 

How to Buy a Directional Compass for Your Car

Instructions 

Step One
Determine how much money you want to spend. Compasses can cost as much as $250.

Step Two
Decide whether the compass you finally buy should look stock in your car. Battery-run and bubble-in-water-style compasses are designed to be mounted directly on the dashboard of a car. But there are more sophisticated compasses that are part of a rearview mirror, work off the car’s battery, and look like they’re stock.

Step Three
Consider the technology used in the compass. Some of the less sophisticated compasses can be adversely affected by steel bridges, buildings or even railroad tracks, and may have to be re-calibrated often. That’s not the case with the new varieties that feature Pathpoint Technology, developed by Johnson Controls, or Precision Navigation (PI) technology.

Step Four
Consider installation. Some bubble-in-liquid compasses and those powered by batteries are installed fairly easily. Others rely on the car’s battery for power. The more sophisticated compasses are more reliable and probably should be placed by a professional installer. The 12-volt compasses can be installed and calibrated by car audio retail shops that are familiar with 12-volt products.

Step Five
Note that compasses can be purchased from automotive parts stores as well as car dealerships.