A Car Compass is an essential piece of equipment that will allow you to navigate across rural and off-road areas. They are available as magnetic compasses or the more desirable digital compass for cars, which use heads up displays.
Related Articles
The best car compass is the Ritchie S-53 Explorer, which is viewable from every angle and comes with the brands reputable 5 year warranty.
Compasses are not a factory fitted component and relying on GPS may not be reliable option. Budget will play a big role with regards to the accuracy but even the cheap alternatives will navigate you in the correct direction.
Best Car Compass
| Car Compass | Type | Color(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Ritchie S-53 Explorer | Magnetic | 2 |
| Ritchie Voyager | Magnetic | 2 |
| Pyle PHUD19 | Digital | 1 |
| ACECAR T800 | Digital | 1 |
| VICTOR Suction | Magnetic | 1 |
Installing a car compass is fairly straightforward and use either a mounting bracket or suction cup. Many premium options come with lighting for night driving, which uses a 12V power source to increase visibility.
Ritchie are a leading marine and car compass brand but there are many alternatives that provide similar designs but with a cheaper price tag.
Below is a list of the best car compasses that will accurately provide directions to help navigate across rural areas.
Ritchie S-53 Explorer Car Compass
Ritchie are a highly reputable brand within the compasses industry and produce a range of different examples. The S-53 Explorer is designed to combine performance with value for money in order to be an excellent all-round car compass.
In terms of the installation, it is a bracket mounted design that can be mounted to the dashboard with ease.
Other features of the Ritchie S-53 Explorer include:
- 12V night lighting
- Includes a 5 year warranty
- Viewable from every angle
- 2 3/4″ (70mm) direct-read dial
- Available in a black or blue design
- Suitable for automotive or marine applications
- Built-in compensators for deviation adjustments
- Sapphire jewel and hardened steel pivot dial movement
The low profile design and internal green night illumination look great on most dashboards and it can be installed easily. Overall, it is the best car compass for the money and comes with a 5 year warranty for peace of mind.
Check it Out
Ritchie Voyager Car Compass
If you are able to increase your budget, the Ritchie Voyager model is the best option. Unlike the S-53 Explorer model, it has a larger dial diameter, more adjustable functionality and additional features.
To extend the operating range of the Voyager model, it uses a high temperature composite construction with a moveable sun shield.
Other features of the Ritchie Voyager Compass include:
- Adjustable and removable brackets
- Built-in green “NiteVu” illumination
- 45 degree lubber lines
- Powerful “DirectForce” magnets
- Built-in compensators for adjusting deviation
- Includes a 5 year warranty
Although most Ritchie brands come with a premium price tags, there are many reasons why they are a worthwhile investment. The brand claim that they are 100% repairable and come with an impressive 5 year warranty. The Voyager model is one of the best models they offer and will not disappoint.
Check it Out
Pyle PHUD19 Digital Compass For Car
Using a digital compass for your car is very desirable for many people as it can be easier to read in the day or night. It also doesn’t have the drawbacks of the older magnetic field functionality. There is a wide range of digital units available but most are designed primarily to be used as a car HUD.
Other features of the Plye PHUD19 Car Compass include:
- Plug and play installation
- Easily mounted to the dashboard
- Automatically syncs power with the ignition
- 2.6 inch LCD multi-color LCD display
- Dual core processor for real time data
There are many head up display units that feature a compass but the Pyle PHUD19 is the best option. The intuitive LCD display is easy to read and it allows you to configure the device to suit your requirements.
Check it Out
ACECAR T800 Digital Car Compass
Another digital compass for a car is the ACECAR T800, which is a premium option to the Pyle PHUD19 above. It uses a 4.3 inch TFT LCD screen that displays an intuitive compass display along with other HUD functionality.
It is a universal fit for almost any vehicles that is able to start or turn off automatically with the vehicles ignition.
Other features of the ACECAR T800 include:
- Compass, speed, RPM, water temperature, voltage and more
- Multi-function or single display
- Automatic and manual brightness adjustment
- 1 year warranty and CE FCC RoHS certification
- Includes all accessories to use it straightway
Although it comes with an expensive price tag, the larger display and lower profile design may be a worthwhile investment. For peace of mind, it is a digital car compass that has been certified and comes with a 1 year warranty.
Check it Out
VICTOR Suction Cup Mini Auto Compass
If you require a cheap car compass that is simple to install and maintain. Unlike the alternatives, it is a portable car compass that can be used for several applications.
A standout feature of the Victor car compass is the large lettering, which are easily readable at any mounting angle.
Other features of the Victor Auto Compass include:
- Free floating ball
- Black design
- Mini suction cup for universal fitting
- Liquid damping for fast settling on rough routes
It may not be the most accurate car compass but for navigating you in the correct direction, it is more than ideal. It is cheap, easy to read and installs in seconds to any vehicles using the mini suction cup.
Check it Out
Car Compass Buying Guide
Installing additional components such as a compass or even a boost gauge will be beneficial to the driver. Installing a compass for a car is more commonly found in off-road vehicles that drive within rural areas where GPS may not be available.
Due to the heads up displays becoming more affordable, they are often being used as a digital compass for cars. However, the classic magnetic style compass provides the OEM look and feel when installed correctly.
To help you make an informed buying decision, we have produced the below guide regarding car compasses.
Magnetic vs Digital
Choosing between a magnetic or digital car compass is a matter of preference. Traditional compasses use magnetic fields that can be mounted via Velcro, auto adhesive, suction cups or screwed into the dashboard for a more secure fit.
The best alternative is a digital car compass, which is available as a heads up display, rear view mirror attachment and other devices. They may require batteries or wiring but can be far easier to read and more visible at night.
Viewable Angle
Mounting the car compass on the dashboard is the main area for the installation. This is mainly because it can be viewable from every angle but the design of the compass can provide additional visibility.
Features such as large digits/lettering, compass points, movable sunshade and adjustable brackets are highly desirable.
Illumination at Night
Depending upon the usage of the car compass, you may require illumination for low level light conditions. Most premium options have the ability to light up using a 12V power source but others may use battery power. It is an important feature because trying to view the compass can be impossible at night.
Calibration
Depending upon the type of compass that you buy, it may require calibration. Failing to carry out this task can reduce the accuracy and defeat the object of the compass in the first place. We recommend that you stick to compasses with built-in stabilizers or have a free-floating design.
Design
The dash of your car may have limited space and you will want to choose a compass that will fit with room spare. Many brands offer low profile design that can be still be viewable at any angle. The last thing you want is a bulky compass that blocks your vision of the road or obstructs other components of the dashboard.
Installation of the Compass
As mentioned above, most are installed via Velcro, automotive adhesive, suction cups or permanently screwed into the dash. Velcro is the best option for temporary usage but may not be able withstand excessive motion if off-roading.
Many brands such as the desirable Ritchie compasses include a mounting bracket, which provide the most secure fitting. It will be permanent but it will not have the drawbacks of the velcro, adhesive or suction cup alternatives.
Conclusion
All of our recommendations are suited to a range of budgets and available as a magnetic or digital car compass. If you can stretch your budget, the Ritchie compasses are the best option and come with long warranties for peace of mind.
The cheaper alternatives may seem tempting but they will not be as accurate and may use cheap materials within the construction that will easily break.
The post The Best Car Compass 2019 appeared first on Pro Car Reviews.
