MB-BOB

I read your post on your ash tray compass. I've wanted a compass for my C320 (don't know why MB doesn't include one along with a CD player as standard, but that's another debate). However, I couldn't think of a discreet way of mounting it in the car (I draw the line at mounting a floating ball compass on my dash). But, your idea of stuffing an electronic unit in the ash tray area is cool.

I checked Sharper Image and they do have a very nice unit that gives compass readings, along with elevation measurements, temperatures, barometric pressure and even weather predictions. There is a website that sells a whole array of compasses, including the Sharper Image model:

Electronic Compass.com

But, I do have a couple questions.

What size is your compass? Yours obviously fits, but the current model at Sharper Image could be a squeeze. Is the compass accurate when mounted deep below the radio in the console area (where all those radio waves live)? What color is the back lighting at night? Did you hardwire the compass to 12v power to circumvent the battery issue, and if so, how did you get wiring into the ash tray area, etc?

Rick

[QUOTE]Originally posted by MB-BOB
[B]
What size is your compass? 5.25x3.25
Yours obviously fits, but the current model at Sharper Image could be a squeeze. Nah!
Is the compass accurate when mounted deep below the radio in the console area? yup!!
What color is the back lighting at night? Indiglo Blue
Did you hardwire the compass to 12v power to circumvent the battery issue, and if so, how did you get wiring into the ash tray area, etc? It's an AA battery set up.

I recently saw the same model I have at www.heartlandamerica.com, cheaper than I paid! Search for the manufacturer's name...."Co-Pilot". The compas gives you 16 deliniations bold alpha-numeric display for degrees/direction (NNW/325)
Also displays a trip timer (never used it) and count down timer (also never used)....

The new Sharper Image one is sweet....but I bought mine for my last car and just carried it over.

Rick

Remove the comma fom the link above....or use this one
www.heartlandamerica.com

MB-BOB

Thanks a whole Bunch, Rick. The Heartland America model is nice, too. AND, a whole lot cheaper (at $50) compared to $129. Hmmm. What to do? What to do?

Lynn

MB-BOB, the solution is obvious. You should trade your car for one with COMAND.

newMBz

Rick, Its a good item you added on your c couple. I like it very much myself. Thanks for the info.

MB-BOB

If I traded my car in for one with Comand, what would I do with the map pockets behind the front seats (sedans)?

Lynn

You could still put your maps there. They would just be the digital maps on the COMAND cd-roms.

Rick

What to do? jeeeeeez...use some imagination there, big guy

(hint: print the item description out and leave it on your kitchen counter with your credit card ...the wife will have a brilliant revelation of what to get you for a holiday gift this year)

MB-BOB

We're thinking on the same page... My better half is asking me what I want for Christmas, and I've given her a printout of the advert. I didn't offer my credit card, though. She has her own, and knows how to bend it well without my help!

mmutlu

Do you have any pics of the compass installed?

MarkL

Hey guys, your talk about the compass got me interested. I used to have one built in to the rearview mirror on a previous car. I just ordered the "Co Pilot" from heartlandamerica. The page for the item said "in stock", but at checkout, it said availability expected 12/13. We'll see...

mmutlu

I just ordered one too from heartlandamerica.com. Order tracking does not work until after one business day when they process the the order and check it in the system - I thought that was not a good sign-. It seems it will be a slow one.

MarkL

I just checked again, and my order now says "in process". Should be a good sign.

mmutlu

I am sorry to say but heartlandamerica.com sucks big time. My order showed up I believe at most a couple daysn on their web site in the order tracking section.. then the whole time until now all I see is "no order found in the database" message. When I called they said it's in the mail however I figured out that they just sent it today through US postal service regular mail. Order day 11/28, processed and sent 12/03 and I am going to receive in up to 7 business days.

MarkL

when I checked my order again and it said "no record found". They said it means it was shipped when it is no longer in the database. I called again yesterday and they said it was shipped 12/1. I asked "are you sure it was shipped", they said it shows 1 ordered 1 shipped, so "yes". How did you find out they shipped yours today? Even so, 3 days (not counting weekend) from order to ship isn't so bad. We'll see what happens.