PNI V550, V600 Operation Manual

Operation Manual

V550/V600 DIGITALVehicleCompass

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONGRATULATIONS............................................................................................... 1

Compass Features ......................................................................................... 1-2

DISPLAY AND BUTTONS......................................................................................3-5

STEP I - INSTALLING (REPLACING) THE BATTERIES .......................................... 6

STEP 2- MOUNTING THE COMPASS .................................................................. 7-8

Mounting Guidelines.......................................................................................... 7

Mounting the Compass................................................................................... 7-8

STEP 3 - CALIBRATING THE COMPASS ........................................................... 9-11

When to Calibrate.............................................................................................. 9

Calibration Guidelines ....................................................................................... 9

Calibrating Model V550 ................................................................................9-10

Calibrating Model V600 ..............................................................................10-12

Car Mode Calibration (V600 only) ......................................................10-11

Hand Mode Calibration (V600 only) ...................................................11-12

SETTING AND USING THE COMPASS FEATURES ........................................ 13-15

Clock Feature .................................................................................................. 13

Bearing Point Feature ...................................................................................... 14

Trip Timer Feature ........................................................................................... 14

Alarm Clock Feature........................................................................................ 15

BACKLIGHT INFORMATION AND PROGRAMMING ............................................ 16

Backlight Auto Shut-off .................................................................................... 16

Changing the Auto Shut-off Value.................................................................... 16

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ................................................................ 17-20

SERVICE AND REPLACEMENT....................................................................... 21-22

WARRANTY INFORMATION ............................................................................. 23-24

TABLE OF CONTENTS

You have acquired one of the most
sophisticated compasses available for use
in a vehicle. This unit incorporates pat­ented magnetic sensor technology that
was developed for the United States Mil­itary to give you the most accurate elec­tronic compass headings.

Compass Features:

• Works in Any Vehicle: accurate in
cars, trucks, SUVs, or RVs.

• Removable Compass Unit: easily
slides off from its holding bracket to
be used outside the vehicle as an alarm
clock or to prevent theft.

• Adjustable Holding Bracket: easily
mounts to any windshield with heavy­duty suction cups (included).

• Handheld Mode (Model V600 only):
The V600 model can also be used as
a handheld compass in a horizontal
position without the need to recalibrate
everytime the compass is removed
from the vehicle.

• Easy to Read Display: compass head­ing is displayed with 16 cardinal points
(N, NNE, etc.) and 1° numeric digits.

• Electronic Calibration: just press a
button and perform two circles. Cal-

1

CONGRATULATIONS!

ibration doesn’t have to be repeated
until the batteries are removed or the
compass is mounted elsewhere.

• Bright Backlight: illuminates the LCD
for easy viewing day or night.

• Digital Clock: displays in 12-hour or
24-hour time format.

• Alarm Clock: compass can be used as
an alarm clock.

• Trip Timer: includes a timer that counts
up in hours, minutes and seconds.

• Bearing Point: stores and displays one
bearing point into memory.

• “Smart” Auto Shut-Off: shuts off auto-

matically (to clock mode) to save bat­tery power when no magnetic eld
change is detected for approximately
10 minutes.

• Magnetic Distortion Message: alerts
you when magnetic interference from
outside sources is affecting the accu­racy of the compass.

• Low Power Requirements: operates on
2 AAA batteries (included) for over
200 hours, depending on backlight
usage.

• Wide Temperature Range: -14°F to
140°F operating temperature; -40°F to
160°F storage temperature.

2

COMPASS FEATURES

DISPLAY AND BUTTONS

3

DISTORTION

[1] LCD Display

Showing:
a. Compass
Heading
Mode

[5] Alarm
Bell
Icon

Numeric
Heading

[2] ADVANCE
Button

[4] Distortion
Message

[3] LIGHT
Button

Cardinal Point

Heading

PM

b. Clock
Mode or
Off Mode

c. Bearing
Mode

d. Timer
Mode

AM

e. Alarm
Mode

[1] LCD Display: The compass has
various LCD display modes:

a. Compass Heading Mode - displays

heading information in cardinal points
(N, NNE, NE, etc.) and numeric digits
(325°, 326°, etc.).

b. Clock Mode - used to set and display

the clock in a 12-hour or 24-hour
format. Clock mode is also equiva­lent to shut-off mode.

c. Bearing Mode - used to store and

display bearing point information.

d. Timer Mode - used to set and start

trip timer feature.

e. Alarm Mode - used to set and view

alarm clock settings.

[2] ADVANCE Button:

Used to turn the unit on, to step through
the various compass modes, to toggle
between various options in programming
mode, and to begin and end calibration.

[3] LIGHT Button:

Used to turn the backlight on or off,
to enter backlight programming, and to
select an option or value in program­ming mode.

4

DISPLAY AND BUTTONS

DISPLAYS AND BUTTONS

5

[4]

“DISTORTION”

Message:

The compass detects when outside mag­netic interference is compromising com­pass accuracy by displaying the word

“DISTORTION”

on the LCD. Distortion
occurs when there has been a signicant
change in the surrounding magnetic
elds, such as when you are driving
underneath an overpass or over a bridge.

[5] Alarm Bell Icon:

Indicates if the alarm feature is enabled
(icon showing) or disabled (icon not
showing).

Note:

The V600 model also displays a “

CAr

” or

“

HAnd

” message for the rst 10 seconds of
Compass Heading Mode. This indicates
which calibration settings the compass is
using: car mode or hand mode (i.e verti­cal or horizontal position). These mes­sages do not appear with model V550.

Important Note:

When in “off mode”, your compass dis­plays the clock, not a blank screen. This
is normal and consumes minimal battery
power. To turn the power back on, press
any button.

The compass uses two “AAA” size bat­teries.

Installing the Batteries:

1. Remove the compass from its bracket.

2. Slide open the battery cover on the
back of the compass housing.

3. Install the two batteries, noting the
polarity as shown inside the battery
compartment. Replace the battery
cover. The compass will go through a
self-test pattern until the clock starts.

Notes:

• If nothing happens, or if the display

becomes “stuck” with characters,
remove the batteries, wait approxi­mately 1 minute, and then reinsert the
batteries.

• Every time the batteries are removed
or replaced, you must calibrate the
compass and reset all features (clock,
alarm, bearing point, etc.).

• The compass has an auto-shut off fea­ture. When no magnetic eld change
is detected for 10 minutes, the com­pass automatically switches to clock
mode (off mode). To turn the power
back on, press any button.

STEP 1 - INSTALLING (REPLACING) THE BATTERIES

6

Mounting Guidelines:

• The compass should be mounted on
the windshield.

• Choose a place on the windshield that
will not obstruct the view of the driver
and is within reach so the buttons can
be easily pushed.

• For maximum accuracy, the compass
should be mounted at least 5 inches
away from strong stereo speakers.

• Once installed, the face of the com­pass must be pointing towards the rear
of the vehicle. The compass can be

adjusted up or down, up to 20° from
road level and still remain accurate. If
it is adjusted more than 20°, the head­ing information may not be accurate.

Mounting the Compass:

1. Install the suction cups (included) onto
the base of the holding bracket by t­ting them into their holes.

2. Adjust the angle of the holding bracket
so that the face of the compass is
pointing towards the rear of the vehi­cle. Loosen the screw on the holding
bracket stem by a quarter turn. Make

STEP 2 - MOUNTING THE COMPASS

7

8

your up and down adjustments, then
tighten the screw.

3. Press the holding bracket base rmly
against the windshield, until the suc­tion cups securely take hold (clean sur­face of windshield and suction cups, if
necessary).

4. Readjust the angle of the holding
bracket, if necessary.

Feature: The compass easily slides
out of its holding bracket without
having to remove the bracket mecha­nism. This is useful if you want to

use the compass outside of the vehicle
as an alarm clock or to avoid theft of
the compass. Removing the compass
without disrupting the bracket mecha­nism eliminates the need for recalibra­tion, since the unit will be repositioned
in its holding bracket the same way as
when originally calibrated.

The V600 model allows the compass to
be used outside the vehicle as a hand­held compass in a horizontal position.

You are now ready to calibrate your
compass.

STEP 2 - MOUNTING THE COMPASS

Calibration allows the compass to separate
the earth’s eld from the magnetic elds
generated by your vehicle, and therefore
provides accurate heading information.

When to Calibrate:

• When the compass is used for the rst
time in a vehicle (or in handheld mode
for Model V600 only).

• When the compass is used in a different
location other than where previously cal­ibrated.

• When the magnetic “DISTORTION” mes­sage is continuously displayed.

• When the batteries are removed or

replaced.

Calibration Guidelines:

Before you begin calibration, the compass
must be mounted on the windshield in the
location where it will be used in the vehicle.
The backlight must also be off.

Calibrating compass Model V550:

1. Press the ADVANCE button until the
compass heading is displayed (Note: If
the “CAL” message ashes immediately
after you press the ADVANCE button,
proceed to step 3).

2. Press and hold for 2 seconds both the
ADVANCE and LIGHT buttons until the

STEP 3 - CALIBRATING THE COMPASS

9

10

“CAL” message ashes.

3. Press the ADVANCE button.- The “WAIT”

message will display for a second, then
the “TURN TWICE” message will ash.

4. Turn your vehicle in two circles on a
level surface. The size of the circles does
not matter and they do not need to be per­fect circles. However, they must be com­pleted in the same direction and must
take at least 15 seconds per circle to com­plete.

5. Press the ADVANCE button. Calibration
is now complete and the compass head­ing should be displayed.

Calibrating compass Model V600:

Model V600 stores two calibration settings,
one for use when the unit is mounted verti­cally inside the vehicle in its bracket (Car
Mode), the other for use outside the vehicle
in a horizontal position (Hand Mode). This
feature allows you to use the compass in
two different magnetic eld environments
(inside or outside) without having to cali­brate everytime you switch from one envi­ronment to the other.

Car Mode Calibration (V600):

1. Press the ADVANCE button until the
compass heading is displayed. If the

STEP 3 - CALIBRATING THE COMPASS

“HAnd” message shows instead of the
“CAr” message, press and hold for 2 sec­onds the ADVANCE button to switch
from HAnd” to “CAr” mode.

2. Press and hold for 2 seconds both the the
ADVANCE and LIGHT buttons until the
“CAL” message ashes.

3. Press the ADVANCE button - The “WAIT”
message will display for a second, then
the “TURN TWICE” message will ash.

4. Turn your vehicle in 2 circles on a level
surface. The size of the circles does not
matter and they do not need to be per­fect circles. However, they must be com­pleted in the same direction and must

take at least 15 seconds per circle to com­plete.

5. Press the ADVANCE button. Calibration
is now complete and the compass head­ing should be displayed. The “CAr” mes­sage will also show for approximately 10
seconds, indicating that you are in car
calibration mode.

Hand Mode Calibration (V600):

After car mode is calibrated you can then
calibrate hand mode. The rst time the V600
goes into handheld mode it needs to be cali­brated. The compass will store this separate
calibration for hand mode, and will use it in
the future.

STEP 3 - CALIBRATING THE COMPASS

11

Note: For this mode the compass should be
layed horizontal or layed at in the hand.

1. Press the ADVANCE button until the
compass heading is displayed. If the
“CAr” message shows instead of the
“HAnd” message, press and hold for 2
seconds the ADVANCE button to switch
from “CAr” to “HAnd” mode.

2. Press and hold for 2 seconds both the
ADVANCE and LIGHT buttons until the
“CAL” message ashes.

3. Press the ADVANCE button - The “WAIT”
message will ash for a second, then the
“TURN TWICE” message will ash.

4. Rotate the compass 2 complete rotations,
taking at least 15 seconds per rotation.

5. Press the ADVANCE button -- Calibra­tion is now complete and the compass
heading should be displayed. The “HAnd”
message will also show for approxi­mately 10 seconds, indicating that you
are in hand calibration mode.

Feature: Pressing the LIGHT button
during programming cancels the calibration
process without disrupting your previous
calibration settings. However, if no previ­ous calibration is stored, pressing the light
button will not cancel calibration.

STEP 3 - CALIBRATING THE COMPASS

12

SETTING AND USING THE COMPASS FEATURES

13

Clock Feature:

The compass displays time in either stan­dard time format or military time format
(12-hour clock format or 24-hour clock
format). The default time format is stan­dard time.

Setting the clock:

1. Press the ADVANCE button until the
clock is displayed (you must be in
clock mode in order to set the clock).

2. Press and hold the ADVANCE button
for 2 seconds. The default number
“12” will ash.

3. Press the ADVANCE button to toggle

between the 12 and 24 hour formats,
then press the LIGHT button to set the
desired hour format.

The clock appears with the hour digits

ashing.

5. Press the ADVANCE button to change
the ashing hour digits, then press the
LIGHT button to set the desired hour.

6. Press the ADVANCE button to change
the ashing rst digit of the minutes,
then press the LIGHT button to set the
desired digit.

7. Press the ADVANCE button to change
the ashing second digit of the min­utes, then press the LIGHT button to
set the desired digit.

8. Press the ADVANCE button to set
the ashing seconds, then press the
LIGHT button to set the seconds to
“00.”

9. Press the ADVANCE button to toggle
between A or P (AM or PM), then
press the LIGHT button to set A
or P (This step is not required if
you have selected the 24-hour format).
The clock is now set

Bearing Point Feature:

The bearing point feature allows the
compass to store one heading to be used
as a reference point.

1. Press the ADVANCE button until

bearing mode is selected. “00” should
be shown before any headings are
entered.

2. Press and hold the ADVANCE button
for 2 seconds. After the tone, the cur­rent compass direction is stored as the
bearing. Repeat to enter new bearing.

SETTING AND USING THE COMPASS FEATURES

14

Trip Timer Feature:

The compass features a standard timer
that counts up in hours, minutes, and
seconds. It can be started and stopped
any number of times. A tone will sound
with each start and stop of the timer.

1. Press the ADVANCE button until
timer mode is displayed. Timer should
start at “00:00:00”.

2. Press and hold the ADVANCE button
for 2 seconds to start timer.

3. Press and hold the ADVANCE button
for 2 seconds to pause timer.

4. To reset timer, press and hold the
ADVANCE button for 4 seconds.

Alarm Clock Feature:

The compass can be used as an alarm
clock. You must be in alarm mode to set
the alarm.

Setting the Alarm:

1. Press the ADVANCE button until
alarm mode is selected (display should
show “AL 12:00am” if rst time being
set).

2. Press and hold the ADVANCE button
for 2 seconds. The hour digits will

SETTING AND USING THE COMPASS FEATURES

15

16

SETTING AND USING THE COMPASS FEATURES

then ash (“12” if rst time being
set).

3. Press the ADVANCE button to change

hour. Display will show “am” or “pm”
according to what hour is shown.

4. Press the LIGHT button to set the
desired hour.

5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 to select the min­utes.

6. After minutes are selected and the
LIGHT button is pressed, the alarm is
set and the alarm bell icon will appear
on the LCD screen. The alarm bell

icon means the alarm is enabled.

Enabling and Disabling the Alarm:

1. Press the ADVANCE button until
alarm mode is selected.

2. Press and hold for 2 seconds both the
ADVANCE and LIGHT buttons until
you hear a conrming beep and the
bell icon appears or disappears.

The compass uses an electro-lumines­cent backlight to illuminate the display,
making it visible at night. Pressing the
LIGHT button turns the backlight on or
off. The backlight has a programmable
auto shut-off feature, which shuts the
backlight off after it has been on for a
specied period of time.

Backlight Auto Shut-off:

The compass has a programmable auto
shut-off for the backlight. The default auto
shut-off value is 10 seconds, but 30 sec­onds can also be selected. Auto shut-off
can also be disabled completely by select-

ing 00 seconds. This means the backlight
will stay on continuously until the LIGHT
button is pressed again, or when the vehi­cle is parked and no magnetic eld change
is detected for ten minutes.

Changing the Auto Shut-Off Value:

1. Press and hold the LIGHT button for 2
seconds and the default value 10 (or last
selected value) will appear and ash.

2. Press the ADVANCE button to select
the desired value of 10, 30, or 00 sec­onds.

3. Press and hold the LIGHT button for 2
seconds to select the value. The clock
display will appear.

BACKLIGHT INFORMATION AND PROGRAMMING

17

How does the compass work?

The compass uses a patented magnetic
sensor technology that was developed by
PNI Corporation for the U.S. Military.
This technology is called Magneto-Induc­tive and is the largest advance in compass
technology since the uxgate was invented
60 years ago. The earth generates a mag­netic eld, and through a mathematical cal­culation, compass heading is determined.
The Magneto-Inductive technology is able
to electronically sense the difference in the
earth’s eld from your vehicle’s magnetic
eld. The unit’s microprocessor electron­ically subtracts your vehicle’s magnetic

elds, displaying highly accurate compass
readings. Magneto-Inductive sensor tech­nology has many advantages over other
technologies including better performance,
consuming less power and being less
expensive. These advantages have made
Magneto-Inductive sensor technology the
choice for many high prole compass
applications including Chrysler, GM, and
Ford automobiles, Polaris jet skis, Bay­liner boats and Timex watches.

Where can the compass be used?

The compass can be used in any type of
vehicle including cars, trucks, vans, SUVs,
and RVs. The V600 can be used outside

18

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

the vehicle as a handheld compass.

How do I read the display?

The compass displays direction in 2 differ­ent formats (1) cardinal points (N, NNE,
NE, E, etc.) and (2) numeric digits (325°,
330°, etc.) The 16 cardinal points of a
compass (N, NNE, NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE,
SSE, S, SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW,
NNW) give you a general sense of direc­tion. The numeric digits show your exact
direction down to the nearest 1 degree.

What is calibration and why is it
necessary?

Calibration is the process whereby the

compass separates the earth’s magnetic
eld from externally generated magnetic
elds such as those generated by a vehi­cle’s steel body or electronics. Without
calibration, the compass thinks the entire
magnetic eld it is reading is from the
earth and consequently

displays inac-

curate compass readings.

When do I need to calibrate the compass?

The compass needs to be calibrated when
used for the rst time, when used in
an environment with a different magnetic
eld or when the batteries are removed or
replaced. Using the compass in a different
environment includes moving it to a new

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

19

position in the same vehicle, installing it in
a different vehicle, or when there has been
a change to your vehicle such as installa­tion of a new stereo. The V600 needs to be
calibrated when used as a handheld com­pass outside the vehicle for the rst time.

What are the benets of Car Mode and
Hand Mode (

Model V600 only):

Model V600 includes an additional elec­tronic sensor which allows it to store two
calibration settings, one for use when
the unit is mounted vertically inside the
vehicle in its bracket (Car Mode), the
other for use outside the vehicle in a

horizontal position (Hand Mode). This
allows you to use the compass in two
different magnetic eld environments
(inside or outside) without having to cal­ibrate everytime you switch from one
environment to the other.

Can Model V550 be used in a handheld
mode outside of the vehicle?

Yes. However, unlike model V600 which
can store two calibration settings, the V550
model has to be calibrated everytime it
is removed from its holding bracket and
used outdoors, then calibrated again when
replaced in its holding bracket. In addi-

20

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

tion, the V550 can only be calibrated and
held in a vertical position.

What happens when the batteries are
removed?

Removing the batteries from the unit
erases all the information that was stored
in memory including the time, alarm,
bearing point, etc., as well as
calibration information. After removing
the batteries, the unit must be recalibrated
and the information reset.

What is magnetic distortion?

Many things generate external magnetic
elds that can cause a compass to be inac-

curate, such as metal and electronics. Your
compass senses when there has been a sig­nicant change in magnetic elds and dis­plays the “

DISTORTION

” message. This may
occur when driving over a bridge, under
an overpass, over railroad tracks or within
close proximity to something with a strong
magnetic eld. Once the vehicle has
moved away from the source of interfer­ence, the compass will be accurate again.
If the “

DISTORTION

” message is continuously
displayed, it is usually a sign that there
has been a signicant change in magnetic
elds and recalibration is necessary.

21

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

For the fastest service, contact or return
your compass to the place of purchase.

If you wish to return the unit for replace­ment or repair to PNI, please follow the
following procedures:

1. Obtain a Return Merchandise Autho­rization (RMA) number by contacting
PNI:

• By Phone: [phone] (Toll­Free within the U.S. only) or at
707-566-2260

• By Fax: [phone]

• By E-mail: [e-mail]

2. Provide a proof of purchase, such as
a mechanical reproduction or carbon
copy of a sales receipt. If you
send your original receipt, it cannot
be returned. Proof-of-purchase must
show printed date of purchase, model
number, and place of purchase.

Once you have acquired a RMA number,
pack the unit securely to prevent damage
in transit. If possible, use the original
packing material and box. Be sure to
send the entire product.

3. Ship prepaid and insured by way of
a traceable carrier: such as United

SERVICE AND REPLACEMENT

22

Parcel Service (UPS), Roadway Parcel
Service (RPS), or First Class Mail to
avoid loss in transit.

4. With the issued RMA number written
on the outside of your package, send
your proof-of-purchase and descrip­tion of the problem to:

PNI Corporation

5464 Skylane Boulevard, Suite A

Santa Rosa, CA 95403-1084

Type or print your name and address
where the replacement should be deliv­ered. After receipt of your documents
and unit, a replacement unit will be sent
to you.

Please allow 2-3 weeks from receipt of
your returned product to delivery of your
replacement.

23

SERVICE AND REPLACEMENT

PNI Corporation warrants to the original user that this product will be free of defects in workmanship and materials for one
(1) year from the date of purchase. This warranty does not cover wear and tear due to normal use, or damage to the product
as the result of improper usage, neglect of care, alteration, accident or unauthorized repair.

If the product is found by PNI to be defective and you have provided proof of purchase acceptable to PNI, PNI’s entire liability
and your exclusive remedy for breach of warranty shall be that PNI, at its option, will replace or repair the product and return
the replacement or repaired product to you at no charge, provided that you ship the product to PNI at your expense. PNI war­rants the repaired or replaced product to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of the greater of: (i)
ninety (90) days from the date it is shipped to you; or (ii) the period of time remaining on the original one (1) year warranty.

THE FOREGOING WARRANTY IS GIVEN IN LIEU OF AND PNI DISCLAIMS ALL OTHER WARRANTIES OR REPRESEN­TATIONS, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, IN FACT OR IN LAW, WITH RESPECT TO THIS PRODUCT, INCLUDING, BUT
NOT LIMITED TO, (1) THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE, OR (2) THAT USE OF THE PRODUCT WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED AND ERROR FREE.

PNI shall have no liability for any indirect or speculative damages (including, but not limited to, consequential, incidental and
special damages) relating to the use of or inability to use this product, whether arising out of contract, negligence, tort, or
under any warranty theory, or for infringement of any other party’s intellectual property rights, irrespective of whether PNI had
advance notice of the possibility of any such damages, including, but not limited to, loss of use, revenue or prot. In no event
shall PNI’s total liability for all claims regarding the product exceed the price paid for the product. PNI neither assumes nor
authorizes anyone to assume for it any other liabilities.

LIMITED WARRANTY; LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

24

PNI Corporation www.pnicorp.com

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