Telltale Compass

Smart phone? Or Cheap android tablet could be the answer...

Think you'd pick one up FAR cheaper than any of the dedicated upside down jobs. Just check with the cheap ones that they have GPS and a fluxgate compass.

There are plenty of apps out there so you'll easy find one that displays compass as a digital reading so can be upside down? I'm assuming it'll work upside down.

Can also programme it to have an anchor alarm using GPS. ( https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.meditgbr.android.anchoralarm&hl=en ) Or this one would let you set an non-circular zone which I guess will warn you if the wind/tide has shifted... https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.schumisoft

Normally I'd worry about (a) them getting wet and (b) the battery life for anyone using both of these options.

(a) I'm assuming would bedry at the nav table or bunk. If not there are water resistant smart phones available now. Or put it in a waterproof bag but that affects (b).

(b) Run some power to it if it has a permanent mount. Just make sure it has enough mAmps available to juice it with the GPS running as some pull more than 500mA (standard USB limit) with GPS.

Download navionics (~£20) to it and you've got a backup plotter for it too..
 
My Furia has the inside of the cockpit compass protruding through the back wall of the heads. When you're sitting on the bog, you can read the compass in the mirror on the door. Brilliant idea from someone.
 
Further information. I contacted Marine Compasses.

On 14/12/2013 22:34, Norman wrote:
> Hi,
> I'm looking for an unsophisticated compass, which can be mounted upside down on the deckhead above my bunk. This is so that when at anchor, I can see if the wind has changed direction. Do you have anything suitable?
> Thanks, Norman.

--
(Marine Compasses is a trading name of Rivatech Solutions Ltd)

Hi Norman,

I'm afraid that what you are trying to do is not possible.

We do have compasses, such as the SIlva 70P, that can be mounted in any
attitude - however, the compass card will always remain upright so if
mounted upside down you would only see the bottom of the card.

What you would require is a compass that has the card marked on the
underside and, as far as I know, no one produces such a compass.

Best regards,

Ian
 
NormanS said:
Further information. I contacted Marine Compasses.

On 14/12/2013 22:34, Norman wrote:
> Hi,
> I'm looking for an unsophisticated compass, which can be mounted upside down on the deckhead above my bunk. This is so that when at anchor, I can see if the wind has changed direction. Do you have anything suitable?
> Thanks, Norman.

--
(Marine Compasses is a trading name of Rivatech Solutions Ltd)

Hi Norman,

I'm afraid that what you are trying to do is not possible.

We do have compasses, such as the SIlva 70P, that can be mounted in any
attitude - however, the compass card will always remain upright so if
mounted upside down you would only see the bottom of the card.

What you would require is a compass that has the card marked on the
underside and, as far as I know, no one produces such a compass.

Best regards,

Ian
Click to expand...

I think they have misunderstood what you are trying to achieve. The silva compass works in any orientation. Of course if you are DIRECTLY underneath it then what they say is true. But mounted overhead in the cabin the compass will work perfectly, mine does.
 
dylan said:
I think they have misunderstood what you are trying to achieve. The silva compass works in any orientation. Of course if you are DIRECTLY underneath it then what they say is true. But mounted overhead in the cabin the compass will work perfectly, mine does.
Click to expand...

What I am looking for is a compass, mounted on the deckhead directly above my head in my bunk, so that when I wake in the middle of the night, I can glance up at it to see the boat's heading. I reckon that "Marine Compasses" has completely understood precisely what I am trying to achieve. But thanks all the same.
 
NormanS said:
What I am looking for is a compass, mounted on the deckhead directly above my head in my bunk, so that when I wake in the middle of the night, I can glance up at it to see the boat's heading. I reckon that "Marine Compasses" has completely understood precisely what I am trying to achieve. But thanks all the same.
Click to expand...

Why DIRECTLY above your head? A foot or so away would do surely?
 
I think the solution might be a cheap "walking compass". Silva make one at £2 or £3. I"ll have a look at one to see if they are transparent.
 
NormanS said:
I think the solution might be a cheap "walking compass". Silva make one at £2 or £3. I"ll have a look at one to see if they are transparent.
Click to expand...

My Silva handbearing compass is mounted above my bunk at about where my waist would be. If I didn't need glasses these days I could read it perfectly :)
 
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