Customer Reviews: Read 20 more reviews...
 You have to understand January 27, 2005
80 out of 82 found this review helpful
I am a Professional Land Surveyor. I purchased a V7000 for my new vehicle primarily for the compass and exterior temperature. When properly calibrated, using the simple instructions, the unit is quite accurate. However, if you move the unit even a few inches, the calibration is lost. Decide where the unit will live, and ride around a while. Move it, if you will, and ride some more. Once you are satisfied with the location, go through the calibration steps. You will obtain a very accurate magnetic meridian. Then check the variation for you area using the included map or referenced web site. Unless you move the compass or the battery dies, it will reliably show your direction.
The outside thermometer, once mounted in the grille, agrees with the radio temperature (you know, when the man says, "It's 23 degrees in Miami today") within a degree or two, well within the variations in ambient temperature. And, if the outside temp is dropping, the flashing ICE message is a very helpful warning.
However, expecting the inexpensive barometer circuitry to accurately measure elevation is ludicrous. Reasonably close elevation measurement is beyond the capability of anything costing less than several thousand dollars. A 1" change in pressure results in a 1,000' change in elevation. Most cheap barometer do not compensate for the temperature fluctuations that affect their measurement, and thereby do not give reliable pressure readings. Since a change of 0.01" in pressure relates to 10 feet, and 0.10" is a hundred feet, the altimeter feature should be considered as useful for entertainment purposes only.
The "forecast" feature is a novelty at best. Traditionally, a falling barometer indicates bad weather, but if you pay any attention to your local weather forecast, it rains while the pressure rises and it rains while it falls. It's sunny while the pressure falls, and it's sunny while the pressure drops. The whole idea that a falling barometer means rain, and a steady or rising barometer means clear skys is pure bunk. And yes, hurricanes are formed by extremely low pressure centers, but they fall apart over land. While there is fault to be laid at the feet of PNI for including such a gimmick, anyone who really needs to know the forecast should listen to the radio or TV instead of depending on a $100 compass and temperature unit installed in the car.
As far as calibrating the pressure, forget it. The inherent error in the unit is so great as to make it a futile exercise. However, as you ride though the Rockies or the Catskills, you may be entertained as the readout increases (yes, increases) as you go downhill and decreases as you climb. What the heck, why do YOu need to know the elevation (oh, do NOT use this instrument to determine if you are in a special flood hazard area-- bad circumstances may result).
The LCD is bright under all light conditions, the auto-off feature and auto-on are very convenient, the auto-backlight is very nice, the unit is big enough to read easily and small enough to be inobtrusive. It's a shame other reviewers did not understand the limitations of using a cheap barometric sensor to determine elevation.
I'm satisfied with it.
Up, Down, All Around This Is a Terrific Gizmo August 10, 2003
26 out of 29 found this review helpful
At some point in your driving life you've probably asked yourself..."self, which way am I going, what is my altitude, what is the temperature outside?" Well this little box has all the answers.No, it isn't a GPS, it won't tell you how many miles to your destination but it is probably the most accurate compass you'll ever find for an automobile. The altitude reading works exactly like most aircraft, it's based on barometric pressure so it varies a little day by day. You may have seen a review or two that indicates the V7000 needs constant recalibration. That's sort of true but, a single press of a button re-calibrates the units elevation reading so how hard could it be? Don't know the altitude of your home? Again not a problem. Use a GPS (your own or borrow from a neighbor) to get the figure or drive to your local airport. Set the unit to that elevation then drive home. Note the difference and re-set the base altitude for your home. You'll never have to do it again unless you remove all power from the V7000. If you're looking for ultimate accuracy so the V7000 will always match up with road maps you set the declanation angle (remember that from Boy Scout compass reading sessions? It's the deviation from true north for your location). Again, not a problem, PNI supplies a map with the numbers in the instruction book or you can get your precise angle online from a government web page (address is in the instructions). The V7000 has a mellow green backlight that automatically turns on/off at night. The unit senses when you've started your vehicle and when you've stopped, turning itself on/off automatically. In short, you really don't have to touch it again unless you want to change the display. I give this gadget a big thumbs up. (...)
 Not Reliable December 3, 2003
20 out of 20 found this review helpful
I found this compass disappointing. As a sailor I am use to the accuracy of Loran, GPS and marine compasses. I suspect that the problem is not the instrument itself, but the difficulty of compensating for the magnetic influences in a car. The PNI often gives erroneous directional information. My unit has developed a defect after less than 6 months of infrequent use. The 'off' button doesn't work. The unit eventually turns itself off. It is an interesting gadget, but a good road map is a better value.
 Do Not Do Business with this company December 13, 2003
16 out of 17 found this review helpful
I bought one of these computers and it broke within two months. They sent me a replacement and it broke. Now they will not even look at it. They said it is 'probably out of warranty and too expensive to bother fixing'. I could accept a defective product if they had good customer service, or vice versa. Instead, they have a crappy product and worse customer service. Avoid them!Kevin L
Parker, CO
Extra Features Are Inaccurate and Not Worth The Money January 14, 2004
16 out of 16 found this review helpful
As a compass, this unit appears to function properly. The additional features are a waste of money. The altimeter must constantly be adjusted (During the course of a drive from to NY to VT, it will be off by several hundred feet). If the car is turned off, the altimeter must be recalibrated. The Weather Predictor has always said SUN... never anything else. I made the mistake of hardwiring the power cable to my 12Volt power port myself (not purchasing the PNI wiring kit). This voided my warranty, and I could not return the unit. I wired it 2 months after I bought the unit, the problems were always there.
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