compass and thermometer for commuter bike
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,144
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From: cherry hill, nj
compass and thermometer for commuter bike
My friend who I work with started riding to work but wants a digitil compass and thermometer for his bike. He is an older guy and digitil is his thing.
Any recomendations?
Any recomendations?
#2
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,834
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From: Minneapolis, MN
Bikes: 05 Trek 5200, 07 Trek 520, 99 GT Karakoram, 08 Surly 1X1
Hey chef...
If he's a digi guy, he probably has a smartphone, which has a great digital compass app as well as current weather by location.
I have this temp gauge and compass clipped to my touring panniers.
If he's a digi guy, he probably has a smartphone, which has a great digital compass app as well as current weather by location.
I have this temp gauge and compass clipped to my touring panniers.
#6
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 848
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From: Fort Collins CO
Bikes: Kona Dew, Kona Ute, Salsa Timberjack, Salsa Fargo, New belgium brewery cruisers-2014 and 2009 and 2007
I have the watch on my commuter bike, love it. My sigma computer on my tourer has a temperature function that is not listed in the literature, but no compass. The last digital compass I had on a watch was pretty bad anyway.
garmin bike computers have lots of bells and whistles.
garmin bike computers have lots of bells and whistles.
#8
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Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Minnesota
Bikes: Cannondale '92 T600 '95 H600 '01 RT1000
I don't often succumb to "I just have to have it!" but when I saw this, my tandem needed it desperately. Unfortunately, my two commuting bikes are older and have quill stems, or they'd have something too. One "issue" with the thermometer is the typical inaccurate reading when it's in direct sunlight. But it's been great for an annual week long bike ride, checking morning temps to figure out what to start out wearing.
#9
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 12,948
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From: England
My stem cap has the cardinal points (EWNS) engraved but no compass pointer needle. It is correct twice a day.
One of the neatest little compasses is the pin on pilots button compass by marble.
One of the neatest little compasses is the pin on pilots button compass by marble.
#10
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Joined: May 2007
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From: Raleigh, NC
Bikes: Waterford RST-22, Bob Jackson World Tour, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Soma Saga, De Bernardi SL, Specialized Sequoia
I would be very skeptical about the accuracy of Stem Pilots for temperatures and compass readings. Temperatures would be inflated by sunlight, I would think, and I can't believe the compass would be accurate on a steel frame. Correct me if I am wrong, those who have used them.
#11
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
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From: NW,Oregon Coast
Bikes: 8
.. surrounding a compass with steel anywhere close.. makes problems.
Steel ships have the 'Captains Balls' big hunks of iron on either side of the ships compass
that got adjusted to compensate .. so mag north was really mag north.
true north is a declination line read off the Nav charts.
Steel ships have the 'Captains Balls' big hunks of iron on either side of the ships compass
that got adjusted to compensate .. so mag north was really mag north.
true north is a declination line read off the Nav charts.
Last edited by fietsbob; 02-03-12 at 12:48 PM.
#12
I don't often succumb to "I just have to have it!" but when I saw this, my tandem needed it desperately. Unfortunately, my two commuting bikes are older and have quill stems, or they'd have something too. One "issue" with the thermometer is the typical inaccurate reading when it's in direct sunlight. But it's been great for an annual week long bike ride, checking morning temps to figure out what to start out wearing.
Maybe this year. It's more for the cool factor than accuracy which I figured would be suspect anytime it's in the sun. I did have an email exchange with the Stem CAPtain folks explaining that the thermometer bottomed out too soon for my commuting needs. It should start at -30 or -20 at minimum.
They haven't changed it yet.
The compass could be useful at times but it's not as nice looking as either the clock or the thermometer.
#13
I would be very skeptical about the accuracy of Stem Pilots for temperatures and compass readings. Temperatures would be inflated by sunlight, I would think, and I can't believe the compass would be accurate on a steel frame. Correct me if I am wrong, those who have used them.
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