PNI V500 User manual

V500 DIGITALVehicleCompass
Operation Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS
CONGRATULATIONS .......................................................................... 1
V500 Features ............................................................................ 1-2
DISPLAY AND BUTTONS................................................................. 3-4
STEP I - INSTALLING THE BATTERIES ............................................. 5
STEP 2- MOUNTING THE V500.......................................................... 6
Mounting Guidelines...................................................................... 6
Mounting the V500...................................................................... 6-7
STEP 3 - CALIBRATING THE V500.................................................. 8-9
When to Calibrate.......................................................................... 8
Calibration Guidelines.................................................................... 8
Calibrating the V500 ................................................................... 8-9

STEP 4 - SETTING THE CLOCK....................................................... 10
BACKLIGHT INFORMATION AND PROGRAMMING........................ 11
Backlight Auto Shut-off ................................................................ 11
Changing the Auto Shut-off Value................................................ 11
CHANGING THE BATTERIES ...................................................... 12-13
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ........................................... 14-16
SERVICE AND REPLACEMENT .................................................. 17-18
WARRANTY INFORMATION ........................................................ 19-20
TABLE OF CONTENTS

You have acquired one of the most
sophisticated compasses available for
use in a vehicle. The V500 incorpo-
rates patented magnetic sensor technol-
ogy that was developed for the United
States Military to give you the most
accurate electronic compass headings.
The V500 offers advanced features
such as an extra bright backlight dis-
play for night driving as well as a
built-in digital clock. The compass
unit can also be easily removed from
its holding bracket to be used outside
the vehicle as a clock or to prevent
theft.
V500 Features:
• Works in Any Vehicle: accurate in
all types of vehicles - cars, trucks,
SUVs, or RVs.
• Removable Compass Unit: compass
easily slides off from its holding
bracket to be used outside the vehicle
as a clock or to prevent theft.
• Adjustable Holding Bracket: easily
mounts to any windshield with heavy-
duty suction cups (included).
• Easy to Read Display: compass head-
ing is displayed with 16 cardinal
points (N, NNE, NE, etc.) and 5°
numeric digits (345°, 350°, etc.).
1
CONGRATULATIONS!

• Electronic Calibration: no manual
adjustments are needed, just press a
button and drive your vehicle in two
circles. Calibration doesn’t have to be
repeated until the batteries are removed
or the compass is mounted elsewhere.
• On-Screen Help: short instructions
appear automatically to make program-
ming and button handling easier (ex.
“Hold to set”, “Distortion”, etc.).
• Bright Backlight: illuminates the LCD
for easy viewing day or night.
• Digital Clock: displays in 12-hour or
24-hour time format.
• “Smart” Auto Shut-Off: turns off auto-
matically to save battery power when
the vehicle is parked and no magnetic
eld change is detected for ten min-
utes.
• Magnetic Distortion Message: alerts
you when magnetic interference from
outside sources is affecting the accu-
racy of the compass.
• Low Power Requirements: operates
on 2 “AAA” batteries (included) for
over 200 hours, depending on back-
light usage.
• Wide Temperature Range: -14°F to
140°F operating temperature; -40°F to
160°F storage temperature.
• Accuracy of +/- 5° and resolution
of 5°.
2
V500 FEATURES

DISPLAY AND BUTTONS
3
DISTORTION
Cardinal Point
Heading
[3] LIGHT
Button
[2] ADVANCE
Button
Numeric
Heading
[4] DISTORTION
Message
[1] LCD
DISPLAY
2:53:37
PM
Clock Mode
Display

[1] LCD Display:
The V500 has 2 modes:
1. Compass Heading Mode - displayed
in 16 Cardinal Points Headings
(N, NNW, ENE, E, etc.) and in 5°
numeric digits (325°, 350°, etc.) with
a resolution of 5°.
2. Clock Mode - displayed in a 12 or
24-hour format
[2] ADVANCE Button:
Used to turn the unit on, to step through
the various compass modes, to toggle
between various options in program-
ming mode, and to begin and end cali-
bration.
[3] LIGHT Button:
Used to turn the backlight on or off, to
enter backlight programming, and to
select an option or value in program-
ming mode.
[4] “DISTORTION” Message:
The V500 detects when outside mag-
netic interference is compromising
compass accuracy by displaying the
word “DISTORTION” on the LCD. Dis-
tortion 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.
4
DISPLAY AND BUTTONS

The V500 uses two “AAA” size batteries
(provided).
Installing the Batteries:
1. Remove the compass from its holding
bracket and place it on a solid surface
with the LCD facing down and the
back of the compass facing up.
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 battery cover.
Once the batteries are inserted, the V500
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 approxi-
mately 1 minute, and then reinsert
them. Make sure the batteries are posi-
tioned correctly.
• If the batteries are removed or replaced,
you must recalibrate the compass and
set the clock (see pages 8-10).
• The V500 has an auto shut off power.
When you have parked your vehicle
and no magnetic eld change has been
detected for approximately 10 minutes,
the compass automatically times out to
clock mode. To turn the power back
on, press any button.
STEP 1 - INSTALLING THE BATTERIES
5

Mounting Guidelines:
• The V500 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 but-
tons can be easily pushed.
• For maximum accuracy, the V500
should be mounted at least 5 inches
away from strong stereo speakers.
• Once installed, the face of the com-
pass must be pointing towards the
rear of the vehicle. The compass can
be adjusted vertically, up to ±20°
from road level and still remain accu-
rate. If it is adjusted more than 20°,
the heading information may not be
accurate.
Mounting the V500:
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 com-
pass is pointing towards the rear of
the vehicle. Loosen the screw on
the holding bracket stem by a quar-
ter turn. Make your up and down
adjustments, then tighten the screw.
STEP 2 - MOUNTING THE V500
6

3. Press the holding bracket base rmly
against the windshield, until the suc-
tion 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 mecha-
nism. This is useful if you want to use
the compass outside of the vehicle as
a clock or to avoid theft. 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 origi-
nally calibrated.
You are now ready to calibrate your
compass.
7
STEP 2 - MOUNTING THE V500