PNI V550 User manual

V550
V600
OPERATION MANUAL
DIGITALVEHICLECOMPASS
PNIC V550 Manual PN80-0231-0002-RevA.indd8/8/2001, 4:18 PM1

Making Ordinary Products Extraordinary
PNIC V550 Manual PN80-0231-0002-RevA.indd8/8/2001, 4:18 PM2-3

Congratulations............................................................................................................................1
Compass Features.......................................................................................................................2
Display And Buttons.................................................................................................................. 3
Step 1 – Installing (Replacing) The Batteries............................................................................6
Step 2– Mounting The Compass................................................................................................7
Mounting Guidelines.............................................................................................................. 7
Mounting The Compass..........................................................................................................7
Step 3 – Calibrating The Compass.............................................................................................9
When To Calibrate...................................................................................................................9
Calibration Guidelines............................................................................................................ 9
Calibrating Model V550......................................................................................................... 9
Calibrating Model V600........................................................................................................10
Car Mode Calibration (V600 Only)......................................................................................11
Hand Mode Calibration (V600 Only).................................................................................. 11
CONTENTS
3
PNIC V550 Manual PN80-0231-0002-RevA.indd8/8/2001, 4:18 PM2-3

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Setting And Using The Compass Features..............................................................................
Clock Feature....................................................................................................................... 14
Bearing Point Feature........................................................................................................... 15
Trip Timer Feature................................................................................................................ 16
Alarm Clock Feature............................................................................................................. 16
Backlight Information And Programming........................................................................... 18
Backlight Auto Shut-off.........................................................................................................18
Changing The Auto Shut-off Value.......................................................................................18
Frequently Asked Questions................................................................................................... 19
Service And Replacement.........................................................................................................24
Warranty Information............................................................................................................. 26
CONTENTS
PNIC V550 Manual PN80-0231-0002-RevA.indd8/8/2001, 4:18 PM4-1

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14 You have purchased 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 heavy-duty
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. Calibration
doesn’t have to be repeated until the
CONGRATULATIONS!
PNIC V550 Manual PN80-0231-0002-RevA.indd8/8/2001, 4:18 PM4-1

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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: 0°F to 140°F
operating temperature; -40°F to 160°F
storage temperature.
COMPASS FEATURES
PNIC V550 Manual PN80-0231-0002-RevA.indd8/8/2001, 4:18 PM2-3

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DISPLAY AND BUTTONS
DISTORTION
[1] LCD Display
Showing:
a. Compass
Heading
Mode
[5] Alarm
Bell
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
PNIC V550 Manual PN80-0231-0002-RevA.indd8/8/2001, 4:18 PM2-3

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[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] “DISTORTION” Message:
The compass detects when outside magnetic
DISPLAY AND BUTTONS
PNIC V550 Manual PN80-0231-0002-RevA.indd8/8/2001, 4:18 PM4-5

CONTENTS
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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.
DISPLAY AND BUTTONS
PNIC V550 Manual PN80-0231-0002-RevA.indd8/8/2001, 4:18 PM4-5

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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 the ADVANCE
button.
STEP 1 – INSTALLING (REPLACING) THE BATTERIES
PNIC V550 Manual PN80-0231-0002-RevA.indd8/8/2001, 4:18 PM6-7