PNI V6000 User manual

OPERATION MANUAL
V6000 DIGITALVEHICLECOMPASS

Making Ordinary Products Extraordinary

1
You have purchased one of the most
sophisticated compasses available for use
in a vehicle. The PNI V6000 is a valuable
tool for your vehicle, utilizing technology to
make a digital compass easy and informative
to use, while still incorporating patented
magnetic sensor technology to give you
accurate compass headings. PNI’s magnetic
sensor technology electronically measures
your vehicle’s magnetic eld and calibrates
for inaccuracies mathematically with its
built-in microprocessor. The result is
unequaled compass performance in a vehicle
environment.
Features
• Uses patented magnetic sensor technol-
ogy, same as the built-in compasses in
GM, Ford, and Chrysler vehicles.
• Altimeter displays the current altitude in
feet or meters.
• Barometer displays barometric pressure
and up/down trends to determine
weather patterns.
• Weather forecast displays a three-level
weather forecast of SUN, CLOUD, or
RAIN, based on the last 24 hours of
barometric pressure information.
CONGRATULATIONS!

2
• Indicates inside temperature, outside
temperature and ICE alert in either
Fahrenheit or Celsius.
• Declination adjustment allows the unit to
be set to either true or magnetic north.
• Bearing point stores one compass heading
at a time in memory to stay on desired
course.
• Automatic power shut-off occurs when
no magnetic eld changes have been
sensed for approximately 10 minutes.
• Programmable backlight auto shut-off
feature.
• Photo sensor feature turns the backlight
on or off depending on the amount of
ambient light.
• Distortion indicator alerts you when
magnetic interference from outside
sources, such as steel from a bridge or
overpass, is affecting compass accuracy.
• Holographic LCD improves brightness
and contrast while removing glare.
• One-year warranty.
FEATURES

3
1. The LCD icons are written in all capital
letters with quotes around them.
2. Buttons used in procedures are presented
as button icons.
3. Procedures are organized so that the
action to perform follows the step
number, and result of that action is
indented.
4. “Press” means press and release a button
in less than 2 seconds.
5. “Hold” means press and hold the button
for at least 2 seconds, or until a display
appears.
6. Indicates a warning or important
information
7. Indicates optional equipment avail-
able at additional cost.
8. The 3 horizontal lines of display on the
right side will be referred to as line 1
through 3 starting at the top.
CONVENTIONS USED IN THIS MANUAL

4
Display and Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Step 1: Installing the battery . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Step 2: Installing the 12-volt adapter . . . . 9
Step 3: Installing the external
temperature sensor . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Step 4: Mounting the unit . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Programming and Operation . . . . . . . . . 16
Calibration mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Declination mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Backlight mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Photo sensor feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Bearing mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Barometer mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Weather forecast display . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Temperature mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
ICE alert feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Altitude mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Alt.Set mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Optional Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Declination Angle Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
General Specications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Frequently Asked Questions . . . . . . . . . . 35
Service and Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
CONTENTS

5
DISPLAY AND BUTTONS
Temperature and Numeric Heading
Bearing Point Readout Readout
Declination Icon
Compass Rose Altitude, Barometer Buttons
and Weather Forecast Readout
FRONT
Battery Photo Sensor
Compartment
Temperature 12-Volt Power
Sensor Jack AdapterJack
BACK

6
The PNI V6000 displays direction of travel in
three different formats: (1) cardinal points,
(2) numeric digits (325°, 330°, etc.), and
(3) compass rose. The eight cardinal points
of a compass (N, NE, E, etc.) give you the
general direction. The numeric digits show
your exact direction to the nearest 1°. The
compass rose arrow points in the direction
you are heading relative to north.
The slow ashing of the degree symbol in
line 2 indicates when magnetic interference
is compromising compass accuracy or when
a battery has been installed.
Buttons
ON/OFF button
Press or any other button to turn
compass on and hold to turn compass
off. Once on, pressing toggles the
backlight on or off.
STEP button
Press in normal display mode to toggle
between displaying “IN TEMP” (inside tem-
perature), “OUT TEMP“ (outside tempera-
ture), and “BEARING” (bearing point). Press
in programming mode to advance
through the values to select.
DISPLAY AND BUTTONS

7
MENU button
Press to advance through programming
menu options “CALIb” (calibration), “dECL”
(declination), “LIGHt” (backlight), “bEAr”
(bearing point), “bAro” (barometer), “tEMP”
(temperature) and “ALt” (altimeter) and to
exit a programming menu.
ENT button
Press in normal display mode to toggle
between barometric pressure, altitude, and
weather forecast. Press in programming
mode to store a displayed value.
ALT.SET button
Press as a quick reset for altitude. It
resets the altitude from the currently displayed
altitude to the stored altitude.
DISPLAY AND BUTTONS

8
Step 1: Installing the battery
The PNI V6000 uses a CR123 Lithium type
battery, installed according to the diagram
on the inside of the battery compartment.
Push the battery straight down into the
compartment, not at an angle. To remove,
open the battery compartment and tap the
back of the unit against the palm of your
hand and the battery will come out.
Once the battery is inserted, the unit will
go through a quality test. If the display
becomes stuck, remove the battery, wait for
approximately one minute, and then reinsert
the battery.
If the battery is the only power source,
whenever the battery is changed or removed,
the PNI V6000 must be calibrated and all
previous feature settings must be reset. With
the 12-volt adapter or the hardwire kit
installed, the battery may be removed or
changed without affecting any settings.
The PNI V6000 has an auto shut-off feature.
When no magnetic eld change has been
detected for approximately 10 minutes, the
compass automatically switches off and saves
all settings.
INSTALLATION

HEADER
9
Step 2: Installing the 12-volt adapter
Installing the 12-volt adapter is optional, but
recommended. Insert the small end into the
jack marked “POWER,” located on the back
of the compass, and plug the large end into
your cigarette lighter receptacle.
The photo sensor feature of the PNI
V6000 is operational only when the
12-volt adapter is plugged in or the
optional hardwire kit is installed.
Since cars do not always have constant
power supplied to the lighter receptacle,
you must keep a battery in the PNI
V6000 at all times to allow the unit to
keep memory settings.
A 15-foot hardwire kit is available at
additional cost. See Optional
Accessories.
INSTALLATION

HEADER
10
Step 3: Installing the external
temperature sensor
The PNI V6000 has a built-in internal
temperature sensor designed to measure
the temperature inside the vehicle at the
windshield (“IN TEMP”).
The PNI V6000 also includes a wire
temperature tether designed to measure
the temperature outside the vehicle (“OUT
TEMP”). The sensor end of the tether
must be mounted outside of the passenger
compartment, away from engine heat or
direct sunlight, in a place where there is
natural airow to the sensor, such as in the
grill area or door jamb. It is best to adhere the
sensor on a surface that is least conductive
to heat -- such as on a rubber or plastic
surface as opposed to the steel body of the
vehicle. The temperature from this sensor is
displayed as “OUT TEMP.”
Every vehicle is different, making it impossible
to list all possible sensor locations. Use
your best judgment to select the site for
the temperature sensor and experiment with
various locations, if necessary.
INSTALLATION

HEADER
11
To install the external temperature sensor:
1. Insert the connector end of the tether
into the jack marked “TEMP,” located on
the back of the compass.
2. Adhere the sensor end of the tether
outside of the passenger compartment.
Make sure the mounting surface is free of
oil and dirt.
3. (Optional, but suggested) Use the
included retainer clips to secure the
temperature tether to the windshield or
dashboard.
If the temperature sensor is not plugged
in and is toggled to “outside
temperature” display, the message
“PLUG IN TEMP CABLE” will scroll in
the upper right corner three times, then
will display “_ _ _ °F.”
Do not leave the PNI V6000 in a parked
vehicle that is likely to be exposed to
extremely hot or cold temperatures.
A 30-foot temperature sensor is
available at additional cost. See
INSTALLATION

HEADER
12
Optional Accessories.
Step 4: Mounting the unit
• Choose a place on the windshield that
will not obstruct the driver’s view and is
within reach so the buttons are easy to
push. Make sure the windshield surface
is clean. Once installed, the face of the
compass must be pointing toward the
rear of the vehicle.
• The unit can be tilted up or down a
maximum of 20° from road level. If tilted
more than ±20°, the heading information
after calibration may not be accurate.
The selected angle from road level must
stay xed after calibration for the heading
to remain accurate (see illustration on
page 13).
• The accuracy of the PNI V6000 will be
diminished by a strong magnetic eld,
such as that found in proximity to an
audio speaker. It is recommended that
the unit be mounted 5 or more inches
away from stereo speakers.
INSTALLATION

HEADER
13
20° maximum up tilt
20° maximum down tilt
Dashboard
Windshield
Windshield Mounting:
1. Install the suction cups into the mounting
bracket by sliding them into their holes
(if not pre-installed).
2. Do not loosen the screw at the pivot point
where the two-piece bracket is assembled
(see illustration on page 14).
3. Insert the small plug end of the 12-volt
adapter into the jack marked “POWER”,
located on the back of the compass and
plug the large plug end into your cigarette
lighter receptacle.
4. With the battery and/or 12-volt adapter
installed, slide the unit all the way into
the shaped compass holder until you
hear/feel the “click” when the locking
ngers slip into place.
INSTALLATION

HEADER
14
Shaped Compass
Holder
Base Plate
with suction cups
Pivot point
INSTALLATION

15
5. Hold the base plate where the suction
cups are attached in one hand and the
shaped compass holder in the other.
Rotating the pivot point as little as
possible, adjust the bracket for the correct
angle.
6. Press the suction cup base rmly against
the windshield. If necessary, apply a
thin layer of petroleum jelly to improve
suction cup grip.
Repeated turning of the bracket at the
pivot point will break the teeth in the
pivot housing, causing the bracket to
not be able to maintain the mounting
angle.
Do not leave the PNI V6000 in a parked
vehicle that is likely to be exposed to
extremely hot or cold temperatures.
INSTALLATION

16
Calibration Mode
Calibration is the process whereby the PNI
V6000 separates the earth’s magnetic eld
from other magnetic elds. Without calibra-
tion, the unit thinks the entire magnetic eld
it is reading is from the earth and therefore
displays inaccurate compass readings.
Calibration Guidelines
1. The PNI V6000 needs to be calibrated (1)
when used for the rst time in a vehicle,
(2) when moved to a different location
in the same vehicle, (3) when moved to a
different vehicle, or (4) when the battery
is removed if neither the 12-volt adapter
nor the hardwire kit is installed.
2. The PNI V6000 requires recalibration
when there has been a change to your
vehicle, such as the installation of a new
stereo or when the degree symbol on line
2 ashes continuously.
3. If you intend to operate your PNI V6000
with the temperature tether installed,
then it should be calibrated after tether
installation has been completed.
4. If you drive with your headlights and
stereo on, turn these on prior to
calibration.
PROGRAMMING AND OPERATION

17
Calibrating the unit
To begin calibration, press to toggle
through the programming options until
“CALIb” and “SEt” display on screen.
1. Press .
“PrESS StEP to StArt” displays.
If is pressed now, the unit returns to
normal display.
2. Press .
“turn ONCE PrESS Ent to End” displays.
Turn vehicle in one complete circle in either
direction. Circle size does not matter. Take
at least 20 seconds to complete the circle.
3. Press .
“dONE” ashes once, and the unit returns to
normal display mode. If the degree symbol
on line 2 ashes after calibration, repeat
the calibration process. A ashing degree
symbol indicates magnetic distortion. See
the Frequently Asked Question section for
more information.
PROGRAMMING AND OPERATION

18
Declination Mode
Declination, also called magnetic variation,
is the difference between true and magnetic
north, relative to a point on the earth. It is
measured in degrees to the east or west of
true north. The PNI V6000 corrects for dec-
lination electronically. Correcting for dec-
lination is accomplished by storing in the
correct declination angle, and then changing
the heading reference from magnetic north
to true north (see following section). Decli-
nation angles vary throughout the world, and
change very slowly over time. See page 31
for a declination angle map for the United
States. For the greatest possible accuracy,
go to the National Geophysical Data Center
web page below to get the declination angle
based on your latitude and longitude:
http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/seg/potd/
ushd.shtml.
If you do not know your exact latitude and
longitude, go to the web page below to get
latitude and longitude from your city and
state or from your zip code:
http://www.census.gov/cgi-bin/gazetteer
PROGRAMMING AND OPERATION