Need to buy a compass for airplane (who'd a guessed). Not much talk about that. What do people buy these days? I don't want to run wires so unlighted. Nothing fancy, just legal and not too ugly. Bonus if it points north.

Seems crazy that this is $395. Is this what people are getting?
https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/ ... -00496.php

-asa

A resounding ‘yes’. My vertical compass card broke. It was a behemoth in my forward field of view. The mounting bracket was glued to my windshield so I looked for alternative compass options that could mount in the same area. Came across the SIRS product. I absolutely love it.

I have multiple whiskey compasses that you are welcome to for the postage. Why do I have them? Because I am SIRS fan as well.
I don't think I've ever paid that much for one though. Must be that 'new norm' thing...

Take care, Rob

Been installing them for years and never had anything but compliments for them!! Great product!!!!
John

asa wrote:Need to buy a compass for airplane (who'd a guessed). Not much talk about that. What do people buy these days? I don't want to run wires so unlighted. Nothing fancy, just legal and not too ugly. Bonus if it points north.

Seems crazy that this is $395. Is this what people are getting?
https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/ ... -00496.php

-asa

I have one of these in my 180. I can't believe how expensive a simple compass costs. Required equipment but with the advent of some of the modern avionics seems like a compass is nothing more than an ornament. I guess it works okay - to be honest I never look at mine. I would go with the cheapest one to make the airplane legal. An old used one would be fine but maybe not as pretty.


Josh

SIRS works great. If you fly enough in Alaska you will find a need for a good working one. GPS has a way of going out at the worst of times. DENNY

I would go with the cheapest one to make the airplane legal. An old used one would be fine but maybe not as pretty.


Josh

I think this will be my initial strategy, can buy a SIRS later, they sound like the bees knees. Or confirmation bias.

I don't think I have ever glanced at a compass in years of flying. I would get the smallest, cheapest one.

I'm a big fan of eBay avionics but even ebay compasses are expensive. I got my intercom for $56 but people are asking > $100 for broken whiskey compasses? And $250 for broken SIRS. Rob helped me out and is sending me something that hopefully looks close enough to an aviation compass to please the regs. Problem solved. My fuselage had some welding done so none of them will probably work anyway.

Edit: also, impressive how effective this thread was. In a few hours I had multiple answers to my question and also an offer of a free alternative. Thanks everyone.

SIRS x 100

Can anyone speak to whether bolt hole pattern is generally standardized among windshield-mount compasses, or different? I've wanted to replace my factory Cessna compass with a SIRS, but can't seem to find a spec on the hole pattern. Thanks.

Got a vertical card in my 185, came with it , be handy if I was teaching people for their IFR tickets in it, alas I’m not

One of the new PC12s I fly doesn’t even have a compass, just a back up mini PFD

At the amount of system that would need to fail for me to actually need the compass, it would be the apocalypse anyways lol

denalipilot wrote:Can anyone speak to whether bolt hole pattern is generally standardized among windshield-mount compasses, or different? I've wanted to replace my factory Cessna compass with a SIRS, but can't seem to find a spec on the hole pattern. Thanks.

The SIRS windshield mount ones use an adhesive pad. Glareshield ones use fasteners.

Asa-

Thanks for the reply. The picture on the Spruce site indicates fastener holes, although it looks like there may be a hint of red adhesive backing?

-DP

Stick it on with double side tape. I went to local windshield place and got a small scrap piece. Sent 1 1/2 for moving it around windshield and spinning the tail until I found the best spot for adjustment. Then used 3M stuff for final stick.I have had the GPS give me that big X in the Hells Gate area more than once and in some real low stuff. Having a compass that will hold a heading really helps until the electronic stuff comes back to life. DENNY

DENNY wrote:Stick it on with double side tape. I went to local windshield place and got a small scrap piece. Sent 1 1/2 for moving it around windshield and spinning the tail until I found the best spot for adjustment. Then used 3M stuff for final stick.I have had the GPS give me that big X in the Hells Gate area more than once and in some real low stuff. Having a compass that will hold a heading really helps until the electronic stuff comes back to life. DENNY

Not sure if equipped, did this take out AHRS too?

It did the 795 the little plane with the tapes on the side is GPS derived. I usually stay on the deck most of the time so not a big deal but if you are going to take a shortcut through a cut or valley in the scud it is nice to have a direction to hold. I usually don't look at most of my steam gauges when flying but nice to have when the electrons go on strike. DENNY

Hi Rob,

I'd be interested in one of your surplus compasses. My glareshield mount wet compass is giving up the ghost......

Thanks, Chris

Rob
I too would be interested in one or two of your compasses. I sent you a PM.
Thanks
Mike

Well that escalated quickly Turns out the old whiskey compasses are popular after all
Punda, Hawk, and email'ers I will try and get the compasses out tomorrow. PM me your address if you haven't.
Open the box when you get it. None are new, some are great, some may need a polishing up and one or two may need a new gasket and mineral oil, I'm not telling you to do that, because I assume you're not a repair station, I'm just saying that's what a couple need, and how it would probably transpire around here. If what you find suits your needs, look at the postage, and donate at least that to the site. If you don't like what you find, round file it, use it as a Christmas ornament or ??? but try and keep in mind how much you 'out' so far

I am now fresh out of compasses, but may have to keep on the 'hangar cleaning out' I've started and send some more cool old stuff out.

Take care, Rob

Denali, if you're reading this one, I found an NOS Sirs on the compass shelf. I can take a picture of the base if that help your cause. I'm not getting rid of that one, I probably just never got around to putting that one in something.