TheGanzman
08/07/2011, 09:19 PM
I know this has been done before - I believe another member put a Brunton digital compass in there. I've been looking for a digital compass that I didn't have to cut the fuzzy hole to fit, and one with a self-contained light source; today I found one and installed it:
http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10077/normal_Compass3.JPG
http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10077/normal_Compass4.JPG
I wanted something that looked "reasonably" factory-stock. For those of you that are interested, it's a Bell #24006 Lighted Digital Compass - I got mine from Auto Zone for ~$12.00. After removing the fuzzy hole compartment from the dash (I used a piece of plastic shim stock - an "EZ Shim" from Lowe's) by prying it out from the bottom, I studied on it awhile. Firstoff, I stuck in a self-adhesive rubber "foot" that I got from Radio Shack in the center of the bottom of the fuzzy hole at a depth of ~7/8":
http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10077/normal_Compass1.JPG
Then I used about a 1.5" piece of double-sided automotive trim adhesive tape by 3M, attached to the top of the compass housing:
http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10077/normal_Compass2.JPG
I'm reasonably pleased with the results - looks a LOT better than sticking a compass up on the dash or windshield. Compass is DEAD ON too; within 2 degrees of my fancy $150 military compass. It has a nice red light that illuminates the dial by reaching a finger into the fuzzy hole and pushing the button on the left of the compass housing. STILL room in the fuzzy hole for other small items too - nail clippers, change, etc. Nobody likes an empty fuzzy hole!;)
http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10077/normal_Compass3.JPG
http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10077/normal_Compass4.JPG
I wanted something that looked "reasonably" factory-stock. For those of you that are interested, it's a Bell #24006 Lighted Digital Compass - I got mine from Auto Zone for ~$12.00. After removing the fuzzy hole compartment from the dash (I used a piece of plastic shim stock - an "EZ Shim" from Lowe's) by prying it out from the bottom, I studied on it awhile. Firstoff, I stuck in a self-adhesive rubber "foot" that I got from Radio Shack in the center of the bottom of the fuzzy hole at a depth of ~7/8":
http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10077/normal_Compass1.JPG
Then I used about a 1.5" piece of double-sided automotive trim adhesive tape by 3M, attached to the top of the compass housing:
http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10077/normal_Compass2.JPG
I'm reasonably pleased with the results - looks a LOT better than sticking a compass up on the dash or windshield. Compass is DEAD ON too; within 2 degrees of my fancy $150 military compass. It has a nice red light that illuminates the dial by reaching a finger into the fuzzy hole and pushing the button on the left of the compass housing. STILL room in the fuzzy hole for other small items too - nail clippers, change, etc. Nobody likes an empty fuzzy hole!;)