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No compass direction indicator found in 2012 Plug-in

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by Ron B, Apr 13, 2013.

  1. Ron B

    Ron B Junior Member

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    Sorry, I was away for awhile. --was unable to read if anyone knew if there was or was not a compass direction indicator in the 2012 Pruis Plug-in (Standard model). I still haven't found it. This information is not in the manual. Also, magnetic compass does not work anywhere inside the car because of the electrical wiring, nor does the GPS compass on my smartphone.
    Thank you for your help.
    RonB
     
  2. rogerv

    rogerv Senior Member

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    Not sure if it will help, but the navigation map has an arrow in the upper left indicating north. There are some options for "headings" etc. but since I don't use the system, I don't know what they offer. I find that it is much quicker and easier to use the navigation feature on my phone or Magellan unit. OTOH, I know the general points of the compass for the area in which I travel, so haven't paid much attention to that on the devices mentioned.
     
  3. Ron B

    Ron B Junior Member

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  4. Ron B

    Ron B Junior Member

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  5. -1-

    -1- Don

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    :) I use the "north up" feature on my GPS units. "North up" refers to the map orientation as opposed to which direction your driving. Someone correct me if I'm wrong
     
  6. evfinder

    evfinder Member

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    The compass is part of the home link mirror which is not standard on the base model. I added it to the base when I bought my base model
     
  7. rogerv

    rogerv Senior Member

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    ?? Mine shows the arrow pointing north in 2D. Not sure what else you would want. I just went out and compared two maps on my Android phone along with my Magellan RoadMate and the onboard navigation map. They all show north up on the map, and due to the way my house is situated, my car pointing southeast. The arrow on the navigation system doesn't point straight up, but slightly off to the right to indicate true north. It has a little "N" next to the arrow. The arrow in the center of the map, showing my current location, points southeast. The electronics in my PiP don't seem to have any effect on the phone or Magellan unit.
    Sorry if I'm missing something here.
     
  8. Ron B

    Ron B Junior Member

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    rogerv,
    Thanks for responding. I'll check again the 3 different map layout choises (I need a spell check on this--I'm a terrible speller) to see if the arrow points north. Maybe something is wrong with my system. I'll be back with you.
    Ron B
     
  9. Ron B

    Ron B Junior Member

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  10. Ron B

    Ron B Junior Member

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    evfinder,
    Thanks for the reply. That may explain everything. I'll check, but it's probably too late to add the home link mirror because the home link wiring may not have been installed at the factory in the standard model.
    Ron B
     
  11. rogerv

    rogerv Senior Member

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    Homelink mirrors can be added any time. A local electronics/alarm installer can easily do it, or if you at all handy, it is a DYI project others here have done. You can order the mirror with or without the compass. I don't have it on mine.
    Website for the company is www.mitocorp.com They make the Gentex mirrors for OEM use in GM, Ford, Toyota, etc.
    You need to get a power source from the driver's side kick panel area by removing the trim covering the "A" pillar, run the wires under the headliner trim. The mirror attaches to the existing mount on the windshield. Your dealer can do it, but will probably charge more than an independent electronics shop.
     
  12. CharlesH

    CharlesH CA HOV Decal #5 on former PiP

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    :confused:What does the home link mirror have to do with a compass? It has the garage door opener and the automatic dimming rear-view mirror. But compass??
     
  13. rogerv

    rogerv Senior Member

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    They make them with a compass, and also a model with a built in rear camera display. See the link to the company in my post above.
     
    CharlesH likes this.
  14. CharlesH

    CharlesH CA HOV Decal #5 on former PiP

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    Thanks for the clarification. The model that comes in the Advanced doesn't have a compass, right?

    In the upper left corner of the map display, it shows the direction I am currently going in, but I am not sure if this is a compass or is derived from GPS.

    Just my preference, but I prefer to keep North to be "up" on the map, rather than "up" being the direction I am traveling in.
     
  15. rogerv

    rogerv Senior Member

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    You're welcome. I should have specified that these are aftermarket items, AFAIK.
     
  16. bielinsk

    bielinsk Gremlin

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    At least in the Advanced. Map mode, Other information, has a split screen with a compass.
     
  17. CharlesH

    CharlesH CA HOV Decal #5 on former PiP

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    Any idea if this is

    1) information derived from GPS while you are moving, using multiple location fixes to determine a heading, or

    2) using a real magnetic compass, which will work whether or not you are moving?
     
  18. bielinsk

    bielinsk Gremlin

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    Rather sure it is tied to the GPS in the car and based on moving. I turned on my nav override and it kind of when wacky on me.

    But, if I am not moving, there is no way to tell. As much as I tried, I am unable to spin the car without using the long skinny pedal on the right.
     
  19. Ron B

    Ron B Junior Member

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    OK, everyone, thank you for your input and observations concerning the lack of a compass in the 2012 plug-in Pruis (Standard). The information has been a big help.
    The 3 map modes are 3 D Heading, 2 D Heading and 2 D North. None of the 3 show a North pointing arrow at the upper left of the map. However, in the 2 D North mode north is straight up on the map and parallel to the centerline of the car. With the map on I prefer the 2 D Heading mode, but when I'm lost and the sun's not up and I haven't put in a destination, I'll just switch to the 2 D North to determine the direction that I'm traveling and then switch back. That will save installing an after market rear view mirror with compass.
    Also, as you mentioned earlier, a magnetic compass works in your Plug-in. Where do you put it? I've found that a magnetic compass placed anywhere that I can see it continues to point the same direction relative to the car even as the car turns due to the electric wireing. It doesn't point North. A GPS compass does not work either, possibly because the satalite signals are blocked by the metal roof.
    There is another possibility. I'll check the manual to see if one of the map split screen possibilities includes a compass.
    Thanks again, I appreciate your input.
    Ron B
     
  20. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    For curiosity's sake, if all of the PIPs have some sort of GPS, why do you need a compass?