Hello,
I'm wondering if anyone can recommend a decent, reasonably priced compass that will clip onto the stock handlebars of a 2008 XL1200L. I lean towards analog, but wouldn't rule out digital.
I'd also appreciate recommendations for reliable phone mounts.
A phone mount/compass combo would be ideal, but I'm fine with separate products.

Thanks, Brett S.

 

I bought a cheap analog clip-on compass. Its pretty worthless. I've found that I don't really need it anyway. Can't comment on a phone mount, I don't carry one. After freeing myself from tobacco addiction, I'm not interested in getting dependent on a cell phone.

 

Worthless because of build quality, visibility, or because it doesn't point reliably north? I suspect the magnetic fields generated by the bike's electrical system could cause problems if it's not shielded properly.
When I'm still learning the roads in an area, I find it's helpful to have a compass to check my intuition and help build a sort of mental map.
As for the phone... I don't really use it much while riding, but I recently got an fp3 and thought it would be nice to be able to see its sensor readouts while riding.

Thanks, Brett S.

 

It doesn't reliably point north. The face is rather small also.

 

You know there are compass apps for phones right?
Strap that phone down with a Ram mount on the handlebar and head SXSW to the party.

 

Yeah. I'm just concerned about battery draw. Does compass mode use significantly less power than normal with screen on?

 

Apple phones have an embedded compass app, as well as embedded GPS. I use mine all the time in the backcountry. I have no idea how much power it uses, but you can always add a power port to keep phone plugged into bike's electrical system. My old iPhone 5S has never lost power on me when hiking and fishing. I did install a new battery, which has added much more run time as my phone is several years old already. Gaia GPS is another good app that includes maps and tracking. I also have the Avenza Maps app, where I can download Forest Service topo maps and create tracks.

John

 

For a compass I wouldn’t bother they’re all complete junk because they don’t usually work properly as for a phone mount it’s a little pricer then a ram mount which are good but I recommend quad lock it’s what I have, if you do quad lock make sure to get the vibration damper.

 

I've used speedometer aps just to see how accurate they are and it was surprisingly close enough.

 

Interesting. I'll look into those apps, as well as a power port.
Thanks, Brett S.