OPERATION MANUAL

DIGITALVEHICLECOMPASS

Z250

Making Ordinary Products Extraordinary

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You have acquired one of the most sophisticated compasses available for use in a vehicle, RV or boat. The Wayfinder Z250 utilizes patented magnetic sensor technology that was developed for the United States Military to give you the most accurate electronic compass headings. The built-in compasses of GM, Ford, Chrysler and Bayliner boats all use this same technology. The result is unsurpassed compass performance.

Features• Water resistant to a depth of 10 feet.

• Trip Timer logs in hours, minutes, and seconds.

• Programmable automatic compass shut-off.

• Programmable automatic backlight shut-off.

• Distortion warning when magnetic interference from outside sources is affecting compass accuracy.

• 500 hour average battery life using 1 Lithium battery #2032 (included).

• One-year limited warranty.

CONGRATULATIONS!

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Modes, Buttons and Display . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Resetting the Wayfinder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Installing the Wayfinder Installation guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8Windshield mounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Adjusting the bracket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Removing compass from bracket . . . . 10

Basic Mode Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Compass Time-Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Backlight Time-Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Timer Mode Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Steps to use the Timer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Changing the BatterySteps to change the Battery . . . . . . . .19

Frequently Asked Questions . . . . . . .22

Service and Replacement . . . . . . . . . .24

Limited Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Modes

The Wayfinder Z250 has 2 modes:

1. Basic compass: In this mode, cardinal point and numeric heading readouts appear. The “BASIC” icon also appears in the upper right corner.

2. Timer: In this mode, cardinal point, timer, and numeric heading readouts appear. There is no icon showing for this mode.

Buttons

ADV Button (Advance)Press ADV to turn the Wayfinder on or to change from Basic mode to Timer mode.

ENT Button (Enter)Press ENT to select an option or value; to begin/end calibration; to start/stop the timer.

Display

Numeric Heading ReadoutHeading is displayed in 1° increments from 0° to 359°.

Cardinal Points ReadoutHeading is displayed in one of 8 cardinal points (N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW).

MODES, BUTTONS AND DISPLAY

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Timer ReadoutThe Timer is a standard counter that records a maximum of 99 hours, 59 minutes, and 59 seconds. The Wayfinder can be used as a timer while still maintaining accurate compass readings.

“DISTORTION” IconThe Wayfinder detects when outside magnetic interference is compromising compass accuracy and displays the “DISTORTION” icon in the upper left corner. Distortion occurs when there has been a significant change in the surrounding magnetic fields, such as when you are driving underneath an

overpass or over a bridge. The steel in these structures causes inaccurate readings in any magnetic compass, but the Wayfinder detects this interference and alerts you.

Backlight The Wayfinder uses an electro-luminescent backlight to illuminate the display, making it easily visible at night. Pressing the ADV and ENT buttons at the same time turns the back-light on or off. The backlight has a program-mable shut-off, which turns the backlight off after it has been on for a specified period of time. To conserve battery power, the backlight should be turned off when not in use.

MODES, BUTTONS AND DISPLAY

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DISTORTION BASIC

MODES, BUTTONS AND DISPLAY “DISTORTION” Cardinal Point Numeric Heading Icon Readout Readout

ADV button ENT button

BASIC Mode Icon

MODES, BUTTONS AND DISPLAY

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Resetting the WayfinderA manual reset has been added to the Way-finder. Resetting the unit erases everything that is stored in memory including calibra-tion, the automatic shut-off values, and timer settings. Resetting the Wayfinder should only be done when you want to completely erase the memory.

To reset the Wayfinder:

1. Press and hold ADV and ENT at the same time for 10 seconds and “rESET” should flash.

2. Press the ENT button to reset the compass. All the segments on the display

will briefly illuminate. The Wayfinder must now be recalibrated.

3. If you decide not to reset the compass, press the ADV button to exit reset mode.

4. If “rESET” flashes for 30 seconds and neither button is pressed, the Wayfinder will exit reset mode and nothing will be erased.

RESETTING THE WAYFINDER

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Installation guidelines• 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 the horizontal plane. If tilted more than ±20°, the heading information after calibration may not be accurate. The selected angle from the horizontal plane must stay

fixed after calibration for the heading to remain accurate (see illustration).

• The accuracy of the Wayfinder will be diminished by a strong magnetic field, such as that found in proximity to an

INSTALLING THE WAYFINDER

20° maximum up tilt

20° maximum down tilt

Dashboard

Windshield

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audio speaker. It is recommended that the unit be mounted 5 or more inches away from stereo speakers.

Windshield Mounting:1. Install the suction cups into the mounting

bracket by sliding them into their holes

2. Press the suction cup base firmly against the windshield. If necessary, apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to improve suction cup grip.

3. Adjust the bracket angle to ±20° as shown in the diagram on page 7.

Adjusting the BracketThe Wayfinder has an adjustable bracket which rotates 180°. To adjust the bracket, press the two buttons on the back of the compass. Pressing the two buttons squeezes the arms of the bracket together allowing it to be rotated. After adjusting the angle of bracket, let go of the buttons and the bracket

will lock into place.

Removing Compass from BracketTo remove the compass from the bracket, press the two buttons on the back of the compass, which squeezes the arms of the bracket. This

INSTALLING THE WAYFINDER

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allows the compass to be gently pulled out of the bracket. Removing only the compass and not the bracket assures the compass will be mounted in the same location as it was previously. When reinstalling the compass, make sure the angle of the Wayfinder in the bracket is the same as it was before iremoval in order to avoid recalibrating the unit.

The Wayfinder must be calibrated upon initial use, as well as recalibrated anytime the compass has been moved to a different location or the angle adjusted.

Do not leave the Wayfinder in a parked vehicle that is likely to be exposed to extremely hot or cold temperatures.

INSTALLING THE WAYFINDER

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HEADERBASIC MODE

The Wayfinder must be in Basic mode to use any of the features described in this section.

Features

The Basic mode provides the current com-pass heading and allows you to program your compass.

Within the Basic mode there are three programmable functions:

1. Calibration: the compass is calibrated to compensate for magnetic fields.

2. Compass Shut-Off: the compass shut-off value is selected.

3. Backlight Shut-Off: the backlight shut-off

value is selected.

CalibrationCalibration allows the unit to separate the earth’s magnetic field from the magnetic fields generated by external influences, such as your vehicle, and therefore provide accurate heading information.

Before beginning calibration, the unit must be mounted in the location where it will be used in your vehicle. Calibration is best performed on a level section of pavement, such as an empty parking lot or a non-busy street. With a marine vehicle, calibration is best performed in a calm harbor or a marina.

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When to Calibrate :

The Wayfinder must be calibrated when:

1. It is being used for the first time.

2. It is being used in a different location than it was previously calibrated in.

3. The “DISTORTION” icon displays con-tinuously.

4. The battery is removed or replaced.

Steps to Calibrate :

1. Press ADV until the ”BASIC” icon is displayed in the upper right corner.

2. Press and hold ADV and “CAL” will

flash. This indicates you are now in Calibration.

3. Press ENT, the backlight will momentarily flash. Then the message “TURN TWICE” will blink in the lower right corner of the display.

4. With the compass mounted in your vehicle, drive in two complete circles and then press ENT. Calibration is now complete and the compass heading should be displayed.

The size of the circles, and the direction your vehicle is pointing when beginning or ending the circles does not matter.

BASIC MODE

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The circles do not need to be perfect circles but must be completed in the same direction and must be completed in less than 2 minutes.

Compass Automatic Shut-Off

The Wayfinder has a programmable compass shut-off feature. The default value for the compass shut-off is 5 minutes, meaning that after the compass has been on for 5 minutes without a button press, it will time-out to a blank screen. The shut-off value is programmable and can be set for 5, 15, 30, 60, or 90 minutes. You may also choose to have the compass never shut-off by selecting

“OFF” as the time-out value.

Steps to select the compass shut-off:

1. Press ADV until the “BASIC” icon is displayed in the upper right corner.

2. Press and hold ADV and “CAL” flashes.

3. Press ADV and the default value “C 05” flashes. (C stands for compass and 5 is five minutes.)

4. Press ENT, the numbers next to the “C” should flash.

5. Press the ADV button to move through the time-out selections: 5, 15, 30, 60,

BASIC MODE

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90 or OFF. Stop at your desired selection for the compass time-out.

6. Press the ENT button once to set your selected time-out and “C” and the select time-out value should flash.

7. Press ADV twice to exit out of programming mode. The display should now be in Basic mode.

While in programming mode, you can also set your backlight time-out. See the Backlight Automatic Shut-Off section.

If at any time during programming no button is pressed for 30 seconds, the unit exits out of programming mode.

Backlight Automatic Shut-Off

The Wayfinder has a programmable time-out for the backlight. The default shut-off value is 10 seconds, meaning that after 10 seconds the backlight will turn off. The shut-off can be set at 10, 30, or 60 seconds. You may also choose never have the backlight shut-off by selecting “OFF”. The backlight can be turned off at anytime by pressing both the ADV and ENT buttons simultaneously.

The backlight uses significantly more power than the compass itself, therefore it is recommended the backlight be turned off when it is not needed.

BASIC MODE

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Steps to select the backlight shut-off :

1. Press the ADV button until the “BASIC” icon is displayed in the upper right corner.

2. Press and hold the ADV button and “CAL” flashes.

3. Press the ADV button two more times (In this case “L” stands for light and 10 is ten seconds.)

4. Press the ENT button. The numbers next to the “L” should flash.

5. Press the ADV button to step through the shut-off selections: 10, 30, 60, or OFF.

Stop at your desired selection for the backlight time-out.

6. Press the ENT button once to set your selected time-out and “L” and the select time-out value should flash.

7. Press ADV twice to exit from programming mode. The display should now be in Basic mode.

If at any time during programming no button is pressed for 30 seconds, the unit exits out of programming mode.

The unit must be in Timer to use any of the features described in this section.

BASIC MODE

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Features

The timer is a standard counter that logs a maximum of 99 hours, 59 minutes and 59 seconds, “99:59:59”. The Wayfinder can be used as a compass while still using the timer.

When counting, the timer starts at “00:00:00”. If the timer reaches its maximum, it resets to “00:00:00” and begins to count up again. The counter can be paused, and restarted at any time.

Steps to use the timer :

1. Press the ADV button until “00:00:00” is shown in the center of the compass display.

2. Press the ENT button to start the timer.

3. Press the ENT button to pause the timer.

4. Press the ENT button to restart the timer from the paused position. The timer starts counting where it previously left off.

5. Press and hold the ENT button from the paused position to reset the timer to zero.

TIMER MODE

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The timer can be paused any number of times. The timer will continue to run even though the Wayfinder is in a different mode or has timed-out. The timer will continue to run until it is paused or reset.

Battery life of the Wayfinder is dependent upon usage, but on average the battery life is 500 hours. The battery should be changed when the display is dim or blank, or when the backlight flickers. Using the backlight drains significantly more power than the compass alone. Therefore, to maximize battery life, use the backlight only when necessary.

The Wayfinder uses one Lithium coin cell battery (3 volt), #2032. These can be found at most major retailers who carry batteries. Removal requires the use of a small Phillips screwdriver (PH 1 or #1 Phillips)

Steps to Change the Battery :

1. Place the compass on a solid surface with the display facing down.

2. Hold the compass firmly, and completely remove all four screws from the case rear.

3. Remove the case rear and set aside. This exposes the printed circuit board (PCB)

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and the battery. Do not disturb the rubber seal that is resting on the case front.

4. Remove the battery. Do not remove the PCB; it is held in place with friction pins and must be left in the case front to maintain proper alignment with other components. This is necessary to ensure a water-tight seal.

5. Insert a new battery over the large (1/2” round) gold pad on the PCB. Note polarity as shown on PC: positive (+) side of battery must be facing up/away from the PCB. Three pins protrude

through the PCB and hold the battery in place. Make sure these are intact and the battery is situated inside these pins.

6. Replace case rear onto the case front. Make sure the screw holes are aligned properly since they are not symmetrical.

7. Press case halves firmly to inspect around the rubber seal. There should be a smooth, gap-free interface between the plastic and rubber parts.

8. Insert case screws and tighten until the rubber seal produces a slight bulge; this ensures that you have applied enough

CHANGING THE BATTERY

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HEADERCHANGING THE BATTERY

pressure to maintain a water-tight seal.

9. The display should function properly at this point. If it does not, remove the battery, wait several seconds, and reinsert the battery.

10. Since the battery has been removed, it is necessary to re-calibrate the Wayfinder.

PCB Board

Back Cover

Lithium Battery

Front Cover

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How does the Wayfinder work?The Wayfinder uses a patented magnetic sensor technology that was developed by PNI Corpo-ration for the U.S. military. This technology is called “magneto-inductive” and is the largest advance in compass technology since the flux gate was invented 60 years ago. The earth gener-ates a magnetic field, and through a mathemati-cal calculation, compass heading is determined. The magneto-inductive technology is able to electronically sense the difference in the earth’s field from your vehicle’s magnetic field. Mag-neto-inductive sensor technology has many advantages over other technologies including better performance, consuming less power, and

being less expensive. These advantages have made magneto-inductive sensor technology the choice for many high-profile compass applica-tions including GM, Ford, and Chrysler auto-mobiles, Bayliner boats, and Timex watches.

How do I read the display?The Wayfinder displays direction in 2 dif-ferent formats: cardinal points and numeric digits (325º, 330º, etc.). The 8 cardinal points of a compass (N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW) give you a general sense of direction. The numeric digits show your exact direction in 1 degree increments.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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When do I need to calibrate the Wayfinder?The Wayfinder needs to be calibrated when used for the first time in a vehicle, when used in a different location in the same vehicle, when moved to a different vehicle or when the battery was removed. The Wayfinder requires re-calibration when the “DISTORTION” icon displays in the upper left corner or when there has been a change to your vehicle, such as the installation of a new stereo.

What does it mean when the “DISTOR-TION” icon displays in the upper left corner?“DISTORTION” indicates magnetic distor-

tion. Many things generate external magnetic fields causing compass inaccuracy, including metal and electronics. The Wayfinder senses any significant change in magnetic fields. “DIS-TORTION” may display briefly when driving over a bridge, under an overpass, over railroad tracks, or within close proximity to something with a strong magnetic field. Once the vehicle has moved away from the source of interfer-ence, the “DISTORTION” icon dissapears. If the “DISTORTION” icon is continuously dis-played in the upper left corner, it is usually a sign that there has been a significant change in magnetic fields, and calibration is necessary.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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Customer ServicePlease e-mail customer service department at customerservice@pnicorp.com or call us between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (PST) Monday through Friday, with your questions.

Warranty Service For the fastest service, it is best to contact or return your unit to the place of purchase within 30 days of the purchase. After the first 30 days of purchase, you may return the unit to PNI Corporation for repair or replacement by following these instructions:

1. Obtain a return merchandise authoriza-

tion (RMA) number by contacting PNI Corporation.

• By phone: (888) 422-6672 (toll-free within the U.S.A. only) or at (707) 566-2260

• By fax: (707) 566-2261

• By e-mail: returns@pnicorp.com

2. Provide a proof of purchase, such as a mechanical reproduction or carbon copy of a sales receipt. If you send your original receipt, it cannot be returned. Proof of purchase must show printed date of purchase, model number, and

SERVICE & REPLACEMENT

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place of purchase.

Once you have acquired an RMA number, pack the unit securely to prevent damage in transit. If possible, use the original packing material and box. Be sure to send the entire product.

3. Ship prepaid and insured by way of a traceable carrier, such as United Parcel Service (UPS), Roadway Parcel Service (RPS), or First Class Mail to avoid loss in transit.

4. Write the issued RMA number on the outside of your package and send your

proof of purchase and description of the problem to the following address:

PNI Corporation5464 Skylane Blvd., Suite ASanta Rosa, CA 95403-1084

Type or print your name and address where the replacement should be delivered. After receipt of your documents and unit PNI will test it and, depending on the severity of the problem, either repair or replace the unit. Please allow 2 to 3 weeks from receipt of your returned product to delivery of your replacement.

SERVICE & REPLACEMENT

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PNI Corporation manufactures its products from parts and components that are new or equivalent to new in performance and warrants to the original user that this product will be free of defects in workmanship and materials for one (1) year from the date of purchase. This warranty does not cover wear and tear due to normal use, or damage to the product as the result of improper usage, neglect of care, alteration, accident, or unauthorized repair.

If the product is found by PNI to be defective and you have provided proof of purchase acceptable to PNI, PNI’s entire liability and

your exclusive remedy for breach of warranty shall be that PNI, at its option, will replace or repair the product and return the replacement or repaired product to you at no charge, provided that you ship the product to PNI at your expense. PNI warrants the repaired or replaced product to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of the greater of: (i) ninety (90) days from the date it is shipped to you; or (ii) the period of time remaining on the original one (1) year warranty.

THE FOREGOING WARRANTY IS GIVEN IN LIEU OF AND PNI DISCLAIMS ALL OTHER

LIMITED WARRANTY; LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

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WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, IN FACT OR IN LAW, WITH RESPECT TO THIS PRODUCT, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, (1) THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR (2) THAT USE OF THE PRODUCT WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED AND ERROR FREE.

PNI shall have no liability for any indirect or speculative damages (including, but not limited to, consequential, incidental, and special damages) relating to the use of or inability to use this product, whether arising

out of contract, negligence, tort, or under any warranty theory, or for infringement of any other party’s intellectual property rights, irrespective of whether PNI had advance notice of the possibility of any such damages, including, but not limited to, loss of use, revenue, or profit. In no event shall PNI’s total liability for all claims regarding the product exceed the price paid for the product. PNI neither assumes nor authorizes anyone to assume for it any other liabilities.

LIMITED WARRANTY; LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

PNI Corporation www.pnicorp.com

11188 R02 1000063