What to replace in location of Ritchie Compass

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GradyDawg2

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My compass leaked and I removed it to send it in and have it refurbished, when it dawned on me that I never use it, so why do I need it? I have a perfectly good Garmin 740s, and a Garmin handheld with extra batteries, a smartphone, will put a handheld magnetic compass in my tackle box.

Any suggestions for filling a 4.5" diameter hole? I can enlarge it to 6" square, depth can't be much more than 4". A simple cupholder works for me, but none are over 3.5"

Installer says don't use anything magnetic near my GPS.
 
GradyDawg2 said:
My compass leaked and I removed it to send it in and have it refurbished, when it dawned on me that I never use it, so why do I need it? I have a perfectly good Garmin 740s, and a Garmin handheld with extra batteries, a smartphone, will put a handheld magnetic compass in my tackle box.

Any suggestions for filling a 4.5" diameter hole? I can enlarge it to 6" square, depth can't be much more than 4". A simple cupholder works for me, but none are over 3.5"

Installer says don't use anything magnetic near my GPS.
Click to expand...
I understand what your saying but I personally would be hesitant to do without my compass. Its the when all else fails kind of thing.
On the magnetic end of it I would think your installer is referring to the large magnets found in speakers. Which is why the better speakers are magnetically shielded.
The magnetism in a compass is so minute I doubt it would have any impact on your electronics.
 
If it's been on boats for 1000's of years and they still put them on them. The old GPS's I wouldn't trust with my life. I replaced the azimuth digital compass that was 20 yrs old with a good Ritchie. Never thought about forgoing without one
 
Thanks for the advice. I guess I'll order a new compass. And a printed chart or two to go with it for that total electronic failure safety net.
I just found out that they no longer teach cursive handwriting in many elementary schools. Talk about foregoing centuries of tradition.
 
I agree with other posters. You want one on the boat.
I took mine to their headquarters in Pembroke MA. It was a warranty repair and they just replaced it for no charge. Nice folks.
 
I hope you have decide to replace the compass. I was out on the Chesapeake Bay a week ago when my GPS acted up. I used my chart book and compass to find my way home.
 
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