Columbus Talking Compass

The verdict

Point the compass in the direction you are facing, press the button, and it speaks the compass point immediately, even while you are walking or running. It weighs just 3.5 ounces, speaks through a ceramic piezoelectric speaker in clear digitized speech, runs on two included 12-volt batteries, and carries a one-year warranty.

Columbus Talking Compass — about $68.95 at LS&S · star rating unverified in our research · Blind pick (no sight needed) — the pocket talking compass that speaks the direction you are facing — all eight compass points, in English or Spanish — for blind travelers who want to know their heading without asking anyone.

Specs

  • Speaks all eight compass points (four major plus four interim) in English or Spanish
  • Point in a direction, press the button, and the heading is spoken immediately, even while running
  • Clear digitized speech through a ceramic piezoelectric speaker
  • Weighs 3.5 ounces; compact hand-held size
  • Operates on two included 12-volt batteries
  • 1-year warranty

Blind details

For a blind traveler, a spoken heading is the difference between a confident route and a guess: at a street corner you can confirm you are facing north before you cross, and on a trail you can check you have not drifted off your line. Practice at home first, pairing the spoken headings with routes you already know, and remember that like any magnetic compass it can be pulled off by large metal objects nearby.

Support: Difficult — no phone number or email address was verified on the Columbus compass maker's official support page.

Honest caveats: It speaks eight compass points only, not degrees, so it confirms a heading rather than giving a precise bearing. The voice is English or Spanish only, and the 12-volt batteries are a less common cell than AA, so keep spares on hand. Support is a downgrade flag: no phone or email was verified on the maker's official support page (see support field).

Ready to buy?

Check price on LS&S, seller link, opens in a new tab

Prices change often — the price you see at checkout is the real one.

Blind-owner reviews

No reviews yet — write the first one.

Last reviewed: October 2026.