Crowd Compass is an off-grid communication device that keeps you connected with friends—no cell service or internet required. Use as a standalone device to locate friends and send messages, or pair it with our mobile app to send text messages from your phone (even in airplane mode!) using the Crowd Compass network.

Crowd Compass devices communicate using radio waves, enabling them to share information without internet or cell service. Instead of relying on external infrastructure like cell towers, they create an independent mesh network, ensuring continuous connectivity even in remote locations or crowded areas with heavy network congestion.

A mesh network is a decentralized system where devices communicate directly, passing information through multiple nodes without relying on a central hub like a Wi-Fi router or cell tower.

Each Crowd Compass device (or node) in the network can send, receive, and relay data, allowing information to hop from one device to another until it reaches its destination. The more devices present, the stronger and more reliable the network becomes, as messages can take multiple paths to avoid congestion or interference. Messages can travel up to 3 miles between two devices, but the mesh network extends their reach even farther.

While any Crowd Compass within range of you can help relay your messages, your information can only be read by devices in your paired network, thanks to end-to-end encryption.

The range between two Crowd Compass devices varies based on environmental conditions and obstructions. In open areas with a clear line of sight, two devices can connect at distances of up to 3 miles. However, the mesh network extends coverage by relaying messages through other devices. As more participants join, the network grows larger and more robust, allowing messages to travel even farther.

Crowd Compass works like a traditional compass, but instead of pointing north, it guides you to your friends using colored LEDs. Hold it in front of you to see their direction—LEDs at the top mean they’re ahead, LEDs on the right mean they’re to your right, and so on. Simply walk toward your friend’s LED color to find them.

Want to see it in action? Check out our videos on Instagram! @crowdcompass.io

There are two ways to determine your friends' distance:

• Relative Distance: On the device’s face, you are at the center. The farther a friend's indicator is from the center, the farther they are from you. The four rings around the center represent increasing distance levels.
• Zoom Level Indicator: Changing the zoom level adjusts the distance scale on the screen. For example, if the display reads 500 feet, the LEDs on the outer rim are 500 feet from you. If a friend’s LED is halfway to the center, you know they are about 250 feet away.

You can adjust the zoom level to better gauge distances and locate your crew. Zoom out to see more friends at once, or zoom in as you get closer for easier navigation.

Check out this video for a demonstration!

Crowd Compass is ideal for staying connected in areas with limited or no cell service. It’s perfect for large events like festivals, concerts, and amusement parks, as well as outdoor adventures such as hiking, camping, skiing, and snowboarding. It also supports offline messaging in indoor spaces without internet. However, location sharing features require GPS signal and may be unavailable indoors.

You can use Crowd Compass indoors to send messages without cell service or Wi-Fi. However, since location sharing relies on GPS, friend-finding features may be limited or unavailable indoors. Some users have found it useful for staying connected at indoor events and even on cruise ships where internet and cell service is not available, by using the mobile app to send offline text messages through the compass network.

We wanted you to have the freedom to choose. You can leave your phone behind and use your Crowd Compass on its own to send and receive messages, and find your friends.

The mobile app provides additional features and we highly recommend you check it out!

With the app, you can send offline text messages through the compass mesh network, customize your Crowd Compass (including preset messages and colors), view friends on a map, enable the performance boost feature, manage your group, and install firmware updates. Plus, exciting new features like waypoints are coming soon!

Available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Crowd Compasses come with 8 pre-saved messages that you can send directly from your device. When you send a message, it will scroll across your friends' screens in your assigned color.

Want to say something different? Download the Crowd Compass Companion app to update your pre-saved messages and send custom texts through the compass radio network!

You can pair with as many friends as you like! Crowd Compass works with as few as two devices and doesn't limit the number of devices in one group.

Yes! Crowd Compass is designed to perform well in large crowds. It operates on a radio frequency that transmits effectively even in dense gatherings. Unlike cell phones, which struggle with congestion, the mesh network actually improves as more people use it.

Additionally, Crowd Compass operates on a frequency separate from those used by medical and security communications, ensuring it won’t interfere with their critical operations.

Crowd Compass is water-resistant, meaning it can withstand splashes, spills, rain, and everyday outdoor use. However, it is not waterproof and should not be submerged in water.

For extra protection, we offer protective cases that make the compass shockproof and even more water-resistant.

Shop Crowd Compass Protective Cases

No! Your information is kept private with secure end-to-end encryption, ensuring only people within your trusted group can decrypt and read it.

During setup, you and your friends pair your devices into a group, so strangers with Crowd Compasses or hackers using radio sniffing tools cannot access your location or messages.

Crowd Compass has a battery life of up to 24 hours of continuous use with three AA lithium batteries. Battery type significantly impacts performance, and we strongly recommend lithium batteries for their longer lifespan and lighter weight.

For a more environmentally friendly option check out our USB-C rechargeable batteries.

We chose replaceable batteries based on feedback from our early beta testers. Our first prototype used a rechargeable battery, but testers found it inconvenient to recharge while on the go. With three AA batteries, you can pack a spare set and enjoy reliable connectivity without any recharge downtime.

For the best of both worlds, check out our USB-C rechargeable batteries!

Crowd Compass operates on the 915 MHz frequency, which significantly outperforms 2.4 GHz in crowded environments. Higher frequencies like 2.4 GHz are more easily absorbed by water (i.e., people), resulting in weaker signals and reduced range. In contrast, 915 MHz signals penetrate crowds more effectively, traveling farther with less interference for a more reliable connection.

We also use the LoRa protocol, a proven technology designed for long-range, low-power communication. This ensures Crowd Compass stays dependable even in dense crowds, remote areas, and locations with minimal infrastructure, where traditional wireless signals often fall short.

Crowd Compass meets all safety, regulatory, and compliance standards for wearable use in both the United States and Canada. This includes SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) testing to ensure safe radio frequency exposure levels for wearable devices.

FCC ID: 2BFGS-ESP32WROVERE
Industry Canada ID: 32388-ESP32WROVER

Crowd Compass devices are available for purchase directly from our official website, where we offer various bundle deals to suit your needs. 

We are also excited to partner with Mr. B’s Festival Needs! Crowd Compass products will be available for purchase at any festival where Mr. B’s is present, starting with Bonnaroo 2025.

We want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase. That's why we offer a 30-Day, 100% Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee.

If you're not completely satisfied with your Crowd Compass, you can return it within 30 days of delivery for a full refund—no questions asked. Read the full details here.

To initiate a return, please contact our customer service team with your order number and details at info@crowdcompass.io or through our Contact Form.

We are working towards having all orders shipped within 7 days of processing. However, we are currently on backorder, and shipping times may vary. You can find the most up-to-date shipping estimates on the product page.

For current orders, all shipments are expected to arrive before May 15th.

Yes! If you are interested in putting in a bulk order, please contact us directly for more details.