MBCompass - A full navigation utility in ~2MB
by•
This launch evolves MBCompass from a simple compass into a lightweight, real-world navigation utility. It now adds full GPX track recording, so you can record routes, add waypoints, view stats, and export easily.
What makes it stand out is how much it does while staying lightweight and focused. No bloat, just the essentials that matter when you’re outside.
Compass + live location + track recording
Waypoints, stats, and GPX export
Reliable foreground tracking
No ads, no tracking, no accounts
Replies
MBCompass
I'll be up front: though I will follow this thread and try the product out or see a demo of it when it is live, I would like to learn a bit more about what the competitive advantage of this is. I personally live on Google Maps, so what does this offer otherwise?
MBCompass
@ryanwmcc1 That’s a very fair question, appreciate you asking it.
MBCompass isn’t trying to compete directly with Google Maps as a fullfeatured maps platform. It’s built for a different use case.
The focus here is lightweight, reliable outdoor navigation, especially in situations where full map apps feel overkill or less dependable (like low connectivity, quick heading checks, or simple route tracking).
For example:
• Instant compass + direction without waiting for map tiles
• GPX track recording for hikes / walks without heavy UI
• No accounts, no tracking, no background services
• Very small size, so it runs smoothly even on low-end devices
It’s more of a “grab and go” tool rather than an all-in-one navigation system.
If you’re someone who lives inside Google Maps for everything, you may not replace it, but the goal is to complement it in scenarios where simplicity, speed, and reliability matter more than features.
Would love to hear your thoughts once you try it 👍
@mubaraknative I like that. Simple enough. It seems your target market is less road-based and more "outdoor based," which you should definitely use as a competitive advantage. No one I know of is letting people track nature trails or outdoor hikes, and you could allow users to document this with notes, i.e., a photo from their phone of a specific plant can then generate an AI reply to what it is, or a specific location you suggest others visit. Gamify it a bit :) Give it a community where people can mark unique things to see on the platform, as I feel that you wouldn't be able to compete with the already-integrated road-based apps. You could capitalize on an outdoor market, which is a huge opportunity!
MBCompass
@ryanwmcc1 @ryanwmcc1 This is super insightful, really appreciate you taking the time to share this.
You’re absolutely right about leaning into the outdoor use case. The idea of adding lightweight trail notes, photos (as in the gpx tracks interval), and even a simple community layer is very interesting. I’ll explore this direction further as MBCompass evolves.
Thanks again. this is genuinely helpful 🙌
Ogoron
I like your product! clean, lightweight, and actually respectful of the user (no ads, no tracking) is such a rare combo these days. Already checked it out and it really has that calm, no-nonsense feel — just a tool that does exactly what it’s supposed to do.
We launched our own product on Product Hunt yesterday, so we definitely feel the launch day nerves — sending support your way. Congrats, this is a really solid and thoughtful build