Festival Friend Finder: Does It Work?
- Music festival season is in full swing, from Coachella to Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) in Las Vegas.
- At EDC, with over 140,000 attendees, the Totem Compass was put to the test.
- To use the Totem Compass, users must first "bond" their devices by holding them next to each other and pressing the Touch Crystal button.
Totem Compass Review: Never Get Lost at Music Festivals Again
Updated May 30, 2025
Music festival season is in full swing, from Coachella to Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) in Las Vegas. A major concern for festival-goers is losing contact with friends due to spotty cell service.The Totem Compass, a new friend-finding compass, aims to solve this problem by tracking friends in real-time within a 1,000-meter radius.
At EDC, with over 140,000 attendees, the Totem Compass was put to the test. The device, worn as a pendant, relies on satellite and mesh network technology, offering an alternative to unreliable Wi-Fi, 5G, or Bluetooth. Each user can track up to four friends who also have the device, which retails for $69-$89.
To use the Totem Compass, users must first “bond” their devices by holding them next to each other and pressing the Touch Crystal button. This assigns a colored light to each friend for easy identification. The compass also features an SOS command and three brightness levels for different times of the day.
Feedback from EDC attendees suggests that while there is a learning curve, the Totem Compass is effective once mastered. One user noted it was much easier to find friends once they “got the hang of it.” Regular updates are recommended to ensure optimal performance.
Navigating the crowded festival grounds, the Totem Compass proved its worth. Despite being disoriented, following the colored light led directly to a friend, eliminating panic and ensuring a safe return.
The company plans to release an app and accessories, including longer chains, to enhance the festival experience. The Totem Compass aims to make festivals safer and more immersive.
What’s next
As festival season continues, consider the Totem Compass as a tool to stay connected with friends.For updates, product details, and safety details, visit totemlabs.com.