For scouting stand locations, I like to use my GPS. But the problem with a GPS is you have to walk at a certain pace to get it to register your movement. Even though I use my GPS, I always carry my compass as well. It has never led me wrong.
Mike...If you use a compass in conjunction with the GPS then it eliminates the problem associated with GPS only navigation. Many people attempt to use the GPS as a compass. The GPS was never intended to work like a compass. When standing still, the GPS can't tell what direction you are facing. However, when combined with the compass you truly have an outstanding navigational system. Add a topo map and Lewis and Clark would be green with envy. Now here's where your saved waypoints come in and how to navigate with ease.
Lets say I wanted to walk to your house from mine. I already have your house saved as waypoint number 1. I then tell my GPS to navigate to waypoint number 1. (your house) At that point the GPS tells me what bearing in degrees I need to take to walk a straight line to your house. Let's assume it's 150 degrees just for arguments sake. I then rotate the dial on my compass to line up with 150 degrees. Now I turn my body to line up the magnetic needle with the orienting arrow. At this point I am facing 150 degrees. Now I just walk and use the compass as my main navigation tool. If I leave the GPS turned on, it will track my movement and give bearing updates as I proceed. If I get off track I will instantly know since the GPS is continually updating my location. At that point, all I have to do is spin the dial on my compass to the new bearing and keep going until I arrive at your house at which point I hope you have some cold beer for me because it's a long walk to Texas.
Sorry about being so long. I always get the feeling that many folks don't know how to get the most out of there compass and GPS. I hope this helps anyone who may be having trouble navigating.....Jim