I learned to use a compass in the marines, and I have never used one here at home. But I got my GPS about the same time I started bow hunting so I starteded hunting many differant spots and I just love the gps sure it has some drawbacks but it is nice at times. I like to use it scouting and hunting. I love it before the sun comes up walking in and taking me right to my stand in the pitch black. And same for coming out of the woods in the dark. A couple of times I have been in some preatty thick stuff and checked my GPS and realized that I was all turned around. It might not always get me within 5 yards but it gets close enough for me to know were I am.