Yep. Here is my feeling. I used Loran and GPS extensively at sea long before using it hiking. I think the GPS should just augment the map and compass. By that I mean if you can find your position on the map with the GPS it has done a major job with just that. I believe you should be aware of your surroundings at all times. Are we hiking up a valley to a stream and turning north to attain a ridge and following the ridge.....) You should also be prepared by knowing what land forms you will be expecting and approximating how long each segment will take. The GPS will ASSIST you in monitoring your course and distance. You could do everything bu just following the GPS, but I, for some unexplained reason, like looking around and identifying land marks and observing everything going on around me.