Just realized (reading others postings) that I should have mentioned that I used a lensatic compass for mapping many years ago. It was an engineer's compass, too heavy for everyday use but, properly used, very accurate. I carried it for awhile (still have it), but it's a bit of a fuss to get it out and use it, and I never seem to need that degree of accuracy. Also, there is a degree of skill involved in using it properly, and I haven't used it in so long (at least 35 years) I'm not sure I still have that skill. I have also used the Silva plate-base compasses more recently and like them, just don't really need that much compass for trails in the east (but if I had to bush whack a considerable distance out of a mess I'd probably fall in love). best, jcp