In this day and age of gps and satelite uplinks is making it possible for most people to navigate the world easily.In the 18th century compasses were used.I use repro 18th century compasses to navigate my way when I go brush busting.You need to check your compass often to stay on a straightish course.I could go into a long diatribe about compass use a plotting,but I aint gonna.get a good compass and learn to use it.Horace Kephart in Woodcraft and Camping have a great chapter on navigation.These wooden bodied compases are fine for general course following.The large brass compass is very good for plotting and map making.