While pace counters are a great tool, they (just like any other tool) shouldn't be counted on to do the job all by themselves with no practice. A GPS will do a much better job, unless the batteries go dead. Triangulating with a compass on a topo map can show you just where you're at, unless you don't have visibility (fog, dark, terrain, etc.). Used alongside any of a number of nav. methods, a pace counter can be an invaluable tool, but as already stated, practice, practice, practice.