No doubt a quality compass and maps are neccessary ( assuming you know your starting point.) The small quality liquid compasses do have their place, and not just in a PSK. I live within minutes of the 101 freeway in California. In my mental imaging, it runs N/S, because that takes me to San Francisco or San Diego. In reality, my stretch actually runs W/E. A small convenient unit is an excellent training tool to become aware of reality vs. our mental maps. Ditto for temperature. How many times have we become inattentive to dropping temperatures while exercising or preoccupied? A recent article discusses getting lost and our mental processes [ http:www.national geographic.com/adventure/0111/story.html#story1] . People go to great lengths learning natural direction indicators and star navigation. A small compass is a nice bit of confidence in those skills. We like having things literally pointed out and confirmed for us.