So long as the would be user knows the weakness of a compass and map, he may use it as a general guide. <br>What I thought might be the situation was ....small compass for small kit.....' and so I am covered in case of emergency 100%', which is not the case.... So long as you don't rely on a compass like this to save your self it's ok with me. I guess if this was the only compass I had, and I was lost at sea in a dory out of sight of land I would go with it, but I would prefer a better device..... I find these miro compasses to be about as good as a magetized needle floating on a leaf in a puddle.....<br>For driving around it won't matter, but I would use caution with a cheapo compass in a car due to the car may well throw the compass off..... <br><br>Chris you said this "( assuming you know your starting point.) " if you are on land, or can see something, a few somethings, you can find where you are with a map and compass. You don't need to know where you are exactly, but just knowing you are on the map, and you have the correct map.....Take as many bearings as possible up to 8 different directions in a circle.line mark each one on the map, and you are where the points cross. This would be hard at sea with nothing standing out to see, and would also be hard in a plane moving at better than 100mph, but you could get an idea.<br><br>Also I have been reading the list for things, and wonder why the list for a airplane crash does not list any clothing. I have a buddy that removed both wings from a small plane(trees), and when he was dumped on the ground covered in gas.. He had to strip naked in below freezing weather. he is alive but at the time was not a happy camper by any means... <br><br>I understand what you mean about the east west deal.... here in New England we have the same effect....if lost at sea, and you left from the east coast to begin with, sail north to strike land faster, than sailing west............Mac