Joe, good post. I carry a Silva Ranger as my primary compass and a button compas in a separate location as a back-up. Additionally,I carry a state highway map and USGS topo maps of my bug out area. Like you, I also carry a small AM/FM radio in my bug out bag. I don't have a GPS unit yet, but that is something I might add in the future. Two other items I always carry in my BOB (not usually mentioned here) are an American Red Cross first aid manual and the U.S. Army survival manual. George