My EDC compass is a watch. More often than not I wear a GMT watch, if I need direction I just reset the GMT hand to local time and then point the 12 hour hand at the sun; at that point the GMT hand will point north. If it's DST, then the next hour is north. <br><br>At night? Look for the Big Dipper, orient yourself so that the handle is pointing up, and keep it on your left side, and you're going roughly north. If you can't see the star because of weather, I'd be more worried about shelter than direction. If you can't see the stars because of city lights, ask directions.<br><br>That said, in colder weather I often wear a parka over my suit, and a Brunton Weather Eye is on the zipper.

Well, as usual I have a silva water-filled button compass as part of my EDC. I am waiting to get my hands on one of those Benefons ESC! cellphones. They have a complete 12 channel GPS built in!!! Can't beat that for anywhere..either wilderness or city. I have a Casio with a digital compass as well.

A real compass is one thing that no one ever has to be without. Forget magnetized needles, a button compass is so small and convenient to carry you can drop one into any pocket no matter what you are wearing and never even know it's there. Don't bother mounting it on anything, just throw it in with your change or whatever and forget about it. It might get a little scratched with pocket wear, but it will remain functional for many years. <br><br>I sealed mine into a tiny plastic bag along with my Micro Light to protect both from wear and water and to reduce the number of items I have to fish out of my pockets at the end of the day, but that is not necessary. <br><br>Aside from being a good survival item, it's also useful on a day-to-day basis.

Here's a way to carry a button compass that won't take up extra space in your pockets. <br><br>For a picture of the watch band and ordering, click here. <br><br>I've always thought these were a bit geeky, and most I've seen are of poor quality, but this one looks pretty good, so I think I will order one for my beater watch and see how it is.

Let us know how it is. I like the look of it.<br><br><br>Chris

Thanks.. for "sports" wear where image is not a factor, like a boat trip I went on Sunday, I wear a Suunto Yachtsman that has a compass and barometer built in. It's big, but it's very lightweight, and the rounded contours make it interfere with clothing and cuffs less than some much smaller watches.<br><br>I don' t think the concept of a watchband compass of any kind is likely to go over well at the office... besides, I rotate three "dress" watches. I currently have a compass attached to a zipper on a shoulder pouch, but I only carry it for the commute, not for nearby meetings or lunches, etc.<br><br>I still think I may try to find a decent lighter with a compass, as that wouldn't add to the number of things I'm keeping track of. Seems like there should be something else I routinely carry that I could mount a button compass on or in, but if there is, I'm missing it.<br>

Not a lighter and compass, but Cabellas sells a waterproof brass match container with a compass in the lid, as well as a black aluminum with same. Price is about 20.00 for either model.

I like the look of the timex strap with the compass.<br>I have a timex watch reef gear i-control but it is not a very hardy watch. The control ring fell off the watch face! I certainly hope the compass is more reliable!<br><br>I have a silva SERE compass in my kit which can be attached to a watch strap. You can see a picture of it here <br><br>My daily urban carry kit has the other silva SERE 40 like the one shown here sere40 <br><br>