That's good to hear that the declination screw is robust. I've wondered aobut that.

"You never measure your map bearing along a planned course on the map, point to point? "

I usually set up routes on my PC first and then download the routes to my GPS. I then take bearings from the GPS. Even if plans change I'll usually try to add the new waypoint to the GPS and then get the bearing.

If someone is using the meridian lines a lot then the Brunton-designed compasses simply aren't the best choice.