hiker,<br><br>I have been turned around while driving in the city several times, and simple consultation of the compass was very helpful. Another scenario I experienced traveling was popping out of the ground from the subway and having no idea which way to orient the map. Having to walk a few blocks in a circle to get the streets alinged was not nearly as efficient as it having a compass.<br><br>It is hard to conjure up a fire building scenario on Main Street, but not so hard to imagine being forced out of your home into the backyard under a tarp and wanting a fire.<br><br>To me the carrying of a small number of tools that cover primarily wilderness needs is not a burden. A hot spark, compass and map weigh nearly nothing...the piece of mind is worth the weight.