There is a great deal of truth in this. I have been "turned around" once. I would have sworn an oath, and bet any money, the compass was wrong. But I sat down, had a snack and a good drink of water, and talked myself through it. I had checked the compass before I left, and it swung true every time. It was in all likelihood swinging true now. So I followed it back to the road, and my car was right where I left it.

Then, and now, as I'm packing for a trip, I have a ritual: I take my compass to a place I know (a true north/south road). I shake it, swirl it around, several times. If it comes back true every time, I know I can trust it.

Believe me, it's a powerful thing to know "for a fact" that your gear is accurate when your perception deceives you.