I use to travel with just maps (el-cheapo at the gas station), till I got somewhere where the map wasn't quite up to date and I wasn't sure where I was on the map. Then I got an excellent gps (garmin 76SCSx color map capable, 2 gig chip, etc). Worked great....except when you weren't moving much.... or when it decided to have a brain fart and locked up. For the most part, the gps is great, especially when you need to back track your way out.
HOWEVER, heard of a couple who got caught on a mountain top in a white out. Couldn't dare move around enought for the gps to lock on. No compass. Had to wait it out as there was only one safe direction down off the mountain and they had no clue where it was.
Always have a compass (an orienteering one at that). I have a Suunto MC-2. Make sure you know what the declination is for where you are. In my present area it is about 20 degrees east of true north. The gps (most of the time) will tell you where you are. A map and compass depends on you knowing where you are when you start and then you can plan where you are going (taking a bearing, working out travel times etc).
For professionals who depend on knowing where they are, carrying both and knowing how to use both is standard practice (when it counts, a back up plan is a good plan). Besides, learning orienteering and mapping out where you are going is fun.

The first time you get lost, it comes as a great big suprise. If you survive that, learning to get un-lost takes on whole new importance in your life. Sure did for me

Peace,
Narly

Mmmn ,I thought the new Garmins 60CSx and 76 CSx had compasses built in that weren't dependant on you actually moving .
So the internal compases don't work very well[ if at all ] , is that what you're saying ?

__________________
Blessed are the cracked, for they let in the light. - Spike Milligan
"When you come to a fork in the road ,take it ! When you come to a spoon in the road ,take that also ."

They do, but you have to switch them on...
Stephan

Strewth !
I'm buggered then !

__________________
Blessed are the cracked, for they let in the light. - Spike Milligan
"When you come to a fork in the road ,take it ! When you come to a spoon in the road ,take that also ."

I do because sometimes (dare I say this) I actually get away from motorised transport and use my feet, so a compass and map and knowing how to use both are well worth it (I don't have a ciggie lighter socket built into my body to plug a GPS into).

Also, and call me old-fashioned, I think it's always a good idea to have a back up to anything that uses batteries, or microprocessors, or relies on a programmer.

I've got one of those little thermometer key rings too.

__________________

You're probably not the only one. The compass is turned on and off by pressing the button marked 'Page'.
Stephan

The 76CSx has all the toys and uses 5 sat instead of three to pin your location. And yes, I am saying the internal magnetic compass is less accurate than my handheld. Before anyone asks, yes, I do step away from metal to ensure the gps magnetic compass is free to find it's mark.
Don't get me wrong, I use and depend a great deal on this gps. Especially since I have aftermarket maps and contour maps loaded in it. However, I am aware of it's limitations and don't rely on it blindly. The compass is still a useful tool and it works when the gps doesn't (in steep-sided canyons).
A decent compass is still cheap insurance.

I don't know about the rest of our fellow travellers, but I have a great respect for "low teck" that has been proven and used for ages. I work in a "high tech" environment and understand the huge support base that necessary to sustain it.
If you want to see spectacular "low tech", take a look at the use of "ropes" and "knots". The knots we use in climbing have been around for a very long time and are still worth knowing.
Most of my travel gear (clothing) is synthetic. However there is still room for a fine wool sweater in my kit. My boots are heavy leather backpackers that are anything but high tech. They work fine and can be re-soled anywhere in the world.
I don't need things to be the latest and greatest, although that is nice. I do need them to work, all the time and everytime.
Boy that "soapbox" was fun.

Peace,
Narly

For latest read "most under developed"

I also work in hightech, but to be honest I'll take well known and well made every time.

Andy

Back to the question.
My electronic car compass is dead ass accurate.
Can someone who has one say the 76Csx electronic compass is inaccurate?
bill

I don't own a GPS. But then again, my bike travels don't put me out in terrain where I think a GPS might prove useful, but even with that being said, I doubt I will ever use one. But maybe...

I have used a lensatic compass in conjunction with UTM maps extensively when I was in the military (and some for civilian applications) where I was on the ground on foot and/or in a military vehicle. There were no GPS devices back then. My opinion is that learning to land navigate in the classical sense like this keeps one from getting lost in general, and also helps one learn how to pinpoint one's location via intersection/resection techniques, etc.

My son, who is in the US Army now, says all of his training has been in the classical land navigation tehcniques, as were mine. He say his vehicles are equipped with GPS, but that most opine that a GPS "makes one stupid" unless one has had the classical training.