Survival experts know that in your essential gear, there is one thing you should never miss - a pocket compass. Pocket compasses are small and usually fit in your pockets. Traditionally people used to keep it with them while they were travelling or going for a hunt. In the present times where GPS is getting a better-preferred choice over the compass, people are overlooking the biggest downside of GPS is that it's ‘electronic’. It means that it can easily fail, switch off or drain its battery. What if you get stuck far away from your camp or forget the route and at the same time something goes wrong with the GPS? You probably don’t want to get into trouble. Can a traditional compass and map save you? 

Let’s look at a few pros and cons of both in order to make a better decision. 

The old school way - Pocket compass 

The old school way for navigating through the wilderness is a compass and a map. It is one of the best kits to pack for your upland hunting, but not without having a basic knowledge of using both of them. Carrying a detailed and up-to-date map alongside a compass is definitely a great way to explore your surroundings, stay attentive and get to know new routes. It also allows you to note observations related to time and distance. All of this comes easy when you have a GPS system. However, if you’re hunting or camping in difficult terrain, somewhere near a valley or on top of mountains, there is no way you can risk your GPS losing power. 

This is where a map and a compass comes in handy - it never goes out of power or loses its signals. A detailed map seems traditional but gives you a broader geographical context than a GPS. A pocket compass and map with a waterproof case turns out to be a better investment. For centuries explorers and hunters have been using it. Thus, the kit has a well-earned reputation as it is a proven and trusted tool for navigation. However to make sure they work perfectly, keep them away from mobile phones, power lines or other electronic or magnetic items. 

The new navigation tool - GPS 

A GPS is a smart tech that gives you step-by-step instruction and an exact route to the fed destination. Unlike a compass and a map, it requires a strong signal to work, plus the cost is comparatively high for the small displays that give you a better sense of your location but do not deliver the information about the broad geographical context.

The best advantage of using a GPS is that a novice can also operate it without having thorough training. As it is easier to use than a compass, you can carry it in your hunting bag, but there is nothing better than accompanying the old school navigation tools. A GPS certainly disconnects you from the wilderness you’re walking into as you keep on passing through. Yet modern GPS comes with longer battery life, location sharing capabilities and countless other functions which a compass cannot have. 

Verdict 

If you’re an upland hunter, it is better to equip yourself with both, compass and map kit along with a GPS system. They both complement each other well and can be much more effective than one another in different case scenarios. However, if you have got a sense of affection towards a pocket compass, get a . The 1″ diameter, brass body and a luminous dial with lanyard attachment, it is a never-aging compass for any hunter. Find this Marbles Compass and other necessary field accessories for hunting only on Wickham And Best online store. 

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