I go offtrail pretty frequently, I trained in search and rescue, and I generally spend a lot of time in the woods. This compass will get you within 2 degrees precision fairly easily, 1.5 with some work, which is enough for most overland treking and the like. The mechanism isn't built precisely enough for 1 degree precision... though if you are very good you can definitely fake it and make it work, but I mean very good.