I have lots of compasses but by far this is my favorite one it's so accurate and durable! I take this compass on all my outings and it never fails iv had it on mt st helens looking for injured climbers I'm dead of winter. Iv been way lost before while looking for a lake on a map me and my cousin starting to doubt if the compass was lying to us 20 miles to go and bam 20 miles later and two days we hit our lake. The mirror is great for shaving or signaling even looking for ticks. I love my lensetic military compass as iv down hundreds of land nav courses with it but this compass is still better in my opinion. I have 3 suunto compasses and there all rock solid all accurate an easy to use if your looking for a compass you can learn to use and advance with I'd get this one! I always carry a backup like a m30 field compass or even a MCA compass. The lume this compass has is great at night while backcountry skiing or hiking iv used it to get back to the car no issues I mean I usually wear a head lamp so I can see the numbers anyway but still wonderful if your headlamp died. Put some clear nail Polish on the underside so the letters and numbers don't scratch off! I would recommend getting the global version just because the compass needle can dip more and makes it easier while walking. All in all this is a great tool my wife and my son both know how to use it and they love when it comes on outings with us a long with our GPS; -)