I've never used one in a city, although I do have some experience in the wilderness.

I've never actually thought to bring along a compass. I usually can orient myself OK using a map and street names, but sometimes this requires walking a block to find the next street (if I can't see the street sign because it's too far way). I might try it next time!

I use the sun, and if not that, then try to orient using street signs, landmarks, and hopefully a sense of direction and idea of which way the subway was going and what turns I made exiting the subway station. In the worst cases, I just ask someone.

I could buy a compass, but I guess I haven't.

<mod>
As this isn't particularly Technology related (though a compass certainly is some of the best old-school technology out there) I'm going to move this thread over to TravelBuzz! where I think it might be better suited.

-sbm12
</mod>

When I can't use the sun, I normally use satellite dishes on nearby buildings (especially in less developed countries). Since the satellites are in geostationary orbit, that means that satellite dishes in the northern hemisphere face south, and those in the southern hemisphere face north.

Although I guess if I was ever near the equator, then this might not work so well....

The iPhone uses true A-GPS, which means that it is assisted by an external server but does not require it. My 3G can get a GPS lock even with no cell/wifi signal; it just takes longer to do so. (Of course, I have no useful map in that case.)

Indeed, it's not very accurate at all. Many websites are quoting a nearly 45-degree uncertainty in position, useful for general orientation but not accurate direction-finding. Your 25-degree number confirms this.

Personally, I don't carry a compass... I tend to use street names or other landmarks to orient myself when reading a map, but most of the time I just try to remember actual directions (e.g. left/right), since I don't usually think in terms of compass directions.

Ah. I was never able to get a GPS lock on my location without external assistance, even when I let it sit for several minutes. Maybe I just wasn't patient enough. Can't test it now, though--my GPS finally died from too many drops (my next iPhone will definitely be getting a nice, rubberized case!), so I'm stuck with Skyhook cell tower/wireless access point location services only. :(

I usually have a pretty good innate sense of direction, even when exiting a subway system, but sometimes when you're shoving through hordes of people and have to make multiple changes in direction before surfacing (like some NY subway stations), I'll need to walk a block before getting straightened out--which takes time away from sightseeing! Maybe I should get a compass...

I was caught in Malaga a couple of months ago. It was overcast during the day and I didn't have a street map.

Soon, it got dark and I was completely turned around. Couldn't tell which way was the ocean, which would be to the south of the city so had no reference point at all.

Had to take a bus.

I've used the satellite dishes too.

Yeah carrying a separate compass would be just another thing to worry about packing. But integrated into a watch or some other device you would have anyways could be helpful.

I did have a Garmin for this trip as I drove around Andalusia but for this walk, I left it back at the hotel room.

I, too, have a good sense of direction and typically would prefer to just navigate with a good map. However, every once in a while there's a situation in which I get "off" and, being used to being well-oriented to the four points, I can get myself (and those with me) plumb lost by thinking I know what's where. So, the compass saves my hide in those times when my spatial self-confidence gets me in trouble.

I've been there. However I still like to use the GPS. =)

I always carry a compass with me when I travel. Paired with a map, I never lose my way. Since I neither own a cellphone or GPS, the compass has proved reliable time and again, particularly in cities that are not mapped in the typical grid fashion.

Once I get my bearings I'm fine, but when you initially arrive, it's great to know which direction you need to walk instead of wasting your time (and tired feet) walking for a kilometer one way only to find that you had to travel the other direction.

Mine is a cheap thing that I picked up at the hardware store that has a whistle function (great for hailing cabs) and latches onto my bag. It's small enough to be unobtrusive

I was using pocket compasses 20 years ago-helped a lot.

I tried using a GPS while walking in a few bit cities recently-the signal was tough to connect, even in Paris where few buildings are more than 8 stories tall. This was no help and I wouldn't try it again.

At an Apple store, a helper told me that having GPS plus an IPhone positioning app would allow cell phone signals to supplement signals from a satellite to provide better assistance. Anyone know if this holds up?

Duplicate

That technology is called A-GPS. The iPhone's implementation allows the phone to gather location data from cellular base stations and nearby registered wireless access points (using data from a company called Skyhook and possibly also Navizon). Getting a general idea of location data helps the iPhone get a true GPS fix faster, as the assistance server can then give the iPhone up-to-date orbital data and GPS almanac details on the satellites within view of the phone, which can drastically reduce the time required to establish a fix.

I usually carry a small compass when traveling -- amazing how often it comes in handy -- maybe because I don't have a great sense of direction!