In an unfamiliar city, I depend on the position of the sun to determine the relative direction where I need to head on a map.

But when it's overcast or after sunset, this doesn't work.

Looked at some cheap compasses on Amazon but saw some Casio watches with digital compass integrated.

Anyone use anything like this?

I regularly use a small (0.5") fluid filled compass that fits on my watchband. I buy them on ebay or in the dollar stores for about a buck. Its quite handy and has saved me mucho steps and mucho time. Makes it easy to see what direction the plane is flying too.

MisterNice

I use to, but if I need it now I just use the GPS or the google maps on a blackberry or something like that. It's much easier.

Only when orienteering.

Plus, in Denver, you don't need a compass. Mountains = west.

There are times that doesn't work, though--coming up out of an unfamiliar subway station and being completely disoriented. In order to figure out which direction you're headed, you have to walk a few dozen feet (sometimes more, especially in an urban canyon where the GPS signal is weak). A compass (such as the one built in to the iPhone 3G S ) can still add value there.

Several times, I've come out of subway stations, gotten disoriented, and stood for 30 seconds trying to remember which direction the train was headed and how many 90-degree turns I made coming up the stairway to try to figure out which direction I'm pointed, only to walk a block and find I'm going the wrong way...

I have a cheap and nasty one that is like a keyring on my backpack.

I've also got a Tissot watch which has a compass built in (not cheap though).

Generally I don't use compasses for navigation. Not sure why, but I tend to use street names and landmarks more.

I've relied on maps in guide books instead of full street maps. So often can't tell by street names alone.

Casio watches with compass are about $50 on Amazon.

But already have a watch which is only a couple of years old so probably will wait.

Absolutely. I ran into just this situation earlier this year. Came out of a subway station. And it wasn't just that I didn't know where I came out, I thought I had come out somewhere else, so was completely disoriented. The GPS map on my iPhone 3G didn't help me with that until I walked a partial block to get my location and orientation locked down. Now that I've upgraded to the 3GS with integrated compass, that won't happen next time :-)

But other than what's now in the 3GS, I've never carried a travel compass when in a city. It's just one more thing to carry around that I never bothered with. I usually have a good subconscious sense of direction, so I just kind of know which way I'm pointing. When I get disoriented, using a map and landmarks will eventually solve the problem.

I've carried a small compass in my purse since I learned to drive (a very, very long time ago)--it made my parents, who always worried about my wanderlust, feel a little better.

I've used one as often in cities as in the countryside. It has saved the day on several occasions over the now many years. I traded up to the 3GS for the compass and have a Nuvi, but still carry a small, fluid-filled compass. Used it in France last month when the road signs were missing.

+1 "Used to, before GPS"

+1 I've used the compass on the iphone 3gs

Does the digital compass on the 3GS work with international data roaming off?

A lot of GPS apps. require an Internet connection.

I just downloaded Offmaps on my 3GS. It supposedly allows you to pre-download maps onto your iPhone, so you don't need to use data roaming overseas. GPS and compass should work with data roaming turned off.

My next trip overseas isn't for another few weeks, but I downloaded a map of downtown Dubai. I'm looking forward to trying it out.

The compass should. It's just a magnet in the iPhone. The GPS might not, though--it does seem reliant on an external assistance server. I don't have a 3G S, but AFAIK, the two systems are independent.

FWIW, I do have a pretty good sense of direction (like Steve M) and am not easily disoriented. Some older subway systems, though, do get me, with their myriad of twists and turns coming up from underground...

I still travel with an old school compass Usually always in my laptop case~

It can come in handy when using a paper map, or just navigating around a town...

The compass on the 3GS works in airplane mode, so no outside info required (beyond the magnetic field).

So far, I've found my 3GS compass function to often be less accurate than it would appear from the specific degree readings it provides. For example, it has put true North in a different place on multiple sequential trials (not a whole lot different [25 degrees or so], but enough to mess you up if you're trying to identify an exit on a roundabout with a lot of exits and no signs). Inexplicably, mine (at least) does get better over time with trials in the same location.

My $8 pocket compass is very consistent, if not very specific.