My current compass is an expensive thing. My first one was not. Learning to use a compass is simple, but not easy. Now you have to combine the direction that you want to go in with distance AND account for terrain while you are going in the right direction. Remember the maps, well here we go.
Compasses are essentially simple devices.
They tell you which direction you are standing in. If you are good, they will even tell you how to go in another direction. No, really, it isn't that hard. The first thing to do with a compass is to learn where to hold it so that you can get a good reading. No, it's not at arms reach or under your buddies nose.