Jim, for basic navigating the little ball compass that pins on your clothing is as good as it gets. All you need to do is glance down at it and you know what direction you are heading at any time without fumbling around with a regular compass. I always carried at least two other regular compasses with me also when I hunted the Maine North woods and eventually added a GPS.
I would read on the computer about how to navigate with a compass, "can dead men vote twice" comes to mind, it's a memory aid for >compass deviation magnetic, variation true: information involving that can be found on the bottom of every topo map, it involves true North and magnetic North aka deviation and variation.
Good to know how to use a compass, but I think when you really start looking into the nitty gritty of using one to navigate from point A-B, B-C, C-D, etc., you will realize how simple it is to use the GPS!
My suggestion would be the little ball compass, and TWO GPS units! :lol:
BTW: I use the ball compass 98% of the time, I get the general direction on the GPS, turn it off, then start heading for it using the compass, after awhile I turn the GPS back on and adjust my heading if needed to go to my destination, I NEVER use the GPS to do 100% of the navigating. If looking for an area in the dark I shine a light on the ball compass here and there to stay on course , then I will turn on the GPS when I get close and keep it on until I am at the spot.