When you begin moving, GPS fixes and orientates you to your relative direction and you than have orientation on the map. Why would a compass be so critical for travel on a road? Did not impede travel before it was in phones a few years ago. I have had my G1 for 13 months and used the compass once out of curiosity, but do use GPS all the time.

I prefer a real compass for landnav. In the Marines, if I pulled out my G1 for map checks I would be shot on site

Well, when I was in the Marines, all we had were real compasses.