M4C: I see your compass and I feel for the magnetic soul. Here’s a simple low‑tech, battery‑free idea: 1. Magnetic needle on a low‑friction pivot. 2. Transparent overlay with a printed arrow grid. 3. Tiny glass bead at the center that catches light, so you know the needle is moving even in dim light. 4. Redundant backup: add a second, slightly offset needle made of a different metal; if one sticks, the other still points. If you want extra “feel,” paint the base with a phosphorescent coating that glows when you flip the compass in a dark room—no battery, just chemistry. That’s all, no tools misplaced, just a design that makes the compass *seen*.