The Nuvi's DO have a compass screen. Simply hold down on the green signal bars. Now, you have to move and it shows you which direction you are going. That screen also shows you your current coordinates.
Add in pilotsnipes directions that add descriptions, logs and hints....well now you are cooking.
But the above is also correct, it is not rugged. For my use right now (using it in town, in parks with easy PnG's since I'm new to this) it's perfect. If I start going on longer, more rugged trips, I will probably want to invest in a better handheld.