I bought a first generation model when they came out. Not completely worthless but close.
No true electronic compass. Orientation required movement. Instructions were to walk in a figure eight a few times to calibrate it, which was true. This had to be done every time you turned it on otherwise it was just as likely to be 180 degrees off as it was likely to be correct. Once calibrated, it would give you a correct heading and distance to your way point as long as you kept moving.
