I would learn to use a baseplate compass first. Take a class. Get a book, my recommendation is, Be Expert With Map and Compass, Bjorn Kjelstrom, excellent book, and if you have a compass when you read it you will have a greater understanding when done. Personally, I'm not a fan of lensatic compasses. Could be a lack of knowledge of how to properly use them, but just looking at one baffles me. How do you set declination? How do you set bearings? To me a baseplate is so much easier to use, no math to do, and it becomes second nature once you learn to use it, and use it frequently.
Couple of recommendations: Suunto M2D for a simple baseplate, that is inexpensive, full featured, superior engineering, and lasts a good long time.
Silva Ranger for a full size, mirrored sighting compass. I use this compass on longer trips, because I can fold it open and use it for plotting longer routes, triangulating positions from distant objects, etc. It is full featured, easy to use, lasts a long time, and has won several awards from leading outdoor publications. Just don't get the CLQ model. It is broken into four quadrants, and forces you to make a few adjustments when setting bearings and translating them onto your map. Get the CL model, and eliminate that little headache.