Jonsey's question hit the nail on the head. Pacing Beads are only useful if you know how to employ them. If not, then they are nothing more than a fashion affectation affixed to one's load-bearing gear.
By all means please correct me if I am wrong, but in this day and age of PLGRs and widespread civilian GPS use, I don't believe that "pacing" is even taught as part of the basic SQ/BIQ or CAP Nav Skills package. I hope that I am wrong, but around Gagetown I have never seen a CAP student employing a compass and pacing as a Nav technique. I've seen plenty of PLGR training occurring in lieu....
If anyone on this board has to explain how Pacing Beads are employed in concert with one's "known paces per 100m on flat, broken, uphill and downhill ground", then I rest my case. It was a basic nav technique in concert with compass skills when I went through basic (both times) and I would hope that such skills are still taught. But I fear not - at least based on what I've seen.
In any case, "pace beads" are a very useful nav-aide in conjunction with one's (verified) pace, a map and a properly declinated compass. But only if you know how to effectively combine all three tools in conjunction with the ability to "read ground". Otherwise the pace beads are like jewelry - pretty, but otherwise pointless.
The next time you see a troopie with "salty" pace-beads hanging off of his or her load-bearing gear, ask them what their average "fighting order" pace is on smooth ground, versus broken terrain, versus uphill, versus downhill. Then ask them for the same pacing figures based on "marching order". Chances are, you will get a blank stare or a bullshit answer. Colour me cynical, but I'd be surprised if half of the folks sporting the beads have ever actually used them for their intended purpose. But they are "Ranger Beads" don'cha know... just having them makes you COOL...... :