I tend to be more lax on instrument scans (CROSS CHECKING) on VFR
flights only because my eyes need to be outside the window! *So even
if this happened tomorrow, realistically I don't think I would have
caught this mistake.

I think being near line of sight while looking forward is exactly why
the compass is in on top of the panel in sight of the windshield...
I've yet to fly a plane where it's not there...

Cheers