Without an MEL everything on the aircraft must be serviceable before strictly legitimate flight.
utter bollocks.
Flying looking out the window realistacly needs nothing. No compass no engine instruments absouletly nothing apart from a window to look out of. You need instrumets to comply with ATC but thats it.
to comply and be safe with other traffic needs one or two instruments.
Your really really trying to make out that VFR flying is something special when it really isn't.