Map Cover

[Catcher]

Perhaps a small issue, though could turn into a big one if your map gets destroyed by rain, but wondering if anyone can advise what, if any, map cover they're using and what size they find most useful. I've seen offering from Sea to Summit, Sealine, and others usually in 3 different sizes.

[oyster_07]

Zip-loc bags are good. Although not as hard-wearing over multiple uses, they are light and can easily be folded.

[Catcher]

Yeah I've seen reviews of some that complain some of the covers make the maps difficult to fold or store.

[Moondog55]

Wouldn't be an issue if the maps were printed on tyvek rather than paper

[Catcher]

I notice there is something from REI that you can paint/spray on maps to waterproof them.

[GPSGuided]

You can get those clear sprays from art supply stores.


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[Mark F]

I have tried the S2S TPU map cases (some of the most flexible ones I have seen) and found them too bulky and unwieldy. On long trips I have used one to hold maps etc that are not currently required. While I now mainly use pdf maps on my phone with a paper backup. For paper maps my current preference is to photocopy the required parts of the map onto A3 or A4 paper and treat it as expendable storing it in a ziplock bag. This works well with both digital and paper maps.

OfficeWorks can print on tyvec at reasonable cost. http://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/Print-And-Copy/Plans. You can also buy waterproof paper (A3 and A4) if you print your own.

[GPSGuided]

Thanks for the tip on printing onto Tyvek from OW. To this point, I've tried map cases (bulky) and more recently home print scanned topo and then laminate at OW. Will give the Tyvek option a try next.

[MickyB]

For paper maps my current preference is to photocopy the required parts of the map onto....A4 paper and treat it as expendable storing it in a ziplock bag.

This is exactly what I do. If I need two maps I'll put them back to back in a zip lock bag so I can read either map without taking them out. I've never had any problems with them getting wet.

[photohiker]

Or buy some water resistant paper. I've been using Markrite BKS130 50% rag paper to print maps with excellent results. Copes with a bit of water and rain, doesn't fall to pieces.

http://www.markrite.com.au/loose.html

[GPSGuided]

Do you not need water resistant ink to work with water resistant paper? Not sure if my Epson inkjet is water resistant enough for the task.

[photohiker]

Laser print it at officeworks. That's what I did anyway

[Moondog55]

I think you have to specify archival ink and pay a premium for them to be waterproof but well worth it I imagine

[Mark F]

At work I have access to a colour laser printer rather than an ink jet. The prints don't seem to bleed when wet.

[photohiker]

Yep. It's not worth paying for waterproof ink for a few sheets of maps.

Moondog, not sure archival ink is waterproof...

[clance]

I use a tpu case, yeah a bit bulky I guess but I also keep a notebook, pencil and any other various pieces of paper that I may need in there.

I think they're worth the extra bulk for the protection they provide to what is imo a vital piece of safety equipment

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[GPSGuided]

Problem with TPU abd similar cases is that the topo maps don't take the fold and roll well, invariably splitting after 1-2 trips. Now I'm getting into the habit of scanning and reprint.

[Gadgetgeek]

I like the seal-line closure over the roll and velcro of the S2S one. But having the map waterproof itself is much more effective. Laminating sections also lets you make notes with a sharpie or grease pencil. It would be nice if the maps were available in tyvec, I'd pay for them. I still like my map case to keep organized, but its nice to not have to worry about a rain-drop or two.

Just a thought to anyone cutting up maps to laminate or print. Make sure you have the map name and number on there somewhere in case you need to use the map as part of an emergency communication. I know lots of folks use spots and EPIRBs, so its less critical, but anyone having to communicate via phone, sat-phone, or in-reach, If you can give the map number to the call center, they can work with the info you give them. But a grid reference is useless without the map number as well. I know its old news for old hands, but more thinking about rookies who find the topic via google.

[beardless]

I use an A4 plastic sleeve which I fold over to make it more water proof and for in my pocket.

[GPSGuided]

Where can one find grease pencils these days?

[stry]

I think that is what we called Chinagraph pencils, GPS. Don't know if that was a generic term or a brand name, but they may have been Staedler - maybe ?.

Walking map cases Orlieb or zip lock bags. I find the small Ortlieb, 24 x 17 very useful, and also use the A4 size. Very flexible plastic.

[rucksack]

I commercially laminate all my maps & charts. That way, they are protected by a flexible, waterproof laminate that I can repeatedly write on with a normal pencil and erase with a normal eraser. I don't both with anything else. The laminated maps are waterproof, robust, flexible and can also double up as an unstructured umbrella, a 'tablecloth' and as a wind 'deflector' in my Tarptent Moment, when the wind tries its best to whistle through the mesh. Perfect. For kayaking, I similarly don't bother with any map case; the laminate is all I need. On occasion, my laminated charts & maps have even doubled as a small downwind sail for short stretches. A map, an umbrella, a tablecloth, a wind deflector & an impromptu sail: what is there not to like about laminated maps? And did I mention no map case to fiddle around with?

[GPSGuided]

Thanks Stry for the pointer on the wax pencil. I tried to source it last year but couldn't get anywhere apart from Aliexpress and only in volume. I'll have another go. Officeworks definitely doesn't have it.

[GPSGuided]

Rucksack, may I ask how big are your laminated maps?

[tastrax]

Thanks Stry for the pointer on the wax pencil. I tried to source it last year but couldn't get anywhere apart from Aliexpress and only in volume. I'll have another go. Officeworks definitely doesn't have it.

Try these - http://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/offi ... st108209bk

[peregrinator]

Thanks Stry for the pointer on the wax pencil. I tried to source it last year but couldn't get anywhere apart from Aliexpress and only in volume. I'll have another go. Officeworks definitely doesn't have it.

Try these - http://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/offi ... st108209bk

They only have Black. Available in five colours from http://www.officeking.com.au/Office-Supplies/staedtler-808-chinagraph-pencils/

[Lizzy]

I photocopy A4 sections and put back to back and laminate. Great for packrafting.

[rucksack]

Sorry for the slow reply GPSGuided, I have been away kayaking for the past 2 days. These are TASMAP 1:25,000 series maps, so 82cm x 50cm. TASMAP has now archived their 1:25,000 series (as well as their 1:100,000 series), replacing them with a new 1:50,000 series. It's another reason for laminating the 1:25,000 series; when they have sold out, that's it - no more. Digital versions of the archived 1:25,000 series are currently still available online, but they will not be reprinted.

[GPSGuided]

Can't understand how they decided to remove the 25k series. It's the default for walkers.


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[rucksack]

According to a TASMAP manager whom I spoke with a month or so ago, it's principally a budget & resources matter. Many of their 1:25,000 maps have not been updated for a very long time and they simply don't have the budget or staff, (one accounts for the other, of course), to do so. Having now archived their old 1:25,000 series (and their 100,000 series too - both a mixture of AGD66 & GDA94), they are concentrating on releasing their new 1:50,000 series, which are all based on GDA94. The same manager told me that TASMAP are hoping to keep this new 1:50,000 topographic series of maps fairly current in terms of regularly updating their data. And yes, the 1:25,000 is ideal for bushwalking (and kayak touring too, on the rivers and lakes), but my understanding is that TASMAP no longer has the staff, nor the overall resources to keep the 1:25,000 series current. Pity. Those who have extensive 'collections' of the 1:25,000 series are conserving their copies, as you might expect; hence, the commercial laminating on my part. TASMAP's archived versions of their 1:25,000 and 1;100,000 topographic series are currently online and can be utilised, but as I said in my previous post, they will not be reprinted by TASMAP (and some of the more 'popular' 1:25,000 topographic maps are already out of print).