O/S maps and how not to ruin them

[squid]

So how do you prevent your maps from getting damp and tatty?

I have a waterproof case but you can always bet on rain at the time you need to take it out to re-fold.

Can you get highlighters that don't rub off for the waterproof maps?

 

[John Armstrong]

Can you get highlighters that don't rub off for the waterproof maps?

Marker pens? IIRC meths gets the marks off.

Or old tech are chinagraph pencils, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crayon

 

[FERRET]

I usually photocopy the areas that i will be travelling and then laminate them, by doing this you can photocopy the areas that you want, cut them down to the size of your map case, and when laminated they are waterproof, you can either mmark your route on the photocopy prior to laminating or after with a permanent cd marker pen, your os map is still like new and can be used time and time again.
I just use a printer/photocopier attached t my computer at home £45 and a laminater from WH Smith £9.99

 

[squid]

Marker pens? IIRC meths gets the marks off.

Or old tech are chinagraph pencils, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crayon

Do the marker pens not cover up detail or if you use a bright colour you can still see through them? I don't think you can get permanent highlighters can you?

 

[John Armstrong]

They can, so I tended to use a thin one to circle the feature / info.

 

[squid]

I usually photocopy the areas that i will be travelling and then laminate them, by doing this you can photocopy the areas that you want, cut them down to the size of your map case, and when laminated they are waterproof, you can either mmark your route on the photocopy prior to laminating or after with a permanent cd marker pen, your os map is still like new and can be used time and time again.
I just use a printer/photocopier attached t my computer at home £45 and a laminater from WH Smith £9.99

I used to do this on the cheap when I had access to a colour copier - except I sellotaped them in cling film I've kind of given up on colour printers now as the cheap ink never works well, the proper ink I try to use sparingly and then the the things dry up!

 

[nick.ct]

You could try these.............

http://leisure.ordnancesurvey.co.uk...e-survey-great-britain-os-explorer-active-map

And yes you do need a road bike

 

[squid]

You could try these.............

http://leisure.ordnancesurvey.co.uk...e-survey-great-britain-os-explorer-active-map

And yes you do need a road bike

John says he bought one of the water proof ones and marked it with a highlighter - I hear he looked like a kid in a paint factory after an hour as it all came off

road bikes are so last year.....

 

[nick.ct]

Then use a Chinagraph pencil as suggested

I'm talking proper roadbikes, not Dozy Doras

 

[skyenet]

I have also used a laminator to cover maps but then your maps do not fold. I used clear sticky back plastic to cover a few different maps on our recent trip to Europe and that worked well as they were still pretty reasonable to fold and remained dry, even through one incredible thunderstorm when everything else got soaked through, including us

 

[Greg Masters]

 

[Terry NW]

which garmin model is that ? and how nuch does it cost

Squid , I've used Maps for years and maked where i'm going , then laminate the maps. you can double side the sheets per laminate sheet., make sure you level about 15mm form the edge of the laminate sheet to wear the paper map is because you can get water threw some times.. just in case you drop you bike on a river crossing

 

[Greg Masters]

which garmin model is that ? and how nuch does it cost

Garmin Oregon. Cleverly road-routable on OS maps apparently. Not sure about current prices.

Greg

 

[Terry NW]

Garmin Oregon. Cleverly road-routable on OS maps apparently. Not sure about current prices.

Greg

just seen the prices on ebay, but worth it if your doing a lot of route finding etc,.

cheers
terrry

 

[Stujw70]

If you have maps that are coated like the waterproof OS maps and aviation charts you can use a permanent marker pens to mark your route. Once completed go over it with a dry wipe marker pen and it will rub off.

 

[bladerunner]

Fablon is your friend!

I've just finished 17 days at Sandhurst - anyone whose done the PQO course knows the "pleasure" of Fablon-ing dozens of maps long into the night. Fortunately the bar was open!

Then then take china graph pencils.

 

[andyclift]

Go to WH Smiths and get a roll of clear sticky back plastic as used for covering books. The width is just over half an OS map and a roll is enough for a complete map.

I have used this trick for years as I hate working out of map cases when backpacking. Although its only on one side it keeps the map pristine in all weathers, it can be written on with chinagraph pencils and rubbed out and the maps still fold but now the folds are strengthened so don't wear out and tear.

It takes a bit of care to put the plastic on without creases. I used to have access to military issue maps which came rolled, not folded, which made it easy but when I have had to buy maps I have just ironed them first to flatten out the folds a bit before applying the plastic.

 

[Womble]

So how do you prevent your maps from getting damp and tatty?

I have a waterproof case but you can always bet on rain at the time you need to take it out to re-fold.

Can you get highlighters that don't rub off for the waterproof maps?

A number of solutions, none of them are ideal:
1) Laminate or cover the maps yourself (mark with chinagraph)
2) Buy the Aqua3 laminated maps from the OS (mark with chinagraph)
3) Pay for software like Memory Map or Anquet so that you can print out just the areas that you need and store them in a clear map case (mark the route before printing out and use both sides to minimise the number of times you need to open the case)
4) Buy a mapping GPS like Greg's Oregon. I bought a Satmap off eBay for £200, but that was a very good deal. Even then, don't go out without a paper map in reserve. (like above, mark the route using a PC before you leave)

For biking, you should really be able to get away with Landranger maps (50k) - don't bother with the Explorers (25k) unless you have a very good reason to.

 

[squid]

Thanks for all the replies.

The chinagraph pen sounds good for marking a route but what I want is to mark the greenlanes up with something that won't rub off but can still be seen through like a highlighter can.

Sealing a paper map afterwards is one solution, although as a waterproof map only costs £4 more, option 1 makes the most sense if I can find the right type of pen.

As for the electronic mapping, I have a trusty Quest and the TOPO mapping. I find this perfect in conjunction with an O/S map. A satnav alone I find doesn't give you the same 'sense' of an area as a map does. Plus the detailing on the Quest/Topo isn't quite what an O/S maps gives.

So my hunt is on for the most appropriate perm marker

 

[andyclift]

If you seal the map properly chinagraph won't rub off till yo want it too. It's reliable enough for RAF pilots to note navigation details on their knee pad maps.