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Waterproof/Weatherproof Maps ! Waterproof/Weatherproof Maps !
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Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia




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  #1  
Old 12 Feb 2008
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Lightbulb Waterproof/Weatherproof Maps !


Hi all,

Want to buy waterproof maps for my trips but don't know where to buy.

I've sent mail to Stanford and they recommended somewhere else but they sell waterproof maps of GB only.

Normal paper maps tear and get loss easily.

Can anybody recommend a good waterproof map source for me.
The maps will belong to main Europe, Middle East, Asia, Former Russian Countries. Scale between 1:250.000 to 1:750.000.

Thanks a lot for any help.

Samy
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  #2  
Old 12 Feb 2008
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Rough Guide has waterproof maps (cartography by Reise-Know-How Reise Know-How -- Die Spezialisten für individuelles Reisen , select Landkarten). However, I'm not sure you'll find waterproof maps in scale you want. Waterproof seem to be mainstream maps in scale about 1M.
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  #3  
Old 12 Feb 2008
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Camping stores sell something like Map Seal, a coating that's applied to paper maps.
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  #4  
Old 12 Feb 2008
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The sealer you buy in camping stores does an astonishingly good job. It takes about ten or fifteen minutes to coat a map, after which no amount of folding and refolding, wind, rain, snow or exposure to morning coffee spills will affect your map.
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Old 12 Feb 2008
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Akhm for the first time I've heard about those map seals :confused1:

Can anyone tell me something more. How it is aplied, is it like a gel or something else based so it doesn't interefere with the visibility of the map, but also gives it much needed protection against the elements, thanks
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Old 13 Feb 2008
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There is a product by Nikwax called map proof NIKWAX :: Easier, Safer, Drier

hope its what your looking for.
or international travel maps itmb publishing. I have some that are waterproof. Maps, Travel Gifts, Globes, Travel Books, Topographic Maps
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Old 13 Feb 2008
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Originally Posted by Frgich View Post
Can anyone tell me something more. How it is aplied, is it like a gel or something else based so it doesn't interefere with the visibility of the map, but also gives it much needed protection against the elements, thanks
I can't speak to the chemical process, but in practical terms the stuff is like water in viscosity and clarity. You paint it on with an ineffectual-looking foam brush, then let dry for a while. The instructions say to second coat, but I found this unnecessary if your first coat is thorough.

Don't know where you'd find this in Croatia, but it's quite common in shops in the USA. Judging by the wind and rain I saw along the coast north of Zadar, there ought to be a demand for it.

Hope that helps.

Mark
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Old 14 Feb 2008
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Rough guide maps are all plastic and the ones I have used were all well u-to-date and well laid out.

I recommend bookdepository.co.uk

Cheap and free worldwide delivery!

They are good for guidebooks, technical books and novels as well.
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Old 14 Feb 2008
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Hi McCartney, Hi Flyingdoctor,

Map case is a good solution. Dosn't work well if you have to use the map outside the case, under some rain etc.

Yeah, you re right. Instead of buying one, you can buy two maps without proof.

Thanks Peter for info. Checking it.
Another question: Who makes the best maps? What is your map source?
Michelin? Stanford? (I talk about 1:200.000/1:500:000 maps and also topographic ones).

Thanks a lot,

Samy
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Old 14 Feb 2008
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Originally Posted by Samy View Post
.
Another question: Who makes the best maps? What is your map source?
I found Gizi maps to be pretty good: Gizimap Travel Maps from Omnimap.com, world leader in map supply.

Having said that, some mapmakers produce better maps for some countries but not others.

Around the Alps, Fallert waterproof/tearproof are good. Theres are Kummerly & Frey maps that they get produces for them, specially for bikers fallert bmw tuning - Artikeldetailansicht - Wasser- und Reisfeste Landkarte Schweiz

Freytag&Berndt also make good maps for some countries: Freytag & Berndt Maps - buy from Mapsworldwide

John
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Old 26 Aug 2008
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Originally Posted by Samy View Post
......I've sent mail to Stanford and they recommended somewhere else but they sell waterproof maps of GB only.......
Samy
It looks like they have for other countries too
Alonissos: Anavasi Ref: 10.13 - Regional Road Maps & Atlases from Stanfords

There is also some Waterproof paper or Adventure paper(its actually not paper but will go in a printer anyway). If you scan or digi photograph your maps, and print them with a laserprinter they will be waterproof and tearproof.

Adventure Paper | The Web's Best Selection of Waterproof Papers

The paper type I tried and printed with inkjet, did loose some colour, when being washed, the laser ones didn't change at all. One month on my terrasse and no fading either),

This way you can also make more copies of the same map, if you are riding two or more.

You could even give the originals away after the trip, as they are as new ;o)

Sorry about trying to make you use more of this digital stuff but it does help once in a while ;o))
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