Aqua3 custom laminated waterproof maps

[slowster]

I recently decided it was time to get a replacement for a rather tatty and torn OS Landranger 1:50,000 paper map. The last time I replaced a map I bought a laminated/ecapsulated version of the standard Landranger map, which is relatively bulky and stiff/less flexible. Although the latter qualities may be an advantage in some circumstances, overall I find the laminated paper map to be less convenient and more awkward to fold on itself to a suitable small size, e.g. showing just one or two panels.

This time I bought a custom map from Aqua3 using the OS 1:50,000 mapping. It too is laminated, but the mapping is printed on a synthetic “paper” made of polypropylene. The lamination is also polypropylene. It's early days, but my experience so far is that the Aqua3 map has a better balance of stiffness and flexibility when folding the map down to one or two panels, while coping better with windy conditions than the more flexible plain paper maps.

The encapsulation of the Aqua3 map has a non-reflective finish. This is an improvement on the shiny finish of my older laminated paper Landranger map, because reflections from direct sunlight and indoor lighting on the shiny finish make it more difficult to read the map.

I took advantage of the custom mapping to move the centre of the map, and so leave out a large conurbation which features on the standard Landranger map, and in its place include more of the countryside where I ride. I also took up the 'Extra Landscape' option Aqua3 offer of adding two extra panels to the map. I was concerned that this might make the map too bulky and unwieldy, but it does not: it still weighs slightly less than the laminated paper Landranger*, and is less bulky.

Depending upon where someone lives and where they ride, the particular areas covered by standard Landranger maps may be less than ideal, and with custom mapping people can choose the map coverage that they want. For example, many of the Landranger maps covering the coastline include a large amount of the sea in the map's coverage, and in that situation I think many people may benefit from a custom map and the ability to choose for themselves exactly what area is covered by a map. The same may apply where much of a standard Landranger map is taken up by a major conurbation. In my case three custom maps would potentially replace five or more standard Landranger maps.

The price was £24.99 and postage was free. Their website states to allow up to 10 days for delivery, but mine took two weeks. As well as 1:50,0000 Landranger mapping, they also offer custom maps using 1:25,000 Explorer mapping, plus larger scales derived from enlarging the 1:25,000 Explorer mapping, as well as 1:250,000.

https://www.aqua3.com/index.asp

*laminated paper Landranger - 189g
Aqua3 with two extra panels - 174g
ordinary paper Landranger - 88g