Gear

Just a quick heads up to let you know that the test of the Aqua3 Evolution has been updated. Alen at Aqua3 tells us that the map we have was an early one and since then the production process has been revised to give better bonding and durability without any weight gain.

He's also asked us to carry on using the damaged map to see what happens to it.

Aqua3 will replace any other maps with delamination issues, so if you have a similar problem, get in touch.

We'll do an update once we have a new version of the map. If durability's up to scratch, we reckon it'll be near perfect being light, waterproof, very tear resistant and customisable.

Not cheap, but it should last an awfully long time plus the customisable element may actually save you the cost of an additional map. Note it's only slightly more expensive than the OS version which merely uses 'water-resistant' rather than waterproof paper.

Be interesting to know how they have improved the adhesion weather it be mechanical through A&R treatment or chemical by changing the ink or swapping the polymer to a terpolymer. Also weather it is uv stabilized for longevity

Hi G Ject, whats A&R treatment and polymer/terpolymer? answer on the back of a very small fag packet for us simpletons please ! Barry.

Hi Barry. A&R polarizes the paper fibers for the polymer to grip to. terpolymer is a petrochemical that nobody understands but works. molecular level I believe

cheers G. That almost meets my fag packet requirement ! but what dose the terpolymer actually do ? Barry

grips like a good en(through a chemical bond rather than a mechanical bond) though doubt it would it would be needed for such substates as this.

Thanx, a sort of chemical welding ?

you got it!

Great ! I can sleep now !

Okay now I want to know - what the heck do you do that means that you know all that G-Ject?

Sounds like you might have an interesting job.

Interesting! sadly not. Involved in the production of poly laminates of various kinds. In fact it's so interesting that although I'm there physically my heads always out on the hill but guess that's common with all the members here.

G, I think you might just have got yourself voted in as a resident member of the forum's scientific panel! Thanks for the trouble you went to explaining things to us non scientists amazing what can be learned here.

Yes ta - and it does sound interesting from an "outsider's" point of view :)