I recently completed my collection of OS maps for Memory Map and was wondering about the prospect of going paperless.
I aleady own a Windows Mobile PDA and Geko 201 GPS and with the addition of the correct cable I should be able to abandon the map (or at least confine it to the depths of my pack for emergencies). I already carry both for the purpose of paperless geocaching but I thought I should take the logical step.
The two things I need to complete the set up are stopping me. First, a cable to connect a PDA and Garmin GPS and second, a totally watertight map case. Thing is, I've never seen either.....
Any ideas?
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 Dave, I use an OtterBox for my PDA. Guaranteed waterproof and strong enough to drive a car over without damaging the content. PDA to Garmin cables are available from many places - though I prefer a bluetooth GPS unit.
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 Ortlieb mapcases are totally bombproof and last for years (apart from eventually turning a dull yellow colour!). As well as the square mapcase they do document cases in A4, A5 & A6 sizes. I use the A5 for maps and the A6 for valuables. One of those could be just the job.
see them at http://www.fieldandtrek.com/shop-Ortlieb.htm
...but you might find them cheaper elsewhere.
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 I use Anquet and a Garmin Etrex Summit. But I always print off the route map onto A4 and seal with a laminator or Transpaseal. I can't imagine going out without a map. In fact, if I've got the appropriate OS map, it goes along as well.
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 I use Anquet and Geko 301, and I've got a iPAQ 2210 and the cable to link them. Thing is, the screen size just doesn't cut it for me. Mibbe when those fancy "paper" LCDs are in production it'll be a reality.
However - my mate used MM on my iPAQ to replan sections of a CWT walk recently - it was very handy having "maps" which he didn't have paper copies of - so mibbe there is a use after all?
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 Personally i use MM and a Geko 301, no PDA though. I can't imagine going into the hills without a paper map and a compass as backup to the electronics. What happens if you're somewhere remote and the batteries in the pDA go or you lose it or break it ? I do tend to print paper maps off from MM now rather than buying them though.
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"Personally i use MM and a Geko 301, no PDA though. I can't imagine going into the hills without a paper map and a compass as backup to the electronics. What happens if you're somewhere remote and the batteries in the pDA go or you lose it or break it ? I do tend to print paper maps off from MM now rather than buying them though."
Indeed. The paper map and compass will never be replaced. Just feel like consigning them to the bottom of the bag.
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 I have the same set-up as Bill. (nice one Bill ;-) )
My map is very important to me and I use it just as much as I did before I got my GPS.
The problems I've found with printing just the bits I need are:
o at 1:25000, A4 covers bugger all and so I need many sheets.
o I always want to know about something that's no on the bits I've printed, e.g. Whats that peak over there?
o When printing in black (colour is too expensive!) those nice blue lines (streams) print black and so it makes things very confusing.
I've found the best thing is to do print the route with the route card on the back. This way I know where each waypoint is. I keep this in an easily accesible pocket with the GPS.
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 If you find colour too expensive Ian, get a Canon printer. Generic cartridges are very cheap. I use one to print off my maps.
Agree about the size of maps at 1/25000. But I just put 2 together in a plastic wallet and I can get an 18 mile round trip on an A3 sheet. That's enough of a day for me.
I find it easier to carry a plastic wallet, folded over so that my thumb's near where I was a minute ago, with the main full size map in a plastic bag in my rucksack.
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1:25k is too many sheets? - easy, just use 1:50k :-)
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 Aaaargh! The Techies are taking over! What's wrong with a good old OS map??
<mumble, mumble, grumpy old woman, mumble, all this new fangled clever stuff, mumble>
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 it gets wet, difficult to fold, invariably the bit you want is on another sheet. but they are cheap.
1:25000 too big .....print the 1:25000 at 1:50000 scale (i assume memory map will let you rescale the map to whatever size you want) here in the jolly old south east i fond that rescaling to 1:12500 is rather useful for those crowded bits.
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Ian, I find using the colour laser printer at work saves on the cost of ink! ;-)
More seriously I tried a supplier that someone on here recommended recently and got 5 sets of cartridges for an Epson Photo 700 printer for about £14 the lot and so far they seem to be pretty good. The company is www.bestpriceink.co.uk
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Thanks for the suggestions about printing at 1:50000. I happen to find the extra detail on 1:25000 very useful thank you.
What I find even more useful is my good old Explorer maps, I always take the relevant one if I have it, and if not I find the 1:50000 frustrating.
I just got a newsletter (sale-promo)offering me some new fangled waterproof paper specifically aimed at those that print maps. It replaces the need to laminate standard stuff. The price? £14.95 + £3.95pp for, wait for it, 25 sheets! I could buy an Explorer for that, the scissors to cut it up, and a pint to keep my thirst at bay.
Having experimented with printing from mapping software, I will only do so in future is when I don't already have the relevant Explorer/Landranger map and don't have the time to go and buy it.
Bill. If I get new colour cartridges, the kids will just empty them again before I can use 'em. I'll give that site a try though. Might even extract it out of their pocket money :-O
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