Aqua3 Evolution Map Tested

Aqua 3 Evolution Map Tested

There are two problems with standard OS maps, one is that they're made of paper and have a limited lifetime if you use them regularly in the outdoors, even with a map case. The second is that sheets have arbitrary borders so you may need more than one map for a single walk.

The Aqua 3 Evolution aims to sidestep this by using a unique plastic paper along with an online ordering process which allows you to centre the map in either 1:50,000 or 1:25,000 customisable form, then adjust the centre of the map until it covers the exact area you want.

It's basically an OS Select map printed on plastic paper for the first time in the UK.

Apart from the OS Select map's customisable borders, which is all about computery stuff, it's mostly about the plastic paper which is a very thin paper laminated to a super-thin plastic layer front and back. At 107 grammes it weighs only marginally more than a standard 97-gramme paper Landranger, but is completely waterproof and claimed to be tough and durable.

It's also a lot lighter than a laminated map - a laminated OS Explorer tips the scales at 195 grammes and is much bulkier and more awkward to handle.

We bought the map in quesion - 'Jon's Peak Map' ourselves. The actual ordering process is straightforward. You choose a scale and a point or town or post code to centre the map around then preview the map.

Once the 1:200,000 preview is up, you can move the borders around until you're happy you have the area you want. Once you're happy, just click on 'Buy Map'. You then get the option to add a 16-character title and to choose whether the map is delivered folded or flat. Then you pay.

Our map arrived about a week later and has been on the go ever since. We chose it because it covers all the areas we walk in locally across the Peak and that's saved us having to use an additional map at least once, so that's a definite plus.

The plasticised paper is light, easy to use and seems generally tough. We had a go at tearing it, and nothing happened and it seems to be okay with repeated folding. Very like a paper map in fact, but far more durable and weather resistant. It's also much less awkward to use than any of the laminated maps we've tried, even Aqua 3's own lighter version.

Generally it's been near ideal, however we've just noticed slight delamination on the cover page of the map, the bit that gets the most rubbing when stuffed in packs and pockets. The outer plastic film is coming away from the paper underneath.

In classic scab-picking style, we nicked it with a sharp knife and exposed the printed paper underneath which is quite fragile. We don't know if it's a weakness of the process or a one-off problem but we'll be contacting Aqua 3 and letting you know. We're assuming that they'll replace the map.

Until we spotted the delamination, we'd have said it was durable as well, but we're reluctant to endorse the map until we've got to the bottom of the issue.

Laminates are always at risk of delamination if there's a problem with the bond between different layers and from that point of view, maps which use paper impregnated with polyethylene - which we think the award-winning BMC mountain maps utlilise - might be a more reliable long term bet. [Update: having said that, if you scrape a thumbnail over the BMC map it scuffs almost like a laddered stocking].

The Ordnance Survey themselves also sell customisable OS Select maps printed on water-resistant paper which they say is 'superior to that used in the OS Explorer and OS Landranger mapping, to ensure durability in the absence of a hard cover'.

Update

We've now heard from Alen at Aqua3. He tells us that our map was one of the first ones produced and the production methods have been changed and improved to 'increase the bonding and durability substantially without adding any weight to the product'.

Aqua3 are supplying a replacement map and will replace any other early plastic maps with the same issues. Alen's also asked us to keep using the original map as a way to independently assess what happens to a damaged map when used.

We don't think you can say fairer than that and once we've had a chance to use the replacement map for a while, we'll revise the test accordingly and add some marks. If the replacement does everything the original did but is tougher as well, we reckon it could be a perfect five out of five. Watch this space.

We'll also try some back to back toughness tests with the BMC map, the Aqua3 plastic map and a laminated map.

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