Outdoor Designs Hydra mapcase Reviews - Product Reviews

Outdoor Designs Hydra mapcase

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Outdoor Designs Hydra mapcase
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Average Rating: 2 out of 5
No. of Reviews: 9
RRP: £10
Year: 2004

Description: Waterproof protection for your map with a roll top closure. Fits all standard OS maps (320mm x 300mm).

REVIEWS

1 to 9 of 9 reviews, to post a review you need to be a member - Join now.

Chris Elmer

Posted: 24/08/06

'BLOODY AWFUL'

Strengths:
None... not one. I used it on a 27 mile hike and it fell to pieces.

Weaknesses:
The plastic rips, the straps fall out, it makes walking a misery.

Overall:
Buy the meridian map case. I used it on a 50 mile hike and it was fab.

Performance		20%
Reliability		20%
Value		20%

Overall Rating

20%

Christopher Stockdale

Posted: 18/09/02

'pathetic'

Strengths:
velcro and foldover is nice idea. Good adjustable cords

Weaknesses:
leaks basly in anything over a drizzle. Map gets wet, especially in the creases/folds. Hiker gets angry and writes review so that others do not make the same mistake in buying this product!
You would have thought that they could have seen this progression during their testing stage!

Overall:
DO NOT BUY THIS. you`ll waste more money in ruined maps than you save by not getting the Ortleib one

Performance		20%
Reliability		20%
Value		40%

Overall Rating

27%

mark Bradshaw

Posted: 20/08/03

'TERRIBLE (2003 VERSION)'

Strengths:
Looks good! Clear on both sides so more of the map is on view, good tie on points for compass if you like yours attached, folds down well and can be secured in this position with velcro

Weaknesses:
It leaks like a sieve...

Overall:
Why do you need a mapcase? To keep your map from turning into papier mache... a pretty basic thing for a mapcase to achieve I thought.
This one doesn't... One damp trip and the map is ready for the bin. That's £10 for the case and £6 for the map down the drain before I even get onto the £10 for the Ortlieb replacement.. Bah humbug!

Performance		20%
Reliability		20%
Value		20%

Overall Rating

20%

Andrew Dolman

Posted: 20/08/03

'I CONCUR WITH THE ABOVE.'

Strengths:
Folds in half with the map inside to give you an easier to handle package in high winds.

Weaknesses:
Leaks, therefore about as good as a chocolate teapot.

Surface is slippy so that your compass skids around when you are trying to take a bearing.

Overall:
Will suffice in light showers, but not if you drop it in a tarn or if it rains properly like what it tends to do in the UK.

Get the Ortlieb one, it is waterproof and has a non-slip surface for compass bearings.

Performance		40%
Reliability		40%
Value		40%

Overall Rating

40%

Stuart Thomas

Posted: 26/08/04

'WHAT'S THE POINT?'

Strengths:
Haven't noticed any

Weaknesses:
Leaks, flaps round in wind. Makes you look like a rambler.

Overall:
Save your pennies and buy a lam map. Much better. Fits in pocket. Leaves hands free for waht they should be doing. Smoking! (only joking)

Performance		20%
Reliability		40%
Value		20%

Overall Rating

27%

Ali James

Posted: 27/10/04

'PRETTY LAME'

Strengths:
I didn't pay full price, only £3.50

Weaknesses:
Not waterproof thanks to all that stitching.

Overall:
Good idea very poorly executed, roll over top would be good if the seams on the side didn't leak.

Performance		40%
Reliability		40%
Value		40%

Overall Rating

40%

James Cassidy

Posted: 27/10/04

'CHEAP AND CHEERFUL'

Strengths:
Clear all the way round, so you can see both sides at once.No pockets for things to fall out of, no covers to unfold, so lighter in weight.

Weaknesses:
It leaks. Alright in light showers, but take it up a munro in the weather we've had this year and you can be sure water WILL get in.

Overall:
I've used mine for going on two years and unless it's really throwing it down it's ok.

Performance		60%
Reliability		60%
Value		60%

Overall Rating

60%

Tian Zhang

Posted: 22/01/05

'SANDWICH BAGS WORKS BETTER...'

Strengths:
* looks very durable
* brilliant double folded closure

Weaknesses:
* pointless double folded closure as water gets in from the sides
* as waterproof as a sieve, even in light welsh drizzle
* compass slides all over the shop when wet
* velcro bits may get annoying and adds the to stitching problem

Overall:
no point using it really, your map will probably get wet. why dont they weld the seams or at least tape the stitching?

it's useful as a map holder, somewhere to attach the map when you dont need it, though the "anti-flap" velcro bits dont really perform at all.

this is probably suitable for other part of the world, but is pretty useless in wales.

Performance		20%
Reliability		20%
Value		40%

Overall Rating

27%

AlasterAM Smith

Posted: 09/08/05

'LIKE IT A LOT ACTUALLY'

Strengths:
Double sided view, folder over and webbing strap really useful.

Weaknesses:
None that caused me a problem - read the above reviews and put fabric proof on the edge bits when doing my coat.

Overall:
I used this in the Saunders Lakeland MM and found it excellent - even outperforming the ziplock sandwich bag I used before.

I was quite depressed having read the above reviews but they don't reflect my experience with this product, which performed just like you would what it to, even in the rain.

Performance		80%
Reliability		80%
Value		80%

Overall Rating

80%

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