Ordnance Survey maps are still as popular as ever. With GPS units decreasing in price and more and more smartphones featuring GPS abilities why are walkers, hikers and campers still reluctant to give up the trusty old map? After all, nowadays GPS units are able to locate where you are, show you where you need to go and even speak to you! In actual fact, in the UK alone, an OS map is sold every 7 seconds. My look at the OS Explorer, OS Landranger and OS Explorer Map active range of maps should hopefully show you why a map is still crucial for your outdoor adventures.
I have always found looking at an Ordnance Survey Explorer map fun, is that weird? Scoping out an area and planning on a map before setting off into the outdoors has always interested me. I find that the OS Explorer map is the best for this. They are the most detailed OS maps available, showing fences, small boundaries and viewpoints. At a scale of 1:25,000 they are perfect for walkers, off road cyclists, hikers, people who work outdoors and teachers leading school trips. The level of scale and detail means that the OS Explorer map has become the standard used by most individuals and organisations for outdoor use.
The OS Landranger map is an all purpose map. The maps show a 40×40 km area at a scale of 1:50,000. These maps are well suited for bikers, hikers and walkers who are looking to plan their activities. Cyclists and long distance hikers are going to love the size and scale of the map as you can get a great view and perspective of the area. Due to the larger scale of the map it is not as detailed as the OS Explorer maps so you will not find any map details that a horse rider may require. There are 204 maps in the series so chances are that all the best places to walk, hike and cycle are covered!
Maps have an uncanny ability to rip and tear at the most crucial times. They also seem to be allergic to rain, the paper becoming soggy and resulting in the map becoming incomprehensible. The Ordnance Survey Explorer Map Active map is the cure! These maps are specially laminated allowing them to be waterproof, tear-resistant and they can withstand over 10,000 folds. You can even write on an OS Explorer Map Active with a pencil and erase it with a rubber, perfect for marking out points on a hike and then erasing them for a new route next time.
We would be lost without maps… literally! Choosing the right map is extremely important, the scale, type and size of the map need to suit your conditions and activities. It pays to buy an OS map from a specialist retailer who knows what they are on about, they can apply their expertise and help you find the right maps for you. Keep an eye out for savings on many maps, some specialists such as Above and Beyond, often sell Ordance Survey maps with decent discounts, it is definitely worth a look.