Maps

[NickfromWI]

We use the Thomas Maps to get crews from point A to point B. Thye are good. I want to get a BIG wall map that shows our whole area so I could quickly point in the morning, "You are here, you are going here."

I called Thomas Maps and they have one that covers our area, it's 4'x6' but the thing costs 160 bucks!

Anyone know of other good places? I thought it'd be cheaper to buy 2 of them, cut out and tape the pages together, then laminate it.

Any sources?

love
nick

 

[spacemule]

Our local walmart has a Rand McNally book that has in-depth detail of the entire county. I imagine you could dissect the thing and laminate it. If I recall, the price was $15.

 

[IndyIan]

I think you should be able to find one online free somewhere, US geological survey site or just your state web site.
http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/maps/county.htm

A local copy shop should be able to print it fairly large as well.

Ian

 

[rb_in_va]

Nick,
You should change your location information. Too bad you can't also change your username. How about NickfromCA?

 

[MasterBlaster]

$160? That must be one fancy map!

 

[R.Borist]

Look at it this way

If that big map lasts 3 years before you have to update it that's $53.33 per year. That's $1.02 per week or just over $0.20 per day.

If every day you save one man some time let alone one or more crews that map could be seen as an absolute bargain!

 

[MasterBlaster]

Yah, I guess that's what the guy who's selling it hopes potential buyers think.

I can find anywhere in my town with a $5 map. Or, Mapquest. I guess it's way harder in a huge city, though.

 

[geofore]

I used to use the 7.5 minute topos you can buy them at any map shop for about $4.50 each. US Dept. of Interior Geological Survey. You can buy cd's at any of the box stores with US maps for GPS. Google GPS and look at the software for the GPS machines. Kinkos has copiers that make large copies. Some counties have machines that will print 10'x20' maps at the courthouse. Some survey companies have printers that will print large maps. A shop that deals in maps can get what you want, try the yellow pages. The Mercedes came with two disc set with maps, hotels and sites to see in of all of EU so the wife and I didn't get lost. You can get discs of the US for under $100, find a large printer and print a map.

 

[MasterBlaster]

Well, there ya go!

 

[NickfromWI]

Originally posted by rb_in_va
Nick,
You should change your location information. Too bad you can't also change your username. How about NickfromCA?

Too bad? It's not too bad. I will gladly change my location info, but no matter what, I will forever be FROM Wisconsin. I live in CA, but I am not "from" CA.


Three years?! No way. We replace the maps here yearly. There are new streets all the time. But either way, I get your point. It's just sticker shock, I guess. I never would've expected it to cost even half that. I was thinking 30-50 bucks max.

I'm not sure if it'll be worth it. We have the book form of the same map. The wall map would be faster, but I don't think it'd ever pay for itself.

love
nick

 

[P_woozel]

Try a company called Areomap USA, they do a lot of mapping and with the computer work they do from areial photos you could get something for around a 100.00 at 1:24000 scal,e

 

[rb_in_va]

Originally posted by NickfromWI
Too bad? It's not too bad. I will gladly change my location info, but no matter what, I will forever be FROM Wisconsin. I live in CA, but I am not "from" CA.

True, I am not rb_from_va, I'm rb_in_va. In truth, I am rb_from_id!

 

[Koa Man]

I use MS Streets and Trips to print out a map of where the crew is going. You can adjust the size. You will probably need to print 2 maps, one of the general area and then a detailed map of the exact location. Unless the crew knew the general location of the work site having only the detailed map would have them in the "can't see the forest because of the trees" situation. This is assuming your crews are working where they are streets. If you are working in mountains, along unnamed dirt roads etc, this program will not help you.

 

[rb_in_va]

Koa,
I have used that program as well. It is very good. If you have a laptop and a GPS, you can use it as a navigation system to track where you are in realtime. That is cool. Later, Roger.

 

[Koa Man]

I do have a laptop and a GPS. The Garmin in my truck works just fine by itself, although I wish the screen was bigger. I hate to carry the laptop around in my truck. It has a 17" screen and is pretty big. I basically use my laptop as more of a desktop type machine and only take it with me if I will be away from home more than a couple of days.

 

[rb_in_va]

Koa,
You at least give it a try as long as you've got all the equipment. Maybe on your next trip or something. If you're working in your normal stomping grounds, it probably wouldn't be worth the effort. If you're traveling and are in unfamiliar territory, it could be a lifesaver. Of course, being on an island, you can only go so far, right?