Thread: Paper Topo maps

Are people still uses them, and if so what do you use.
Brought LINZ ones or home printed?
I used to be a map and compass man with GPS as a backup. But over the last few years I have hardly pulled the maps out as technology has got so much better.
But I have got to thinking I should practice and keep the old skills alive.

Got all of NZ on my ipad, I just print off the area I’m hunting, and mark north on it.
Laminate it, and you’re away.

I've got the whole of NZ in paper 1:50 thous. Bought up big time just before they priced them from $1 each to $9 each (so talking quite a while ago )

I also have most of the Central plateau in paper 1: 25,000's (1962-63 ish timeframe). Boy there is some info on them that has disappeared off more modern maps ages ago. Heaps of Power project construction tracks, old SH 1 alignments, forestry tracks. etc. But go there and push through the undergrowth and there they are. Very handy for getting in and out of some locations.

Just print them off linz and get them laminated. Be sure to write on the Eastings and Northings.0

Take LINZ as a backup.

Mostly use LINZ download GEOTIFF files in Avenza Maps on the phone these days.

I've also printed specific areas if I know I am going to spend a lot of time in a small area.

Originally Posted by XR500

I've got the whole of NZ in paper 1:50 thous. Bought up big time just before they priced them from $1 each to $9 each (so talking quite a while ago )

I also have most of the Central plateau in paper 1: 25,000's (1962-63 ish timeframe). Boy there is some info on them that has disappeared off more modern maps ages ago. Heaps of Power project construction tracks, old SH 1 alignments, forestry tracks. etc. But go there and push through the undergrowth and there they are. Very handy for getting in and out of some locations.

MapsPast | Current and historical topographic maps (topomaps) of New Zealand

I sometimes print off the ones I need as I can often see what I need to see without putting my glasses on. My GPS i can't read without glasses and I seldom carry my phone since it doesn't work out the back anyway.

Originally Posted by Happy Jack

I sometimes print off the ones I need as I can often see what I need to see without putting my glasses on. My GPS i can't read without glasses and I seldom carry my phone since it doesn't work out the back anyway.

Me too!

I binned about 10kg to a skip over Easter,all NI

If i am going to a new area i end up buying a topo map, then copy and blow up the area am going in to and get it laminated.

Thanks some good suggestions there.
I used to buy a topo map cut it into A4 size pieces and laminate them.
My next question is how do I print from online to scale (I like my maps at 1:50000 scale - 20mm grid squares)
Makes taking grid references off map or plotting them on easy.

You have 2 options.
1) Download the map you want off linz. Make another copy and crop the map and adjust the zoom to suit.
Option 2 is to nztopo online (or something like that) and highlight and print the map you want.
I like big grid squares as it makes the hills look less steep. ����. Have a play. Making maps of new areas is cool.

Where do you get water prof paper from & will it go thrany printer

Originally Posted by mimms2

Only ever used a basic GPS (etrex) to find out where I was on a map. Bit quicker than hiking up a hill and triangulating with a compass and works in valley etc.
Got a number of linz ones for pre-hunt nosies, generally get a laser print A4 of the target area and laminate, or in a ziploc bag, to actually carry bush.

@mimms2, can you go thru how you do that pls (using basic GPS to find pos on topo map)

I've never managed to get a GPS unit to give me nz transverse mercator projection references, or even better the sheet grid reference.

Originally Posted by ebf

@mimms2, can you go thru how you do that pls (using basic GPS to find pos on topo map)

I've never managed to get a GPS unit to give me nz transverse mercator projection references, or even better the sheet grid reference.

Set your gps to nz 260 instead of wgs 84 or the older nz 49 and can cross referance to maps , just a fu// up nz map system most garmins used to have in settings .