Is the old school paper map dead?

In a word ...... No!
Paper maps will take you everywhere you need to go.

Hi

This subject has been discussed a few times before. Digital maps (and digital air/sat photos...and I suppose gps units) are not meant as a replacement for paper maps - there will always be paper maps. Digital maps/gps units are just an alternative option that have some significant advantages over just being equipped with a "paper map" (and visa versa). Use what option best suits your requirements at the time. There is no need to limit yourself to one or the other...you are possibly hobbling yourself if you do. If you have a printer you can actually print out a digital map on paper....believe it or not :)

At a guess most people these days use both, though they may favour one or the other . No big deal either way.

Cheers
Greg

PS: Some people still drive Land Rovers and just use parer maps (I assume) Very Retro :)

Not in my view.... I like to use both mapping modes. We have some stand-alone paper maps but our main reference these days is books, such as the large format Hema. These are great for effectively planning a general route across are large area - you can see it all at once. Digital mapping with GPS locating would be hard to do without though - knowing exactly where you are on a map is a huge bonus. I'm sure the demand for paper is shrinking though - it's only natural in these 'digital times' - just look where newspapers are going.

One of the most exciting things about travelling is to stop the car in the middle on nowhere, get out and spread the map on the bonnet...

No way are paper maps dead. We all know how reliable electronic gadgets are. NOT. Especially computers. We also carry a compass in the car.

Phil

G'day Arlo, I use both digital gismos and paper maps and like you I am not very proficient with new technologies but I still find paper maps much easier to use when planning trips over a wide distance . They are also much more convenient to use when you are involved in planning with a group. Regards john y

Hi Arlo,

Using both gives you the best of both worlds. Paper maps are good for trip planning where you can spread out a map of a state or the whole country to get a good overview. Also good laminated to hang on the wall to show where you have been.

Electronic moving maps that tell you exactly where you are are invaluable while on the road. But they can and do occasionally fail so its best to always carry paper maps covering your route - as a backup.

Cheers,

Val

Hi Arlo,

Like others have said, there seems to be something special about laying out a large paper map, either on the bonnet, or perhaps over a table when planning or traveling a trip. However I think this is probably just a semi-nostalgic link to ones past, kindling up of memories of times past, when life was simpler, with less gadgets - and a required emphasis of more thought given to ones planned journeys.

I would say that as most of these people pass on, or are unable to travel due to illness or other - that the next generation is unlikely to do this. In a few years we may be able to roll out digital maps on the bonnet. In fifty years some people will reminisce about the good times, when we used to roll out the digital map on the bonnet...etc

I myself took a great deal of time to come to accept digital maps, and the parallel navigation concepts that go with it. I still have all my paper maps, and used to recently say to always carry paper maps as backup - now I am just as likely to carry a spare digital map, eliminating the need for paper map backup.

The real concern for me here is not the media of the map, be it paper or touch screen - but the ease as which the link between the digital map and Global Positioning System makes navigation. Getting to within a few meters of your target is now done with ease - Provided the GPS satellites are operational, remembering of course that you will still be able to read your digital map without satellites, just not navigate digitally. Selective Availability on GPS satellites was only turned off a few years ago - when the U.S. feels defensive, who knows what they might do.

I still have my scale ruler, and used to use it often - however could only ever navigate to within a few hundred meters of my target and I was happy with that at the time. Remember that all the digital maps in the world will not tell you which way north is, or where you are on the map (with GPS disconnected). It is a worry that I see many totally relying on digital mapping when they have not done the basic navigational groundwork. This will end in tragedy for some. I love to follow the GPS arrow, and who doesn't, but you have to have a backup plan when the arrow goes out.

Myself, who only ten years ago could point to north naturally and with ease (in the daytime), now has to think about it instead of just doing it, but I have the experience to back me up - I pity those who do not have this experience and have to guess - wrong decisions could mean disaster.

So paper maps usage will deteriorate, however basic navigation skills for the up and coming tourers and 4WDrivers should be emphasised.

Cheers
Alan

Digital maps are much safer on the road and especially in city areas as you do not have to pull over or take your eyes off the road to read the map. Each methods have their advantages. Reading the old paper maps is becoming a lost skill. It is great to be able to use both and these days digital maps are a cheap way to go as they cover the entire country in detail. Paper maps are often expensive and get damaged over time.

Still use paper maps, print them off my digital maps via my large format printer.
But nothing like getting the compasses out and walking them across the map to do a general check of distances. Route planning software has it's limits.

I can however carry a full set of maps of all scales in my tablet, that would take up too much room in the car.

Drive by GPS, and reference a paper map as we travel.
Never know when the battery is going to be flat, or the GPS break down or loose signal.
Paper maps rip and wear out too, and with a digital copy I can print new ones before we go.

I hope paper maps are ok cause thats all weve got for our simpson trip, well only have the maps that come with the parks pass.
cheers

All my planning these days is done on the computer as it's so easy to bring up any map in just a few seconds, click & drag to plan a route using the tools to measure distances. Compared to paper putting a trip together now would take 90% less time.
In the car it's moving map using Ozi on a 7" screen. No need to roll out the topo on the bonnet to see where I am, no torn maps stuck together with sticky tape & no looking for the paper copy as every map I have of the entire country is all on one 32 gig card.
While learning to read paper maps has been very beneficial for my navigation skills, it's very rare I'd refer to paper these days. The exception would be those in guide books or from local tourist info centres where they simply aren't available electronically.
Looking forward to upgrading my mobile mapping to a 10" Android tablet.
Cheers Craig............