South West 25 vs 50k

Dave you tried looking for the CALM (DEC) maps for the areas in question? I've got a number of them and they are very detailed.
It you're talking about digital maps why not give Landgate a call?

Davoe.

I/v got them they are old but detailed

EO member The Explorer did them (Greg)

go as far east as Targon Harbor

Richard

Hi Dave,
I have the 50k DOLA maps as you describe and I find them pretty good for for detail for the SW. They go just east of Esperance, but not as far as Cape Arid/Israelite Bay (pity).
The CALM maps have different detail, which make them better in the SW forestry; they show virtually every fire trail thru the state forest and lots more. As far as I know, they are not available in digital format; I spent months scanning my A1-sized maps on my little A4 scanner and stitching them together with the photoeditor. But they are more useful than the DOLA ones, but only cover the SW from about Julimar, just north of Perth, to about Denmark, west of Albany.
Haven't seen the 25k maps, but I doubt if they would provide much more detail than the 50k series.
The Explorer might be able to provide more info, as he has put together quite a few of these maps commercially, and may have something in the pipeline.
Cheers
Gerry

The smaller the number (or the larger the scale) the more detail you will get. The big problem is the increased number of maps needed (it takes 6 1:100,000 maps to cover the same area of 1 1:250,000.)

PeterD

Hello Davoe - I have both sets of the digital versions of the maps you mention (strange as it may seem:) so can offer direct comparison. Coverage of each map set is best seen by downloading the respective Landgate Map catalogues

25K is on this page

Site Link

50K is here

Site Link

As you mention the maps are a tad old (and getting older) so discrepancies in certain areas with respect to man made features will exist and in some areas will be dramatic. I have been verbally abused by one buyer because of this fact so I need to ensure people are aware that this may be an issue, other people have actually stated they are happy with older maps as they often show tracks not shown on newer maps (cant win). If the maps don’t suit your intended purpose don’t buy them. Only you can decide this, no one else…though I understand it can be difficult if you cant try before you buy.

Anyway – Landgate (formerly DLI formerly DOLA) no longer update their 25K/50K paper maps so what is on the DVDs is the best that is available from them without getting the latest digital data and making your own maps (expensive). I am however planning on adding Bibbulmun and Cape to Cape walk tracks to the maps (and maybe others) to improve them, though getting data is a challenge.

The 25K series have much better detail with respect to tracks than 50K(approaching CALM level but not as up to date) and have contour levels at 10m intervals (50K is 20metres). The 50K, as you will see covers far greater area than the 25K and also has cadastral boundaries which can be handy (albeit slightly out of date in some areas). Which series best suits you needs is difficult to say – suspect 50k series may be better all-round value as it covers a greater area so maybe investigate further if it suits your needs. Best way to see what each map series has to offer is go to a map shop and look at the paper versions or I think Perth Map Centre (Hay Street) has computer set up so you can look at the digital versions.

The CALM (now DEC) 50K forestry maps are updated on a regular basis and are therefore better in most respects to the Langate series though they can be a bit “busy” ie crowded with info. They are in fact available in digital format but at some ridiculous cost of +$400. I think they provide them free to emergency services. Other option is to do what other people do and scan your own, which may or may not be a suitable option.

I am currently doing Pilbara 50K maps (400 maps in total) which hopefully some will find handy.

Cheers
Greg

I use the 50K quite a bit for weekends "down south" & find it quite good for what I want, and used along with DAST, haven't found a road/track not shown on one or the other.