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Posted: 3/21/2014 12:24:33 PM EDT
I'm looking for a better solution to hold maps and grid reference graphics (GRGs) beyond just stuffing them into a utility pouch. Currently eyeing the SealLine Map Case as it saves me the time to not have to run everything through a laminator before going out into the field. But the question is on how would it be best to stow it on your kit if you were to roll up your maps and graphics, as opposed to folding.
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I keep looking at those map holders. I just haven't pulled the trigger.
I usually fold them over on themselves so that my main AO is in the center then get them laminated. I have done a couple with packing tape but most Combat Camera units will do one right for you. All my GRGs have come laminated so I lucked out there. ETA. IRT the storage question, I just fold them and shove in my cargo pocket. |
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I keep looking at those map holders. I just haven't pulled the trigger. I usually fold them over on themselves so that my main AO is in the center then get them laminated. I have done a couple with packing tape but most Combat Camera units will do one right for you. All my GRGs have come laminated so I lucked out there. ETA. IRT the storage question, I just fold them and shove in my cargo pocket. Yeah, most of the time it gets crammed in my cargo, goes down my shirt, or jammed under a seat. |
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I like the sealline dry lock bags you posted, but if you get one not wide/large enough, you'll spend a lot of time fighting whatever crazy ass xeroxed/polish folded maps you stick in there. Run some 550 and a cheap carabiner to attach to your belt loop.
Our Grgs were about index card sized.. go to staples and get a box of single binder clips, punch a hole in your laminated grgs, run the single loop through like a flip/smart book, and 550/carabiner like above. eta: Steal and hoard rolls of lamination film and have your RTO or the first bored looking private you can find do the laminating. |
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Where are you getting maps with the MGRS? I've looked for them and the best I've been able to do for my area is USGS 7.5min quad maps.
Sorry for the hijack, I just use the sleeves that come in administrative pouches like Tactical Tailor has. They are velcro attached and easy to pull out and use without the chest rig or whatever they are on. |
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Where are you getting maps with the MGRS? I've looked for them and the best I've been able to do for my area is USGS 7.5min quad maps. mytopo.com makes nice ones with mgrs or utm. Really nice ones. You can also get a little nerdy with Google earth and use utm/mgrs overlay plugins to print to scale. |
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Where are you getting maps with the MGRS? I've looked for them and the best I've been able to do for my area is USGS 7.5min quad maps. Sorry for the hijack, I just use the sleeves that come in administrative pouches like Tactical Tailor has. They are velcro attached and easy to pull out and use without the chest rig or whatever they are on. Probably from work. |
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Quoted:
Where are you getting maps with the MGRS? I've looked for them and the best I've been able to do for my area is USGS 7.5min quad maps. Sorry for the hijack, I just use the sleeves that come in administrative pouches like Tactical Tailor has. They are velcro attached and easy to pull out and use without the chest rig or whatever they are on. S-2 |
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I've used nothing but seal line. They are awesome and are WELL worth the money. The Ranger school style of taping up a Ziploc bag is fine and all, but trust me seal line is much better...
I have a large and a medium. Be sure to look closely at the dimensions, as the large is really really big. I use the medium more for anything. Unless you are moving over a large area the medium will work fine. As for your question, I've rotated between a few different methods. First I just put my map case in between my body and my chest rack, but learned quickly this is an easy way to lose them unless you tie them down...no bueno.... Then I switched to attaching a piece of 550 from my belt loop to the map case and just storing the map case in my side pocket (this requires folding the map) **I like this method the best As far as rolling it up, my guess is that rubber bands might do the trick. Roll up the map case then put a rubber band around it. Then you could secure it to your rack or vest with another rubber band... |
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mytopo.com makes nice ones with mgrs or utm. Really nice ones. You can also get a little nerdy with Google earth and use utm/mgrs overlay plugins to print to scale. Quoted:
Quoted:
Where are you getting maps with the MGRS? I've looked for them and the best I've been able to do for my area is USGS 7.5min quad maps. mytopo.com makes nice ones with mgrs or utm. Really nice ones. You can also get a little nerdy with Google earth and use utm/mgrs overlay plugins to print to scale. We use hawg view for all our imagery for training CONOPS and GRGs It prints off perfectly to scale as a 1:50. Some A-10 pilot made the website for CAS scenarios and updates it, so it's very accurate. Can't also beat free. http://www.hawg-view.com/ Back on topic- What I just figured out is if you tie bungee loops, or girth hitch rubber bands on the D rings of the SealLine, when you roll up the SealLine, you'll now have fixed elastic loops to hold it in place rolled up. Combine this with the 550/beaner trick that was mentioned, and I think it's a pretty workable system. |
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Roll up into empty pop flare tubes. Waterproof. Just mark them with spray paint or duct tape around outside if you're carrying actual flares.
I also liked the spec ops brand map pouch and aloksaks, tho the aloksaks don't last too long. Another alternative to laminating is using clear packing tape on the map, but I always favored laminating. |
| A few of the scouts I went through PLDC with back in 2003 had some really slick map bags. They were clear plastic, with waterproof zipper enclosures that were encased in ballistic nylon. In PLDC they just rolled them up, since everyone was working individually. But they said in their unit everyone strapped the map to the right rear of their ruck. And the man behind you could just grab the flap and lift it up to see the map. |
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I got 1 of these recently at STP. It is well made, but is heavier than I would like.
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/haglofs-map-case~p~6837h/?filterString=s~map%2F&colorFamily=01 |
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