Re: [Paddlewise] Gauging Mileage on Maps

Every year I spend inordinate amounts of time estimating distances on maps
using dental floss, twist-its, wires, string, etc. Does anybody find "map
odometers" (rulers with wheels) to be accurate?  If so, any suggestions on
where to get them?


TFJ


------------------------------------------





    I certainly get a lot of mileage out of mine...  On most topo maps at
1:24000 I'm generally within 1/4 mile of the true distance...   Running the
river subsequently with a gps receiver bears that out...  It's the readability
of the scale that's the limiting factor.  Error would be greater on a 1:63000
map, for example.


    Still, good enough for most work.





    I've seen them available at outdoor stores such as EMS in the NJ/NY area,
and I think they're in the CampMor catalog.  They can also be found in stores
that specialize in art & architecture.  Here in NJ that's Triangle Inc.  or
Pearl (which I think may have a website). They usually run about $7-$10 but
there are some snazzy ones with built in calculators that will run you up to
$100.





    If they have the maps for your area, you may want to look at the TOPO!
series of interactive maps on CDROM.  One of its features is the ability to
trace a path within the map with your mouse (and across different quads
automatically...) and have it report distance, vertical profile, etc.    





Joe P.





PS --- Your word for today:  Opisometer.   That's the original name for those
"map odometers".











***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed
here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire
responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author.
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************