MyTopo.com Maps
Hunting season is quickly approaching and part of my scouting and preparation included obtaining maps of my unit. After visiting a local map shop and leaving disappointed at the selection and quality of maps related to Arizona hunting units, I started a search for custom made maps I could generate to the specifications I wanted.
I had heard good things about MyTopo.com so I investigated their website more and liked what I saw. It was very easy to make custom maps for the exact areas I wanted. There are 5 easy steps that allowed these custom maps to be made.
I chose to have mine made with the USGS topo data. Other choices include topo map (what I chose), color aerial photo, hybrid photo/topo, or black and white aerial photo. It is also possible to add public land boundaries. I chose the 24"x36" size, but 18"x24" and 36"x48" size is also available. I chose to have my maps scaled to 1:30000. Normal USGS quads are scaled 1:24000 for reference. Other choices include 1:50, 35, 30, 24, 24, 15, and 10. You can also choose the map Datum/GPS Setting.
For the finish option, you can choose waterproof paper (folded or rolled), glossy 'poster' map (not waterproof), or a laminated map. You can personalize the map by adding a title, subtitle and the owner's name. You can choose to have either tic marks, full grid, or nothing for lat/lon and/or UTM. I chose UTM as it is easy to pull UTM coordinates off of a gps and figure out a location on the map, or determine the UTM coordinates off of a map and plug them into a gps. You can also choose between standard topo and shaded topo.
Overall I've been very pleased with my maps made by mytopo.com. I overlapped the maps pretty generously so that I had more than one map that shared a similar area. When I used 7.5 min USGS quads it never fails that the area I'm in is right between 2 maps.
I had heard good things about MyTopo.com so I investigated their website more and liked what I saw. It was very easy to make custom maps for the exact areas I wanted. There are 5 easy steps that allowed these custom maps to be made.
- Center your map (anywhere in the US and Canada)
- Choose finish options (waterproof paper, glossy poster, laminated)
- Personalize it (add titles, lat/lon, UTM, or MGRS grids)
- Preview the online map (view the entire map in detail before ordering)
- 24 hour shipping available (able to have your map next day if necessary)
I chose to have mine made with the USGS topo data. Other choices include topo map (what I chose), color aerial photo, hybrid photo/topo, or black and white aerial photo. It is also possible to add public land boundaries. I chose the 24"x36" size, but 18"x24" and 36"x48" size is also available. I chose to have my maps scaled to 1:30000. Normal USGS quads are scaled 1:24000 for reference. Other choices include 1:50, 35, 30, 24, 24, 15, and 10. You can also choose the map Datum/GPS Setting.
For the finish option, you can choose waterproof paper (folded or rolled), glossy 'poster' map (not waterproof), or a laminated map. You can personalize the map by adding a title, subtitle and the owner's name. You can choose to have either tic marks, full grid, or nothing for lat/lon and/or UTM. I chose UTM as it is easy to pull UTM coordinates off of a gps and figure out a location on the map, or determine the UTM coordinates off of a map and plug them into a gps. You can also choose between standard topo and shaded topo.
Overall I've been very pleased with my maps made by mytopo.com. I overlapped the maps pretty generously so that I had more than one map that shared a similar area. When I used 7.5 min USGS quads it never fails that the area I'm in is right between 2 maps.
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