Empty Green Hex Map with Overlays

[mmaestro]

So having just received the Boardgamegeek overlays a few days ago, it occurs to me that we probably have enough board overlays to create an interesting play area with just those overlays on an empty map. Has anyone tried this yet, and does anyone have any suggestions for where to purchase a good quality map that works to the DE scale?

[Buzzardo]

A Hotz Mat with 1.5-inch hexes would do the trick.

[wolf90]

Originally Posted by KevinR

I think that Chessex has large vinyl(?) mats with 1.5" hexes. If memory serves they were available in beige, black, and green some years ago. Can't say whether those are still available or if anyone else might be in that market now.

Indeed they do...

http://www.chessex.com/mats/Battlemats_&_Megamats.htm

D.

[mmaestro]

Those look great. My gut feeling is the felt will keep the overlays more secure and less likely to move during play than vinyl. Anyone with experience of these maps have an opinion on that? Thanks.

[Suboptimal00]

Originally Posted by mmaestro

Those look great. My gut feeling is the felt will keep the overlays more secure and less likely to move during play than vinyl. Anyone with experience of these maps have an opinion on that? Thanks.

I have used someone else's vinyl mat before. Its chief positive differences are being safe for erasable usage of some markers, hard to stain accidentally, and very easy to clean. I haven't used a felt gaming mat before, but I do know the material is less resistant to contamination and harder to clean unless something has been done to protect it. Assuming the manufacturer didn't already, treating it with a water repellent would go a long way. The vinyl mat wasn't slippery, but it certainly had lower friction than any felt I've encountered.

[Buzzardo]

The Hotz Mats are treated with a penetrating sealer. They're pretty resistant to spills, though less so than vinyl, of course.

[Ashley]

The trouble with Hotz is the long delivery times that can affect orders.

I'm all for Vinyl maps. Personally I'd like ones with two or three inch hexes as I like to use the miniatures and having larger hexes looks nicer.

[Buzzardo]

Honestly, I'd go vinyl, too. I just thought I'd present the option.

[atomic]

I have created a couple of blank 24" x 36" blank hex map templates and uploaded them to drop box. The hexes are 1.5" flat to flat. I printed out a letter size copy and tested the ODE overlays, and they fit perfectly. There is a plain white one and a green one (very close to the green of the actual maps.) I will eventually upload 36 x 24 versions. Here is the link:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/47ktbc7oon5jhi5/Gn1_j9ksPO

Let me know what you think.

The wide (36x24) versions are now posted.

[Leila Ross]

Gripmats link isn't going to happen) would likely be good. Kickstarting now already funded, and they do hex grids in a variety of sizes and backgrounds designs.