Anyone remember the Chessex Crystal Mat?

[Steel_Wind]

I'm looking for a product that I don't think is manufactured anymore.

I believe it was called a Crystal Mat and was manufactured by Chessex. I recall one of my friends buying one at the Chessex booth at Gencon 97.

I've looked online and hell if I can find one of these to buy anywhere. Which is a shame - as I really want to buy one for a Pirates/Wooden Ships and Iron Men variant I'm working on to run at Gencon.

Am I daft and misremembering the product name and who made it? Does anyone know of one of these things sitting in a dusty bin at some local FLGS, begging to be bought?

All replies welcome, even if I am remembering the product name right/wrong. Let me know please.

 

[jdrakeh]

Are you talking about the Chessex/Crystal Caste Battelemats? I know that seems like a silly question, as the things are a dime dozen, but I'm not certain that I've ever seen a "Crystal Mat" -- is the mat you allude to simply a vinyl mat with hexes/squares on it, or a transparent mat with the same squares/hexes emblazoned on it?

 

[Steel_Wind]

Are you talking about the Chessex/Crystal Caste Battelemats? I know that seems like a silly question, as the things are a dime dozen, but I'm not certain that I've ever seen a "Crystal Mat" -- is the mat you allude to simply a vinyl mat with hexes/squares on it, or a transparent mat with the same squares/hexes emblazoned on it?

No it's definitely not Crystal Caste.

It was a transparent vinyl mat - with hexes on it. It instantly transformed any map over which is was laid down on top of into a numbered hex map.

I'm pretty damn sure that Chessex made it.

Yup:

Chessex Manufacturing 96000 Crystal Battlemat™ (Clear Vinyl) Blank (23½" x 26")
Chessex Manufacturing 96000F Crystal Battlemat™ (Clear Vinyl) Blank (23½" x 26") Factory 2nd
Chessex Manufacturing 96047 Crystal Battlemat™ (Clear Vinyl) w/ 1" Squares (23½" x 26")
Chessex Manufacturing 96047F Crystal Battlemat™ (Clear Vinyl) w/ 1" Squares (23½" x 26") Factory 2nd
Chessex Manufacturing 96067 Crystal Battlemat™ (Clear Vinyl) w/ 1" Hexes (23½" x 26")
Chessex Manufacturing 96068 Crystal Battlemat™ (Clear Vinyl) w/ 1" Numbered Hexes w/ LOS Dots (23½" x 26")

 

[Glyfair]

It was a transparent vinyl mat - with hexes on it. It instantly transformed any map over which is was laid down on top of into a numbered hex map.

I had (and may still have) a transparent mat that worked like this, but it wasn't vinyl. It was like transparency material but about twice the thickness. It was about the size of a standard battlemat (not the mega or mondo mat).

I vaguely remember reference to the crystal mat, but never saw one (unless that's what I have).

 

[Mark CMG]

These are mentioned as having been at Gencon 2005/6(?) -

Chessex Manufacturing 97000 Crystal Megamat™ (Clear Vinyl) Blank (34½" x 48")

Chessex Manufacturing 97047 Crystal Megamat™ (Clear Vinyl) w/ 1" Squares (34½" x 48"

Chessex Manufacturing 97062 Crystal Megamat™ (Clear Vinyl) w/ 16mm Numbered Hexes w/ LOS Dots (34½" x 48")

Chessex Manufacturing 97067 Crystal Megamat™ (Clear Vinyl) w/ 1" Hexes (34½" x 48")

Chessex Manufacturing 97068 Crystal Megamat™ (Clear Vinyl) w/ 1" Numbered Hexes w/ LOS Dots (34½" x 48")


The numbers are different (newer?) than what you found elsewhere.


PDF page - HTML version


They are indeed quite useful for what you suggest. Your event sounds like it would be very interesting.

 

[Steel_Wind]

I'm creating an updated version of Wooden Ships and Iron Men, using new color tables and charts, and using a kick-ass large collection of ships miniatures I have amassed from Pirates of the Spanish Main and its expansions.

I have Gale Force Nine's Limited Edition Ocean Gaming Mat for Pirates of Spanish Main, which is a really nice ocean background:

The plan is to get ahold of a 1" hex transparency to drop over one (or two) of these ocean gaming mats, and the scenario will be loosely based on Pirates at World's End and fighting the forces of Davey Jones and the Flying Dutchman. I'm creating some new SSD's for the ships, it should be cool.

English, French, Spanish, American and Pirate Forces. To be clear, the only thing from the PotSM I'm using is the props. The rules are all Avalon Hill WSIM based. (PotSM is a little too simple for my tastes).

When the scenario is done, I'll post a time for it in the Gencon Event Section here on ENWorld. I know it's not an RPG - but that does not mean it's not cool

I'm planning a digital map projection moderated 3.5 session at Gencon too, but I need my portable suspension rig to arrive first to make sure it works.

 

[mr_outsidevoice]

Crystalmat by Chessex 1' hexes vinyl

I own one and have no need/use for it.
If you need it at GenCon, I can easily get it to you as I will be there.

If you need it before, PM me (lycusmike on Yahoo Messenger) or e-mail (lycusmike@yahoo.com) and we can work something out.

 

[Thunderfoot]

Crystalmat by Chessex 1' hexes vinyl

I own one and have no need/use for it.
If you need it at GenCon, I can easily get it to you as I will be there.

If you need it before, PM me (lycusmike on Yahoo Messenger) or e-mail (lycusmike@yahoo.com) and we can work something out.

AND THIS IS WHY I LOVE IT HERE!!!!

Brotherhood, sharing, love, its all good.

 

[Steel_Wind]

Indeed, it was a most generous offer and I have contacted Michael directly.

Looks like I'll be running this session at Gencon with all the bells and whistles "on."

"Beat to Quarters!"

 

[Mark CMG]

I know it's not an RPG - but that does not mean it's not cool

Sounds great!