Battle Mats

[Hellefire]

So, after a painful experience on eBay, I am still trying to find a battle mat. The ones in Poland are about twice as expensive as the ones in the U.S., maybe a bit more. Of course, then I have to deal with shipping. The eBay one I was going to buy, they quoted $12 for shipping to Poland. I found a relatively cheap one in an online store, but they only ship by global airmail which costs $30-$45 for a battle mat. Yikes.

I want to get a double-sided megamat (size about 33x48 I think), with 1" hexes on one side and squares on the other. Most places I have found list them for $28-35, and shipping varies widely. Of course, I want to spend as little as possible, but I would be willing to spend up to about $45 for the mat and shipping. Any thoughts?

Thanks!
Aaron

 

[Zander]

Have you considered ordering from the UK instead? The base cost will be higher but the shipping to Poland should be less. I believe that Leisure Games in London do the matts by mail/internet order. If they don't have what you want in stock, they can usually get it in.

BTW, the subject isn't OT If a friendly mod sees this, could he please move it over to the general forum?

 

[Hellefire]

from UK

Yeah, I looked into ones from UK. The prices I saw were pretty high - 20 pounds for the smaller ones (roughly $40, which go for $30 in the U.S.) and 30 pounds for the size I want (roughly $60, which go for $35 in the states). Also, shipping from U.K. is close to shipping from U.S. prices. I've ordered a couple books from the U.K. and the U.S. lately, and the same hardback that costs $10 shipment from the states costs 4-7 pounds ($8-14) shipping from the U.K., depending on which seller I ask.

I'll check out Leisure Games and see what I can find. Thanks!

Aaron

 

[Hellefire]

mat maker

I've always gone with Chessex mats, because I know they are hgih quality. I know there is another major mat maker (thought I can't think of their name off the top of my head), and I assume there are others. Does anybody have experience with brands besides Chessex? Anything comparable?

Thanks!
Aaron

 

[Umbran]

This question is gaming-specific, and has lots of potential value, so moving to General.

 

[frankthedm]

DO you have / can you get pegboard with holes 1 inch apart? DO you have / can you get a sheet of vinyl from a craft store?

Lay the pegboard across a sheet of vinyl. Dot the vinyl with a permanent marker through those holes. When gaming, mark on the mat with Children's Washable Markers.

 

[Ilium]

I've always gone with Chessex mats, because I know they are hgih quality. I know there is another major mat maker (thought I can't think of their name off the top of my head), and I assume there are others. Does anybody have experience with brands besides Chessex? Anything comparable?

Thanks!
Aaron

I use a Crystal Caste Combat Mat, which is exactly what you're looking for (hexes on one side, squares on the other). They're not cheap (their large one is $35.00 US on their web site). When I first got it I was really annoyed because my wet-erase markers wouldn't make a decent mark. The ink just beaded up. However, after a few uses it "broke in" and now I love it.

www.crystalcaste.com

 

[Scribble]

Don't know how much it might appeal to you, but:

My group and I got a large sheet of Plexiglass and placed it on top of a sheet of paper with the grid drawn on it.

Plexiglass is good for dry erase markers, and when I need to, I can slip a pre drawn map under it (like the ones from dungeon and the minis and such) and still write on it...

 

[Hellefire]

materials

Poland is an interesting place. Some of the things that I completely take for granted are completely different here. Like picking up plexiglass or poster board for example. Some things are basically the same, but others are so different it confounds me. Difference of culture basically. I'll check into what I can find for plexiglass, with or without a normal battle mat. I'll check for Crystal Caste mats as well..they seem to cost about the same, and you seem to be well satisfied with yours.

Thanks for the suggestions guys!
Aaron

 

[paulsometimes]

You may have to bite the bullet and just pay the insane shipping costs. On the bright side, it'll be cheaper to have it shipped now thajn this time next year, with the way S&H prices keep going up.
And now to be OT: Where in Alaska are you from? I grew up in Anchorage (and now live in the UK).