Best battlemats?

[buzz]

Right now I use a 1" gridded flip chart as a battlemat. Draw up a map, use it, flip the page. The two D&D groups I play in both have DMs who use Chessex battlemats (one uses MageKnight-sized squares, the other 1").

I was thinking about getting a 1" gridded dry-erase whiteboard (yes, they do make them), but I recetnly joined a HERO/Champions group, and HERO uses hexes. Since no one is making hex whiteboards yet, I figured it might be worthwhile to invest in either a single-sided hex mat, or a double-sided grid/hex mat from Crystal Caste.

What are people here using? Is there a preference for Chessex or Crystal Caste? I seem to remember hearing some bad things about the latter's mats (the wet-erase didn't always).

Thanks.

 

[haiiro]

I used a Chessex battlemap with 1" squares for a long time. I found the wet-erase aspect to be frustrating sometimes (and messy), primarily because certain colors didn't erase well -- particularly red and orange. After leaving a map on there for a few days/couple of weeks, everything came off pretty well except for those colors, which never came off completely.

This may be true of all battlemats, or of all wet-erase products, I don't know for sure. I can only vouch for my experience with that particular product.

 

[boxstop7]

Our previous DM uses the Cheseex double-sider you're talking about. I will purchase the same, as I'll be taking over the game. And we've found that baby wipes, of all things, work wonderfully for the 'wet-erase' aspect of the mats.

~Box

 

[Bagpuss]

I bought the Great Salt Lakes floorplans from Steve Jackson Games.

http://www.warehouse23.com/item.cgi?SJG7302

Its six sheets all about A2 in size (IE: four sheets A4 paper in size) and had one sheet laminated. That way I have both 1" squares and hexs. I'll probably get the other sheets laminated since this one has worked pretty well (it cost me about £7 to get a sheet laminated), that way I can have several locations ready for the players a night.

 

[VorpalBunny]

I swear by my Chessex mat - never had a problem erasing stuff on it (although as previously mentioned, red may require a little more elbow grease to remove - but it does come off).

 

[LostSoul]

I use a tablecloth with 1" squares. It's cheap.

 

[Azure Trance]

I used a Chessex battlemap with 1" squares for a long time. I found the wet-erase aspect to be frustrating sometimes (and messy), primarily because certain colors didn't erase well -- particularly red and orange. After leaving a map on there for a few days/couple of weeks, everything came off pretty well except for those colors, which never came off completely.

This may be true of all battlemats, or of all wet-erase products, I don't know for sure. I can only vouch for my experience with that particular product.

Hmmm ... I just ordered a double sided hex/square map. Will try to avoid red/orange, even though I also ordered the 'official chessex marker set' as well.

 

[haiiro]

Hmmm ... I just ordered a double sided hex/square map. Will try to avoid red/orange, even though I also ordered the 'official chessex marker set' as well.

I don't think I had the official markers, just your basic dry-erase markers.

I think you'll enjoy the map overall.

 

[Glyfair]

IMO, the Chessex mats are much better than the Crystal Caste mats. I still have my mat from the early 80's and it's going strong. There have been a few issues with staining from using improper markers or leaving them on too long. However, they do eventually fade.

The Crystal Caste mats don't seem to hold the overhead projector marker inks as well. They tend to bead more and are generally messier. Of course, this could mean they have less tendancy to stain.

Of course, if you want a double-sided mat, Crystal Caste is the way to go.

Glyfair of Glamis

 

[thalmin]

IMO, the Chessex mats are much better than the Crystal Caste mats. I still have my mat from the early 80's and it's going strong. There have been a few issues with staining from using improper markers or leaving them on too long. However, they do eventually fade.

The Crystal Caste mats don't seem to hold the overhead projector marker inks as well. They tend to bead more and are generally messier. Of course, this could mean they have less tendancy to stain.

Of course, if you want a double-sided mat, Crystal Caste is the way to go.

Glyfair of Glamis

Chessex now has double-sided maps as well.

I don't think I had the official markers, just your basic dry-erase markers.

DON'T use dry-erase markers, only wet-erase. For some reason, the dry-erase is permanent on these mats. The wet-erase are also known as "overhead projection markers" and can be found at most office supply sources.