Mats, and erasing

[Aus_Snow]

I would like to get a mat or two (after using whiteboard and other stuff for ages) but I don't know much about them. In particular, which brands, or specific products perhaps, are the easiest to completely erase marks off, over months/years/whatever?

A 1" square grid would be best, but I'm open to alternatives, should any be easily adaptable to d20 gaming.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Glyfair]

I would like to get a mat or two (after using whiteboard and other stuff for ages) but I don't know much about them. In particular, which brands, or specific products perhaps, are the easiest to completely erase marks off, over months/years/whatever?

I've just started using the flip-mats and have been satisfied with them. Their biggest weakness is erasing is the folds (which seem to accumulate ink). They have two big advantages. First, they are very cheap (about $13). Second, you can write on them in wet erase, dry erase and permanent marker and still remove the ink.

Also, they have variations on standard maps. Very nice when you have a quick city encounter, woods encounter, etc.

Right now I have 3 of them. I've been preparing the first 3 likely encounter areas on them in advance. All this for about the cost of the other variations.

 

[Aus_Snow]

I've just started using the flip-mats and have been satisfied with them.

This is the first one on my list. Actually, it's the only one so far.

Good to hear some more (mostly) positive experiences with them. Very encouraging.

 

[maddman75]

Maddman's cheap & easy battle mat.

Buy a poster frame at Wal-Mart, one of the big ones, like 24" x 36". Take out the paper insert and turn it over. Draw 1" squares on it. Put the insert back in, square side up. Draw with dry erase markers for dungeon goodness.

THe markers erase wonderfully from them, they're sturdy as well. If they do get damaged, you can replace them for about $10. If you want to get fancy you could put DDM or other maps inside it as well. I've used this style mat for ages.

 

[FATDRAGONGAMES]

Maddman's cheap & easy battle mat.

Buy a poster frame at Wal-Mart, one of the big ones, like 24" x 36". Take out the paper insert and turn it over. Draw 1" squares on it. Put the insert back in, square side up. Draw with dry erase markers for dungeon goodness.

THe markers erase wonderfully from them, they're sturdy as well. If they do get damaged, you can replace them for about $10. If you want to get fancy you could put DDM or other maps inside it as well. I've used this style mat for ages.

We do this for our Heroclix maps and it works very well. If you go this route and you have a HOBBYLOBBY near you , watch their web site for their bi-monthly 40% off coupon and you can pick one up for $6.00

I've had a Chessex battlemat for years and am very happy with it. They sell 'factory seconds' at cons and from their site at a greatly reduced price, and usually you can't even tell what is wrong with it (mine had a scuff on the BACK of the mat, nothing that inhibited use). We still use it from time to time when I have to travel and don't pack up the dungeon pieces to go along.