FAQs
Q: Do I have to set up a PayPal account?
Q: Why is 1:30,000 used as a scale on the EastWest Mapping Wicklow maps?
Q: How can I measure distance on a 1:30,000 scale map and where can I get a Romer?
Q: Why is there a large overlap between the sheets?
Q: Are EastWest Mapping maps waterproof?
Q: Why are Moanbane and Silsean 'incorrectly' named on the map?
Q: Why are there only 20 metre contours on some maps?
Q: Do I have to set up a PayPal account?
A: You do not need to set up a PayPal account. We process your payment via PayPal and whilst you will be invited to set up a PayPal account, you do not need to do this. You can pay by Visa or MasterCard etc. directly as with most online shopping sites. To do this, look for the section on the middle left side of screen that says 'Don't have a PayPal account. Use your credit card etc..' Click Continue and carry on as normal.
Q: Why is 1:30,000 used as a scale on the EastWest Mapping Wicklow maps?
A: We are using a B1 standard sized paper. We wish to fit the width of the Dublin & Wicklow Hills on one sheet for the convenience of users. The 1:30,000 scale is the largest scale that we can use that allows for this whilst minimising the number of sheets required. There would be an option of using 1:25,000 and printing both sides of the sheet but this would necessitate an overlap down the centre of the hills which would be highly undesirable from the practical point of view of a hillwalker.
Q: How can I measure distance on a 1:30,000 scale map and where can I get a Romer?
A: On our maps printed at 1:30,000 scale, 1 centimetre on the map = 300 metres on the ground, 1 millimetre on the map = 30 metres on the ground. You can use any standard compass with centimetre (& millimetre) graduations. 300 metres will take circa 5 minutes to walk or about 200 double paces. A quick way to estimate distance is to remember that each grid square measures 1 kilometre in height and width. That's about 15 minutes at typical hillwalking pace. If you wish to use a Romer to measure in metres directly at 1:30,000, these models come highly recommended by one of our customers - http://www.maptools.com/products/AdvCorners.html
Q: Why is there a large overlap between the sheets?
A: The overlap is designed for the convenience of users – to reduce the likelihood of having to carry more than one sheet when in a particular area.
Q: Are EastWest Mapping maps waterproof?
A: Our maps are printed on 120gsm Pretex paper, which is a resin impregnated paper, manufactured in Germany specifically for outdoor applications. It is best described as a water & tear resistant paper. It will soak up moisture but will not readily fall apart when wet like conventional maps. If it gets damp during use, on return open the map fully out and leave to dry in a well ventilated spot e.g. over back of a chair etc. It will dry, return to normal and can be refolded for use again. For use outdoors, we recommend treating like conventional paper i.e. fold the map carefully before going out to the area you'll be using, avoid stressing any folds and avoid using the same folding creases repeatedly. Insert into a conventional map case or two clear plastic freezer bags - into one bag, fold over open end and insert this end into second bag - your maps will last many years. If you wish to laminate, customers have reported to me that they've used BLUEPRINT Reprographics in Stillorgan successfully.
Q: Why are Moanbane and Silsean 'incorrectly' named on the map?
A: This is dealt with in some detail in our Placenames & Heritage section - scroll to the bottom of that page. Essentially though, the evidence points to the name Moanbane as applying to the hill as a whole whilst the name Silsean or Shileshawn applies to the north eastern end or side. We believe the names are incorrectly assigned on the OSI mapping.
Q: Why are there only 20 metre contours on some maps?
A: There are two principal ways of generating contour lines a) from photogrammetry - a process using overlapping aerial photographs to view a 3D model of the landscape which can be measured. This yields superior results but is capital expensive and time consuming and b) from digital terrain models - these typically are a grid of height points from which contours can be interpolated. The quality of the final contouring depends on the spacing of the grid points. We have used this latter method with DTM's from the NASA Shuttle Radar Topography Mission. The grid for Ireland is at 3" of arc - that is about every 55 metres on the ground. Obviously small features can be missed with this spacing and the vertical accuracy of the height readings can vary but in terms of general hillwalking on the relatively rounded hills of Dublin & Wicklow, the spacing suffices to define the land. We correct the contouring from observations on the hills to better portray the landscape. A 20 metre interval yields about as much detail as can usefully be derived from such a grid, we can easily generate 10 metre interval contours but they don't show extra detail. For the future, we are looking at ways of either implementing a photogrammetric solution and/or waiting for better quality DTM's which will become available in the next year or two.
