Above and Beyond report that sales of physical maps are still growing despite the rise of GPS Units

Sept. 23, 2011 - PRLog -- Outdoor gear and camping specialists, Above and Beyond, are reporting that sales of physical maps are still growing despite the rise of GPS devices. Even with GPS navigation devices decreasing in price, hikers, campers and walkers are still finding it hard to turn their backs on the physical map.

GPS devices are electrical, battery powered items and as such they not always the most reliable pieces of equipment and they do inevitably run out of battery. They can also crash, be dropped and damaged. Of course a physical map is not indestructible, but you can be a lot less careful when handling a physical map and it will never run out of battery power no matter how much it is used.

Ordnance Survey are the premier brand of maps on the market today. In the UK alone, one OS map is sold every 7 seconds. Their two most popular maps are the OS Explorer and OS Landranger ranges.

OS Explorer maps have become a staple piece of navigational equipment for individuals and organisations.  Due to their level of detail they are ideal for walkers, climbers, and off road cyclists. The OS Explorer features a 1:25,000 scale which shows fences, small boundaries and viewpoints.
The OS Landranger map is an all purpose map that is more suited for bikers and long distance hikers. The Landranger maps show a 40×40 km area at a scale of 1:50,000. The scale allows for a great overall perspective of an area that is ideal for planning routes.

Ordnance Survey maps are unprecedented in their level of detail and accuracy, though due to the differing map types and scales it is recommended you buy from an outdoor gear specialist. Check out the OS maps that Above and Beyond have to offer at http://www.aboveandbeyond.co.uk/productlist.aspx?f6=Ordna...

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Above & Beyond are the outdoors navigation experts. Not only are we official Ordnance Survey Mapping and Data Centre agents, Above & Beyond is one of the UK's largest specialists in GPS units for walkers, cyclists, geocaching and orienteering.