VIP Laminated Charts

[I_Drive_Planes]

Has anyone tried the laminated charts from VIP? How do they compare to good ol' mac tack? The extra $13 seems like a pretty hefty price for a bit of plastic on a chart!

[B and B]

Not worth it - the laminated ones are tough to fold and are inconvenient in flight.

[I_Drive_Planes]

Thanks, you just saved me some cash!

[pilotincommand]

Not worth it. pain in the a$$ to fold up and the ink from your pen or marker gets all over your hands.

PIC

[D5GRVTY]

I don't remember how much I paid, but I had my maps laminated myself when I got them. I thought it was worth it to ensure that they would last until the next revision.

As for the ink, use a permanent marker. No ink on your hands and it will erase quite easily with any white eraser.

That's what I used to do, your mileage may vary

Cheers

D5

[KK7]

They may have changed the type of plastic they use over the years, but some years ago it was very thick glossy plastic that they used to laminate the charts. The glossiness caused ink to run easily, and the thick plastic made the chart more like an accordion that would never close completely. I never did it, but I had some students source local office supply shops like Staples to laminate their charts for cheaper, using a thinner plastic with more of a matte finish, making the chart easier to read, easier to fold, and the marker tends to stick to the plastic much better, but still washes off. The plastic wore out quicker, but lasted long enough until the next map revision.

[Louis]

For permanent markers: my first choice are the black Staedtler fine point ones you can usually get at any office supply place. (The grey ones are non-permanent and will smear easily) I've used the Sharpie brand as well and recall they worked fine.