Butler Motorcycle Maps Master Collection Set
Price as tested $185.00

ButlerMaps.com

Ever since I was a little kid I've had a fascination for maps. Being able to fold one back up was a required duty traveling with my dad. My pop was always on the road so he always had really good maps to use. From an early age using and understanding these maps was a skill I grew to posses.

Over the years I've had to read many different maps. Some were good and easy to read, some low quality and hard to read. It seems that most maps these days lack the quality of the ones I used as a kid.

Along comes the smart phone, GPS & mobile internet access, the paper map gets pushed aside as yesterdays bygone technology. And why not? The tech is easier to use. Two points - a start and a destination - one button and shazam - your route is mapped. I like it!! Saves time, both planning and on the road. A great tool!! So the paper map has seen its last day... or has it?

I was lucky enough to get a brand new map set from Butler Maps. This is not my fathers map set. The Butler folding paper map has made a new millennium come back. Everything about it - is high tech - the paper isn't paper, it's a permanent vinyl/plastic - waterproof - magical paper. It won't tear - I tried, also it almost folds itself back up. The printing is more like a beautiful photo - break out the magnifying glass the detail is astounding. If it gets a drip of ketchup on it... just wipes it off - yes, I also tried that - by accident.

The best part of my new Butler Map Set, are you ready for this? The set is made for motorcycling. The company that created these maps is run by a group of motorcycle enthusiasts. They actually went out and rode on each road and then rated them based on various factors that appeal to a motorcyclist. The more dramatic and technical rides have been rated higher based on complexity, scenic and altitude changes. Using this standardized rating system is the basis of the map set. I have the current Master Set of 13 maps, covering in detail: Alaska, Arizona, Southern Appalachia: includes (AL, GA, TN, SC, NC ), Southern California, Northern California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Ozarks, Rocky Mountains, Texas Hill Country, Utah & Wyoming.

As a matter of fact some parts of my Sunday ride are highlighted on the map of Southern California with some segments receiving the highest ratings. I have to agree, that's why it never gets old and it also lets me understand how the roads were rated.

Over the years I've had the opportunity to travel most of the roads and trips a lucky motorcyclist can do. I used maps and atlases to plan, travel and stay on course. With this set of maps a lot of the guess work has been done for me. Traveling to or though a region using these maps the best motorcycling roads and routes are highlighted based on the standardized rating scale. Another feature, the maps are made to work with a gps. Top rated rides have listing coordinates for the roads. There is also a smart phone app for real time searches for food, fuel & accommodations. The Butler Map people created these maps to connect to any available tech. The maps have scan bars and other useful info that can be entered into a phone or tablet.

The set comes in a handy water resistant fabric case with Velcro closure. Each map easily fits in and since the maps are water proof, the case, more than serves its purpose.

I'm impressed with this product, it is something that will last a lifetime if cared for. The roads will change before these maps wear out. I was fortunate enough to meet the actual members of the staff that rode and rated the local rides. These folks were great. I got a chance to talk with them and understand what they set out to do with this product. I think they hit a home run. The quality is very high in both the product materials and also the information they contain.

I'd like to thank Butler Maps for a great product.