DIY Map Case

Years ago I learned an old trick or tip if you will for a cheap DIY map case.  The Dollar Store Map Case. 

I was at a school doing a Land Navigation course and a Recon buddy in my group had this plastic case with paracord and tape everywhere that he pulled out of his shirt and put his map and protractor etc in.  He showed me that it was just a make shift map case that he learned from some older Recon Marines. 

So here you go with the shopping list: 

-3 to 4 feet of paracord/550 cord or whatever cord you want to use.  

-100 MPH, Duct, Gorilla tape, any kind of thick tape of that nature.

-1 clear pencil case from the dollar store.

THAT’S IT!!!!

Simply wrap the tape around the case, you can do it above the zipper or as you can see in the pictures I did what appears to be upside down.  I did this because I flip the case up when I need to get things in/out from it while around my neck.  The tape reinforces the holes for the neck lanyard and/or case if you choose to use it.  You can just use the cordage through the holes that are already in the pencil case. 

 

What I love about this DIY map case is that you can store your compass, pace beads, protractor, map pens/pencils or other navigation equipment when not in use or while you are on the go.  You can tuck the map in your shirt if not trying to be seen, wear it outside if you don’t care, be able to have quick reference to see your points, since it is plastic you can do your route planning on the outside of the case if you set your map in it to use as a route planner. 

The best thing is; build it to your comfort/standards. Hope this helps if you are in the market for something like this on the cheap.