Space Gaming Mat

[Landlubber]

So on a tip from a guy at Gamer's Haven, I gave this little idea a try, and boy oh boy am I happy with the results!

I went to the Hubble Image Gallery (http://hubblesite.org/gallery/) and selected a picture of a nebula that I thought looked cool.  I then went to Banners On The Cheap (http://www.bannersonthecheap.com/), uploaded the image, cropped it, and selected the size I wanted (3'x3').  Waited about a week, and got this in the mail today:





Total cost with shipping was $32.  The banner itself was only $15, but I paid extra to get it here sooner.  I'm very pleased with the result!  The total playing are is actually 3'x3'; the white space around the edge is just a little extra.  It's printed on vinyl, so it should be fairly durable, although it smells a bit like an inflatable swimming pool if you get up very close to it.



A couple of issues, as you can see in the picture above:  it does reflect overhead light, although the light is somewhat diffused.  Also, up close, the image is a little grainy.  But for playing at arm's length on the tabletop, I really don't think these issues are going to matter all that much.





Also, the darker colors (blues and blacks) are actually a bit darker than what you see in these pictures; I guess the iPad camera can't capture all the awesome.



All in all, not a bad investment!  I think I'll troll the image gallery for a few other pics that might make a good space battlefield background.  Now that I have this one to use, I can probably have the others shipped by regular mail, which should drop the total cost to about $20.

I'll post some battle pics after I play next week.

[Stitch_Reloaded]

Great idea,

A lot of times we have to find items to meet our needs that may have never been intended for war-gaming and this is a perfect example of it.  Thanks for sharing Landlubber and passing on the link.

Something else that may peak your interest is this: http://www.joann.com/premium-quilt-fabric-stars-navy/xprd862614/  Its a little more flimsy than the vinyl you have there but can fold up nicely for storage and travel.  Also if you need more of a smooth surface, a vinyl layer and be purchased at the same site and sewn onto the fabric.  Only upside to this solution is that you can get yards at a time, Downside is sewing if you can't do it or the fact that its not a Hubble shot. 

Stitch 

[Landlubber]

Stitch,

Thank you for the kind words!  It isn't often that I have bright ideas that actually work out.

I have actually seen that fabric recommended before, but to be honest I haven't worked up the gumption to go into a store called 'Joanne'.  . But I may have a look at some point.  I think Walmart also has some sort of space-themed fabric as well.  I would like to get a couple more space-themed mats--either by getting more Hubble mats, or other means.  Variety is the spice of wargaming!

This weekend, however, I will be hunting for lava rocks, so I can try my hand at making asteroids.  Already looked at Walmart with no luck, so next up will be Home Depot.