I run a D&D 3.5 game and appreciate the fact that I can use my permanent Sharpie markers on this mat unlike on my old vinyl mats. It folds neatly to just under the size of one of WotC's printed campaigns. The folds don't really present any problems in terms of usefulness and folding them backwards on themselves lets them lay flat quite nicely.

Initially, I was concerned that folding (rather than rolling) might cause my dungeon drawings to rub off. However, this has not happened even when they rub up against the surface of any of the glossy, leather or cloth-bound rulebooks in my duffel bag. I suppose I can thank my Sharpies for that.

At 22 x 28 squares, it's big enough for *most* encounters but truly large battles may be a bit problematic. I'm running the Red Hand of Doom right now and some of the battle maps end up cramped on space. For instance, Vraath Keep fits, I can just barely squeeze Skull Gorge Bridge on there (if I use the margins) but the Fane of Tiamat is actually 1 square wider than if I tiled two of these mats width-wise and resorted to using the 1-inch margins as extra squares.

The only improvements that I could suggest are as follows:

* Offer a version with the square grid on both sides. The versatility to use hex or square grids is nice, but most groups are either going to use one or the other, not both.

* Since the mats fan-fold along the long (28 square) axis, another 10 squares could be added without increasing the folded size of the mat. Unlike adding an extra fold/flap to the width (which would put too much strain on the laminate when folded) a 4th fold/flap on the length would still lay flat when folded and wouldn't buckle. Players could then simply tile mats together for huge dungeons. (Note, I wouldn't make the mat physically longer than 36" as that would be longer than most desks/dining room tables are wide and we don't want players bumping into a stiff mat that overhangs the table's edge and knocking miniatures over.)

People say this mat is too small, but I don't think so, so I must play RPGs on smaller maps than most. This mat looks pretty as its not just a plain, boring white or off-white grid, and the lamination makes it much more durable.

Steel Sqwire wasn't lying when they said you can use any sort of marker on this product. Right after opening it, I proceeded to mark it up with dry erase, wet erase and even permanent markers, and all wiped off with ease (even the wet erase came off easier than it does on most other surfaces).

My only complaint is that it has folds in it, since it folds to a nice piece of paper size. But, this makes it much less of a hassle than having to roll it, and more portable. That, and just bending each fold backwards fixes that problem.

One of the best products I've bought for my games.

The title says it all. This product is simply a must have, especially if you play d&d 3.5 whose combat system is really mini oriented.

Two suggestions though. It is a great product but it could be improved if

1) The hexagon side is replaced by a square grid so you could use both sides.

2) A 10ftx10ft grid is overlaid on the current 5ftx5t one. Make the 10ft lines just slightly thicker. 10ft is usually the scale used by most scenarios to draw plan.

I love the flip mat. I have ruined some many battlemats by grabbing the wrong marker. This thing works with everything I've tried. And Its awesome for running sessions at conventions because its ultra portible.

This mat is really good in that it uses whatever markers you've got handy and comes clean with just the wipe of a cloth. The only problem I have with it is that it is smaller than the normal battle mats that I and most other DM's that I've played with have. All-in-all, though, this is a really good product.