I use maps in much the same way, particularly when doing archaeology. In that situation, I am often taking copious field notes (although rarely too copious!) and I usually copy the map to add to the notes and photographs I take. Most of my techniques were developed before field computers, GPS, and digital photography, so i would do things a little differently now. I still often made notes, pinpricks, and the like on the maps, very often using aerial photographs as well.

Nothing is as fundamental and useful as a good map.