As an abstractor in Virginia, I work in a jurisdiction that has plats that have deteriorated to the point where opening them causes them the shatter. The clerk recently found a way to provide one of these old plats to people as a digital file that is huge - 73.1 MB as a pdf. I downloaded it to my desktop and printed a copy of it to send to my clients when I do a search in that subdivision. The copy that I can send is a very poor one as it is a big subdivision and the entire thing is very difficult to read. As of today, the plat is not  available through the online system. A deputy clerk emailed me a copy of the file when it became available because we have a good working relationship. I think the only way to get a copy is to call the courthouse and be lucky enough to reach a deputy who knows about the file and would be able to send you a copy. At some courthouses, copy accounts do not exist and/or no grace is given if your account is zero. Few people carry cash or checkbooks and some courthouses don't take credit cards. This could be why the examiner was only able to provide a screen shot of the plat. The, there is a lack of technological acumen possessed by many older examiners to consider. If an abstractor tells a client that they are sending the best copy available, that is probably what they are doing within their personal parameters on the day they had to acquire the copy.  

Note: Though I am aware that it isn't the case in every state, for the purpose of this email an examiner is the same thing as an abstractor.