diff --git a/airshower_beacon_simulation/dc_grid_power_time_fixes.py b/airshower_beacon_simulation/dc_grid_power_time_fixes.py
index 2aef557..62aa99a 100755
--- a/airshower_beacon_simulation/dc_grid_power_time_fixes.py
+++ b/airshower_beacon_simulation/dc_grid_power_time_fixes.py
@@ -254,8 +254,10 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
     fig = save_overlapping_traces_figure([0,0,0], ev, N_plot=1, wx=trace_zoom_wx, title_extra = plot_titling[case], fname_distinguish=f'single', fig_dir=fig_dir, figsize=figsize)
     plt.close(fig)
 
+    no_offset_maximum_power = None # set in below loop
     with joblib.parallel_backend("loky"):
-        for case in wanted_cases:
+        # always force no_offset first to determine the reference vmax in the colorbar
+        for case in ['no_offset'] + [c for c in wanted_cases if c != 'no_offset']:
             print(f"Starting {case} figure")
             # Repair clock offsets with the measured offsets
             transl_modes = {'no_offset':'orig', 'repair_phases':'phases', 'repair_full':'full'}
@@ -278,6 +280,19 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
                     print("backup time, time with measured_offset, true clock offset, measured clock offset")
                     print(bak_ants[i].t[0], ev.antennas[i].t[0], ev.antennas[i].attrs['clock_offset'], measured_offsets[i])
 
+            #
+            # determine the maximum power for the true timing
+            #
+            if case == 'no_offset':
+                xx, yy, p, maxp_loc = rit.shower_plane_slice(ev, X=X, Nx=1, Ny=1, wx=0, wy=0, zgr=zgr)
+
+                no_offset_maximum_power = p
+
+            # we forced no_offset for determing the reference vmax
+            # simply continue with the rest
+            if case not in wanted_cases:
+                continue
+
             #
             # Plot overlapping traces at 0,0,0
             #
@@ -295,15 +310,18 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
             fig = save_overlapping_traces_figure(loc, ev, N_plot=N_plot, wx=trace_zoom_wx, title_extra = plot_titling[case], fname_distinguish=f'{case}.axis', location_text=f"on simulation axis, $X={X}$", fig_dir=fig_dir, figsize=figsize)
             plt.close(fig)
 
+
+            #
             # Measure power on grid
             # and plot overlapping traces at position with highest power
+            #
             for scalename, scale in scales.items():
                 wx, wy = scale, scale
                 print(f"Starting grid measurement for figure {case} with {scalename}")
                 xx, yy, p, maxp_loc = rit.shower_plane_slice(ev, X=X, Nx=Nx, Ny=Nx, wx=wx, wy=wy, zgr=zgr)
 
                 fig, axs = rit.slice_figure(ev, X, xx, yy, p, mode='sp', scatter_kwargs=dict(
-                    vmax=1e5,
+                    vmax=no_offset_maximum_power,
                     vmin=0,
                     s=250,
                     cmap='inferno',