American Map Road Atlas: Large Scale - Large Type. Easy on the Eyes
Written: May 16 '05 (Updated Dec 01 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Easy to read with many special features.
Cons: It's very large and cumbersome if not on a flat surface.
The Bottom Line: I like this map for planning trips. It's easy to read and gives excellent information in reference to driving distances, terrain, and special drives.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: American Map Road Atlas: Large Scale - Large Type ... |
I do a lot of traveling through the business I am in. Though most is on the east coast I do need maps for all the US continental states. Over the years I have also traveled cross country a few times and I have visited many of our National Parks, Historic Sites, and Monuments. The American Map 2005 Road Atlas does the job for me for ease of use in finding places, checking out driving distances, and having the use of inset maps for more detailed views close at hand.
Some 2005 Map Facts
One of the things that makes this map unique is its size. It is 11"x15". The makes for a map that is 30% larger than standard road maps. That in turn makes reading the map easier on the eyes. I happen to need reading glasses only when light is dim or for very small print. With this map I can see the road network easily and I can also read the names of all the larger cities and towns. I do need help with the smaller towns but I like that I can see my way with a quick glance when making my way from point "A" to point "B". while driving. This makes my wife furious and I can't say I condone map reading while driving but at times it's done and this map makes it easier although the size of it makes it clumsier to pick up.
More Features
Rather than have a state squeeze onto one or two opposite facing pages this map divides states up so you can get more detail per page. A state like Oregon is divided into two sets of double pages facing each other. Oregon (East is on two pages and Oregon (West) is on two pages. Other states that may even be a bit smaller may call for more pages. A state like Pennsylvania that has a number of very large cities and places to travel is broken up into ten pages that are quick and easy to index. It has four double facing pages that are broken up into Pennsylvania (Northwest) (Northeast) (Southwest) and (Southeast). Besides inset maps for some cities on these pages two other pages are dedicated for larger cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. This makes for much easier map reading of these larger cities. Each of those pages also have inset maps. Philly has the downtown area where most of the historic sites are and Pittsburgh notes the Downtown area known as the Three River area. Some of these pages even have a place where you can write notes.`
Help and Guides
The book opens with the inside cover that helps explain what the features of the book are. It discusses Index referencing, Driving instances, Longitude and Latitude, Crossing State Boarders, Mileage charts, Scenic Routes, Relief Shading, Inset maps and the Quick Reference Index. These are all tools that make map reading easier.
To give a couple of examples the first one I mentioned was Index Referencing. On the top of each map page are the page numbers of the index for that map so if you have a particular state or city and need some detailed information in it, just go to that page and many listings like counties, cities and towns can be found. In the index area each state has a small area noting the page numbers of the maps, the state capital, the states nickname, the latest population information, the area the state takes up in square miles and its rank among other states, and when it became a state and also that rank among other states. This information is repeated on the state map pages too.
The next feature I mentioned was driving distances. This has red mileage numbers listed between cities and town on the map itself giving accurate distances. I like that.
There are also Mileage charts on the state pages indicating mileage between major points on the map. Another major mileage chart is in the back of the book. Most maps have this kind of chart.
Another feature I happen to like is a sort of drawing of the state map you are looking at but it also shows the surrounding states and indicates the pages you will find those state maps. This makes it easy to find without having to go to the index or alphabetical order. It shows exactly the page for that part of the state.
Fabulous Drives and Adventures.
In the first pages will be an index of the states, major cities, and National Parks and Recreation areas. This is followed by the Fabulous Drives and Adventures section. it's here that you will find pictures of major destinations that are worth a trip on the road. This is divided into geographic areas. starting with the northwest that has the Lewis and Clark trail among others. Many National Parks are within these drives and the descriptions en...one to take to the road. Next to the text is information as to what pages will have the maps, and phone numbers, addresses and web addresses to the sites or Chamber of Commerce of the area. This makes for interesting reading and a better understanding of what the US offers on and off its roads.
The pages following this area give information about tourism and border crossing. I happen to like the two page map of the US that highlights the National park System. This is excellent for mapping a road trip to them many destinations within this grand system. It also includes National Historic sites and Monuments in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.
Following that double page map that is also topographical is the interstate road map of the US. These are clear and easy to see. They do not however have all the interstate that circle their way around many of the larger cities of the US. These will be found on the much more detailed maps of the individual states.
In the back of the book just before the mileage chart I talked about earlier is a double page of a Mileage and Driving time map. This is also an easy to use tool and with the large print easier to see and read than most maps.
MapQuest
I'm not sure how they are connected but throughout the book is the Mapquest.com address. This "American Map" is part of the Langenscheidt Publishing Group and is listed as the American Map Corporation, Maspeth Queens NY, 11378. Their web address is www.americanmap.com
This last weekend I had to go to Reading Pennsylvania from NYC. I had Mapquest directions and I also had this map. Beside having the Mapquest information in hand, I liked being able to trace the route on the large map. Sometimes it's easier to see larger and comparatively smaller distances this way.
Last Thoughts
I've mentioned throughout this review some of the features I like and why but I do want to say it is the large print that makes this a good tool. I also happen to like the features of driving time and mileage that is also easy to read. This book has large page numbers on the top of every page and that makes seeking pages easy to do. I did not look for or find out if this map is made with laminated pages. I do have some Hagstrom Maps that have that and I like that for overall endurance, but all the same this map seems pretty rugged and I like the large spiral so the pages turn easier.
I am the kind of person who can open a map and study it for hours. This map makes it easier and I won't always have to seek my reading glasses first.
Author's Note. This is the updated map of 2005.
Hagstrom's Map of Nassau County, Long Island
Suffolk County Atlas: Large Scale Edition
Recommended:
Yes
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