Customer Reviews

Michelin North America Road Atlas 2010 (Atlas (Michelin))

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I ordered the Rand McNally 2010 Road Atlas Large Scale but amazon couldn't ship for 1-3 weeks so I went to a book store and looked at about 10 different road atlases, this Michelin one was the best I found. As the other reviewer said the inside front cover has a map with numbers in the various areas which refers to the page number, then on some pages there is a similar number for a blow up of a particular area. Also the size is more convenient than the large size. To check detail we always look for the tiny town my wife grew up in, this one and the previously mentioned Rand McNally had it but most did not. This one has Canada and Mexico, the one I ordered does not, which could be critical for some users. It also has coordinates for use with a GPS. Anyway I bought this one at the store and we will then have 2 when the amazon order arrives. We have a Garmin too so we shouldn't get lost anymore ( or probably any less either ! ).

I was hesitant about the layout of this atlas since it is not organized in states, but in areas. BUT I love it after it's first trip with us. The inside front cover gives a starting place and then each map directs you to the page you need next. The flap of the front cover is the BEST for having the map legend handy at all times! It also is perfect for keeping a marker for the page you are currently using. It is great to have this size since it fits in car pockets better than the larger versions and the spiral binding is perfect for laying flat!

Great detail and easy enough to use once you go through it a time or two. Note that it is organized by regions, not necessarily by state, so you may need to do some page turning. Also, it is smaller than the typical road atlas--may not be a problem for most but has led to disagreements about where it should be kept in our car.

This was the sorriest excuse for a road atlas I have ever seen. In order to actually map my vacation route I had to re-order a Rand-McNally. If it isn't possible to get one state on a single double spread, could you have at least alphabetized them? As it is, the information is virtually inaccessible on the fly and impossible to use in a moving vehicle.

I love this atlas. I used it on my road trips across the USA from Key Largo to Washington state. It is set up for driving E to W or reverse. I like the idea that the next page is where you are going, instead of having the states set up alphabetically. If you are driving N to S or reverse, it is still easy to use. Much better than atlases that are set up alphabetically by state. The city maps are easy to find, too, as they are set up at the back of the book in alphabetic order. A handy guide, especially when driving by yourself, with no "navigator" person. I am now ordering a replacement as mine is now several years old.

To be sure the print quality is very good. The problem for most is the useless tiled format. For example the state of California is on pg. 28-29, then again on pg. 36-37, then again on pg. 44-45, then again on pg. 52-53. City map of Los angeles on pg. 228, Santa Barbara on pg. 260 and so on. There is no order what so ever to this atlas. The first U.S. map starts with Washington. The last is Alaska??? Trying to find anything fast is futile. There are much better choices.

The Michelin atlas is a completely different format than most people are used to. It is absolutely the most practical and user friendly type atlas once you master it. I have been a user of these road atlases for many years and at first was a bit put off by it as some of the other reviewers were. You have to learn how to use it to understand it. It is organized in a totally unique way and is extremely detailed.

I really like this Atlas. I won't mention the brand of my prior Atlas, but I will mention that I like this Atlas much better. I like the size and the map detail better. I would recommend the Atlas to anybody looking for a high quality Atlas.