Customer Reviews: Read 6 more reviews...
 Begging for Improvement December 11, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I've carried this around for Lord only knows how many years, even though I've depended mainly on portable navigation devices while traveling for the past 9.
It is still an acceptable product, but barely. It hasn't changed much in all the years I've had it. Some states have long been in desparate need of expansion to multiple pages as the road networks are just too cluttered using the smaller scale employed in this book. As a general guide it's usable, but not the only navigation tool you're likely to need. You'll find yourself still needing those larger scale fold-up maps (ick!) for many areas. Come on, Rand McNally, step it up a couple of notches.
 Cross country dreaming October 24, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
My 1st Rand McNalley Atlas is many years old, so I thought I deserved a new one. I love maps and used my 1st one many times. The 2009 Atlas is just what I wanted, is greatly expanded, and good for planning road trips in other states. In my head, I've taken different routes to familiar places and to ones I've never been. It's a good reference and I think it's great.
Always have a copy in our vehicles October 14, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
We have always kept a copy of the Rand McNally Road Atlas in our vehicles; we find them to be invaluable when traveling on the road for basic directional help but also for find alternate scenic routes, etc.
Prior to 2008, we did not purchase the vinyl covered edition and the atlas would get torn and pretty beat up as it partially sticks out of the pockets behind the front seats. When we came across this version, we decided to give it a try and see if it helped the situation. We have the 2008 and 2009 versions and both have held up very well and neither are torn, frayed, or otherwise messed up any longer by general use with one exception.
I did learn a little lesson about the stapled binding and the vinyl cover as noted by reviewers of the 2008 version. This is caused by the thin paper and stapled binding along with the cover being tucked into the vinyl pockets on both sides. The cover can be separated partially or completey due to this and one day, a haphazard toss of the atlas caused it become partially separated from the cover. However, I found that by placing a rubberband around the center of the binding holds it all together perfectly. When we purchased the latest edition (2009), we put a rubberband around it to help reinforce the stapled binding from the start.
One other note about the atlas, we really enjoy reading the general information about each state and the recommended tourist sites. This is a great stocking stuffer and valuable to have in your own vehicle, even if you travel infrequently.
Another year, another Rand McNally Road Atlas September 20, 2008
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
When I was a kid, I loved every time that my family bought a new Rand McNally Road Atlas. As soon as I could, I would sit down with the atlas and trace rides across country, from state to state. Or I would look for strangely named communities or. . . . I would spend an hour or so at a time just going through those glorious maps.
More recently, this is my annual Christmas gift to my son (wonder if love of atlases has a genetic basis?). But I still will grab his copy when he's not around and go through it, just as so long ago.
This Atlas has taken on a more contemporary flavor. Now, there is a web site that you can go to on road construction. Plus other web sites listed to provide the road warrior with more information.
It's fun to revisit my home territory via the Atlas. I was born in Kewanee, Illinois, so I can go to the Illinois map and trace (once more) how I would get to my mother's hometown (Bradford, IL), and the different routes I could take back and forth, including lesser used routes.
Or just open randomly to a map. I just did that and got Texas. Given the recent hurricane (Ike), it is illuminating to take a look at the Galveston-Houston area, as well as checking out the path that the hurricane took. An atlas gives you a grounded sense of the world around you.
So, anyhow, here's to the 2009 Atlas!
 Good Atlas for my purposes. September 16, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
This Atlas is fine for my purposes. I've used Rand McNally for a long time and this one didn't disappoint.
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