JackM wrote:
Mine is older and I like it. If I wanted to get extra copies of the pre-new-design versions, what year should I stop looking? In other words, when did the new design come into effect? There are probably earlier editions in pristine condition being discounted at Gabriels, or Ollies, used book outlets, etc. I'd like to try to snag at least one more to replace my current one.
Of course, mine still thinks Rte 220 North to 322 East is the best way to get to State College from Holidaysburg....
The Tenth Edition of the DeLorme Atlas is when they wrecked it (IMHO). I believe that edition came out in 2007.
The Ninth Edition or any earlier editions are fine.
If anybody familiar with the older editions gets into a Barnes and Noble or Borders or whatever bookstore, take a close look at the new edition. Go to an area you're familiar with and try to check out the streams and forest roads etc.
I think the new design has made the maps MUCH harder to read, particularly for the type of thing we do, checking out obscure streams in rural areas. But I'd be curious to know what others think.
As I mentioned earlier, I thought the new Sportsmans atlases also had serious design and/or printing problems, that made stream lines and forest roads very hard to decipher.
But I'd be very interested in what people think of those too. Again, the test is to really look closely at areas you are familiar with and see if you can make out the stream lines, the tributaries, the forest roads etc.
If there are any cartography wonks in the house, I'd be interested in what you think happened with the DeLorme Atlas. My theory is that before they were designing the map with a graphic design program such as Adobe Illustrator. Then with the Tenth Edition they changed over to designing the map with a GIS program, i.e. straight out of a database. Which is less labor intensive, but which resulted in a severe loss of quality.
Also, DeLorme mapping was originated by a guy who wanted better fishing maps for himself and his friends, so they were detailed in regards to streams and back roads, etc.
But maybe they realized that the majority of people using the atlases were just driving from one town to another, i.e. general drivers, not outdoorsmen, so they changed the design emphasis in that direction.
