Rating: 
Summary: Road condition accuracy is completely unacceptable
Review: As other reviewers have noted, some roads were poorly marked "other state route or major connector"; when we got to some of these roads they were dirt, and labelled "unmaintained" and "use at own risk". In addition, I am fairly sure that some of the roads marked on the maps do not exist. We looked for a couple of turnoffs off SR 160, twice going back and forth where they were supposed to be, without seeing them.This inadequate accuracy made the atlas worse than useless, since it cost money and time.
Rating: 
Summary: Beautiful looking, detailed map-book.
Review: DeLorme is the leader in large-scale map-books, but I was always slightly dissatisfied with their depiction of topography. With the Nevada Atlas, they have finally achieved a visual appeal to match the level of detail they have always provided. Traditional relief lines are enhanced by subtle, three-dimensional shading, so that one seems to be looking at an aerial view of the state. They have also refined rivers, lakes, roads, and other surface features to be more detailed and accurate. A welcome improvement!
Rating: 
Summary: Worst Delorme Atlas
Review: Delorme's Nevada Atlas and Gazeteer does not approach the quality of its other western states atlases. Users will be disappointed to discover that contour lines are rarely labelled. There is no distance scale, either on the pages or in the key - an oversight which would produce an automatic 'F' in introductory cartography. Furthermore, land ownership status is not indicated on the maps by color coding as with other atlases - instead there is only a single statewide page which is essentially useless. Finally, the maps on each page run to the edge with approximately a half-inch overlap between pages. Although convenient for inexperienced map users - it is a source of frustration for those with greater map experience. If you really need a Nevada atlas, then get this one. Otherwise, wait until Delorme reissues a new edition correcting its most serious flaws.
Rating:
Summary: Worst Delorme Atlas
Review: Delorme's Nevada Atlas and Gazeteer does not approach the quality of its other western states atlases. Users will be disappointed to discover that contour lines are rarely labelled. There is no distance scale, either on the pages or in the key - an oversight which would produce an automatic 'F' in introductory cartography. Furthermore, land ownership status is not indicated on the maps by color coding as with other atlases - instead there is only a single statewide page which is essentially useless. Finally, the maps on each page run to the edge with approximately a half-inch overlap between pages. Although convenient for inexperienced map users - it is a source of frustration for those with greater map experience. If you really need a Nevada atlas, then get this one. Otherwise, wait until Delorme reissues a new edition correcting its most serious flaws.
Rating: 
Summary: Outdoor resource guide for Nevada
Review: For the first time, a comprehensive Nevada map book designed for outdoor enthusiasts, with detailed, up-to-date maps and information on places to go and things to do, is now available from DeLorme, maker of the popular Atlas & Gazetteer Series. From the majestic Hoover Dam on the Colorado River to the Great Basin Desert, this 72-page atlas includes full-color, shaded relief topographic maps of the entire state, including a complete index of over 6,200 place names and map features. There is also a Gazetteer section with information on campgrounds, unique natural features, hiking trails and much more. There is extensive road coverage, including major highways and the smallest back country trails. Rivers, lakes and streams, complete with hot fishing spots indicated right on the maps, are also included. The Gazetteer section is an in-depth source of information about interesting places and things to do throughout the state, such as: historic sites, including ghost towns, trails and state monuments; museums, tours, cruises, amusement parks, casinos; public and private campgrounds, boat access areas and information centers; listings of 25 species of sport fish in rivers, lakes, and streams throughout the state; public golf courses; state parks and recreational areas; unique natural features; downhill and cross country skiing facilities; hiking and wildlife viewing areas. In addition, 85 percent of Nevada's total land base is owned by the federal government - the highest percentage of public land in the U.S. The Nevada Atlas & Gazetteer fully describes those national land areas, including their acreage, the agencies that administer them and the types of activities available at each. The Atlas incorporates a grid system along the margins of the maps indicating latitude and longitude measurements that enables people to use it with Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers.
Rating:
Summary: The 2004 edition STILL suffers inaccuracies
Review: I attended college in Nevada and volunteered for the BLM in Nevada. I have traveled extensively throughout the state's rural areas since the 1980's; and several times over.
Those of you who have seen previous editions will notice that the new edition no longer displays bold red lines for heavily traveled unpaved county roads! Why?? At least back then, most of the bolded red line routes were pretty accurate. But now, they have all been reduced to thin red lines - which may be DeLorme's way of trying to get itself off the hook regarding its inaccuracy issues.
Yes it's true DeLorme doesn't have its act together in terms of fully researching its data. And yes, I too have been misled into taking routes that appeared to exist but didn't exist in reality, or, if they did "exist" they were in such bad shape (washed out & rocky outcroppings, super-soft sand & silt) that they shouldn't have been on the map to begin with.
The rule-of-thumb when exploring rural Nevada is: if a "road" appears bad shortly after you begin going on it, turn around immediately. Even if you've already invested a few miles of time on it, turn around and save your vehicle (and yourself) the punishment. I guarantee it won't "get better" the further you go down it, so, resist the temptation altogether. If your inner voice is saying "this road is bad", it is and most likely will only get worse.
Unless you drive a Hummer, stay away from any remote Nevada backroads. The state's rural road maintenance budget has been in shambles for years and therefore these routes are no longer getting any attention or priority.
Regarding the places shown as "towns" - change is constant and not even the BLM can keep up, so, don't rely on any maps. Just keep the following in mind: Interstates 80 and 15 and 95/395 and 50 are always safe bets for services at least once an hour. State routes (paved) in all directions between Reno, Las Vegas, Winnemucca, Battle Mountain, Austin, Eureka, Ely, Baker, Caliente, Tonopah, Hawthorne, Pahrump, Fallon, Gabbs, Elko, Wells, Wendover, and Jackpot are also safe bets. Outside of that, ignore DeLorme.
Rating: 
Summary: Great trip planning tool
Review: I use the Delorme Gazetteers, including this one, for planning my fishing trips every year. They include comprehensive coverage of the state in question with sufficient detail to identify all the major topological features one will find, including streams and lakes. Also, they show all the roads. One criticism is that they don't contain road mileages between locations, unlike a highway atlas. But, a highway atlas will not show topographic coutour lines, or indicate locations where one may launch kayaks or rafts, or show locations reputed to have good fishing. I keep a Delorme Gazetteer for each state in which I expect to travel on any extended drive. They enable me to find campgrounds (in the indexes and shown on the maps), roads, topography, and all the essentials to plan a trip.
Rating:
Summary: Great trip planning tool
Review: I use the Delorme Gazetteers, including this one, for planning my fishing trips every year. They include comprehensive coverage of the state in question with sufficient detail to identify all the major topological features one will find, including streams and lakes. Also, they show all the roads. One criticism is that they don't contain road mileages between locations, unlike a highway atlas. But, a highway atlas will not show topographic coutour lines, or indicate locations where one may launch kayaks or rafts, or show locations reputed to have good fishing. I keep a Delorme Gazetteer for each state in which I expect to travel on any extended drive. They enable me to find campgrounds (in the indexes and shown on the maps), roads, topography, and all the essentials to plan a trip.
Rating: 
Summary: A nice book, but road accuracy questionable
Review: I used the Nevada Atlas & Gazetteer on a trip this summer, and mostly it was useful. However, we ran into a number of places where a road indicated as an "other state route or major connector" either required 4WD to pass, or was blocked by a locked gate. In my book, state routes and major connectors can be used by the general public, and probably in a passenger car - even in Nevada. However, the topographical representations are nice, and it was a good reference to have. I just quit trusting it after a day or so.
Rating:
Summary: Doesn't differentiate between paved and unpaved!
Review: I was disappointed with the Delorme Atlas. In trying to get from Las Vegas to Death Valley, I had to turn back twice when I encounted rough gravel roads. I finally gave up on Delorme and went back to my AAA map. I didn't want to take the unpaved roads because I was driving my mother's car, but even if I were driving a rented 4WD, I'd still want a map to show me if a road were paved or not.
|
