Map Books

Can't afford a satellite navigation system? Get a traditional road map instead! We try 12 atlases for size...

Auto Express Car Reviews

September 2005

Despite an endless stream of new sat-nav systems hitting the accessory shop shelves, there is still a huge market for the traditional atlas. It means no fiddling with buttons, batteries or brackets - just a book on your lap that will work anywhere.

And that explosion of sat-nav products has had a welcome spin-off, as many atlases now include points of interest (POIs), such as camp sites, retail chains, universities and even speed cameras. But which is the best for the technophobes and those who can't spare a few hundred pounds for sat-nav?

First, pick the size. A3 is easy to read, but hard to store, while A4 is convenient, but means more page turning. Scales are also important. Measured in miles per inch (mpi), get the one which suits your driving... but generally the more easily read detail, the better.

Verdict

The new-for-2006 Navigator remains the ultimate atlas for drivers, combining super detail with readability and a great price per page. The AA Atlas Britain takes second despite its price, with those camera trap locations a worthwhile addition. Third place was a close call between the A-Z and the Collins Superscale. Their plus and minus points just about evened out, but the former gets the verdict.