20 replies to this topic

[Robb OR]

Q. What has happened to the BEST printed on paper Atlas out there?
My older version has gotten a little ragged, so I've been shopping for a replacement copy.
CAN'T FIND A BRAND NEW ONE ANYWHERE!!!!
Finally had to settle for a "Like NEW" used copy.
Oh, it's in near perfect shape, but where are the NEW ONES????
Does anyone know?
Are they now "Extinct"? OUT OF PRINT? And thus gone forever?
That's really too bad. But, if that IS the case, I'm going to "Stock Pile" all the "Like New" or "Near New" copies I can find. Because PRICES never go down, they always go up!
I'd appreciate some insight/feed back/suggestions.
THANKS FOLKS!

[GrassLakeRon]

Here is amazon:  https://www.amazon.c...10502756&sr=8-1

[Steve Cox]

Looks like you can still get it at S&T store here - https://shopatsky.co...-desk-laminated

 

Still, the best is kind of relative.  It was IMO maybe the "best" when it was first published, but these days there are better alternatives.  I used mine through the late 80's and up until the mid 2000's when the Pocket Sky Atlas became available.  At that point I realized for paper I got along much better with the Pocket Sky Atlas and either Interstellarum or Uranometria, either of which are far better atlases.  And the final nail in the coffin for me wrt paper atlases at the scope was when I bought SkyTools around 2009.

[Tony Flanders]

It was IMO maybe the "best" when it was first published, but these days there are better alternatives.

I wouldn't necessarily say that Sky Atlas 2000.0 (SA2K) was the best atlas when it was published, nor would I necessarily agree that there are better alternatives today.

If you want an atlas that is compact and convenient, then the Pocket Sky Atlas does a far better job. In fact SA2K is one of the most inconvenient star atlases ever published, given its vast sheets and the fact that each page is printed on only one side. That was intentional; Wil Tirion wanted it to look luxurious -- which it is. Fantastically well thought out and well executed, especially the second edition.

The Pocket Sky Atlas is vastly more convenient, but at a cost. Each sheet shows less sky than I would like, and in less detail than I would like. Nothing else in print can quite match Sky Atlas 2000.0 if you want single sheets that can be matched easily to the naked-eye view, yet still show enough stars to locate challenging objects.

 

The Interstellarum Deep Sky Atlas and Uranometria are both more detailed, but they're two-step atlases; you need a whole set of maps just to find out which map to look on for the details. And both of them are strictly pragmatic; they don't even try to compete with SA2K in terms of beauty, elegance, and attention to detail.

 

These days having lots of detail isn't necessarily a virtue for a paper atlas, given the fact that no paper atlas can possibly compete with an electronic atlas in terms of detail.

[jcj380]

I have the spiral bound, laminated, white stars on black version.  I like the layout and content, but it's not very convenient to use aside from a desk reference.  I use it very rarely.  

Edited by jcj380, 16 March 2024 - 01:34 PM.

[skyops]

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I love printed star atlases, owning several, and the SA2K Second Edition has been my most used at the telescope, over the ~25 years I've been at this hobby.

 

If you find something you like, you'd better buy extras, as it's sure to be discontinued at some point!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[skyops]

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Seen here, the Deluxe color paper version, the Deluxe color laminated, the laminated Field (white on black), laminated Desk (black on white), and, of course, the SA2K Companion.

 

I removed the spiral binding to aid access with the Field and Desk versions (also drawing the constellation stick figures on the Desk version) and obtained the S&T logoed chart holders.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[steve t]

 Since the early 1980s the SA200 was my main go too Atlas, but now days I've found the Pocket Sky Atlas much easier to use at the scope.

 

The only short coming I've found for the PSA is the lack of a Companion volume like the one for the SA2000.

[KidOrion]

I used SA2000.0 as my primary atlas in the field for at least 25 years. It’s still my “paper of choice.” I’ll often take Interstellarum out as well, but the Tirion is still the king of them to me.

 

Ed: apparently Game of Thrones is somehow important enough that my autocorrect deemed it necessary to change Tirion to “Tyrion.” A pox upon it.

Edited by KidOrion, 18 March 2024 - 12:39 PM.

[scottinash]

I agree that SA2000 remains "the best printed on paper out there!"   I bought my (then) slightly used copy in 1989 and now it has millions of light years on it's odometer, dents and dings, pencil marks/notes, as wells a few coffee stains that come with the many adventures.   Glad that you were able to find a "Like New" copy.

[wrvond]

*

 

I love printed star atlases, owning several, and the SA2K Second Edition has been my most used at the telescope, over the ~25 years I've been at this hobby.

 

If you find something you like, you'd better buy extras, as it's sure to be discontinued at some point!

 

 

 

IMGP1449 - Copy.JPG

 

 

 

 

 

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Of those, I lack the Desk Version (the one in the upper left). Those cases/bags are awesome as well. Wish I had some, too.

I've been thinking it's time to place an ad for the Desk Version...

Edited by wrvond, 26 March 2024 - 06:07 PM.

[skyops]

SA2000.jpg

 

Of those, I lack the Desk Version (the one in the upper left). Those cases/bags are awesome as well. Wish I had some, too.

I've been thinking it's time to place an ad for the Desk Version...

*

 

I wish you luck.

 

Same thing with the MSA, I bought the hard-bound and paperback, thinking it might disappear at some point.

 

Here's something which might work for the charts:

 

 

https://www.amazon.c...456&sr=8-7&th=1

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Edited by skyops, 26 March 2024 - 06:43 PM.

[WillR]

I have a set I bought second hand. I made a holder for them from gatorboard with a clear vinyl cover so 

I can use them at the eyepiece. 
 

But mostly I use the PSA.

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[wrvond]

*

 

I wish you luck.

 

Same thing with the MSA, I bought the hard-bound and paperback, thinking it might disappear at some point.

 

Here's something which might work for the charts:

 

 

https://www.amazon.c...456&sr=8-7&th=1

. 

 

 

 

 

 

.

I've posted the want ad, so we'll see what happens.

That bag looks perfect!

It's in my cart, thanks!

 

W

[jcj380]

SA2000.jpg

 

Of those, I lack the Desk Version (the one in the upper left). Those cases/bags are awesome as well. Wish I had some, too.

I've been thinking it's time to place an ad for the Desk Version...

Ok, just to make sure before I order anything -

 

I have the Field Version - spiral bound, laminated with white stars on black.  The Desk Version is spiral bound, laminated with black stars on white, yes?  Or is it not laminated?

 

Thanks.

[Alvan Clark]

 

 

I have the Field Version - spiral bound, laminated with white stars on black.  The Desk Version is spiral bound, laminated with black stars on white, yes?  Or is it not laminated?

 

Thanks.

I haven't been keeping up lately but in the past the desk came both laminated and unlaminated. Laminated more expensive.
 

[wrvond]

Ok, just to make sure before I order anything -

 

I have the Field Version - spiral bound, laminated with white stars on black.  The Desk Version is spiral bound, laminated with black stars on white, yes?  Or is it not laminated?

 

Thanks.

https://shopatsky.co...-desk-laminated

 

If it doesn't specifically say "laminated" I'd assume it isn't.

 

I was going to order one from "ShopAtSky.com but they want $146.61 standard shipping for a $79.95 atlas!

It occurs to me that these atlases are discontinued, so it's likely ShopAtSky has them in stock, though the webpage I landed on indicates it is in stock. Perhaps the shipping quoted so high because it's not actually available.

Who knows...

 

Here's the unlaminated desk version:

 

https://shopatsky.co...esk-unlaminated

 

The copies on eBay are reasonably priced but come from Sri Lanka with low feedback sellers. Don't think I want to risk it.

Edited by wrvond, 27 March 2024 - 12:42 PM.

[skyops]

 

The copies on eBay are reasonably priced but come from Sri Lanka with low feedback sellers. Don't think I want to risk it.

*

 

Probably a wise decision.

 

 

 

 

 

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[jcj380]

https://shopatsky.co...-desk-laminated

 

If it doesn't specifically say "laminated" I'd assume it isn't.

 

I was going to order one from "ShopAtSky.com but they want $146.61 standard shipping for a $79.95 atlas!

It occurs to me that these atlases are discontinued, so it's likely ShopAtSky has them in stock, though the webpage I landed on indicates it is in stock. Perhaps the shipping quoted so high because it's not actually available.

Who knows...

 

Here's the unlaminated desk version:

 

https://shopatsky.co...esk-unlaminated

 

The copies on eBay are reasonably priced but come from Sri Lanka with low feedback sellers. Don't think I want to risk it.

I jumped on S@S and plugged in my info.  $38 shipping to Chicago.  

 

An Abe Books vendor will ship it for $5, but they want $100 for it.

 

I guess I'll just keep my Field Version unless maybe somebody wants to trade sometime.

[Tony Flanders]

Ok, just to make sure before I order anything -

 

I have the Field Version - spiral bound, laminated with white stars on black.  The Desk Version is spiral bound, laminated with black stars on white, yes?  Or is it not laminated?

 

Thanks.

The Desk edition is exactly like the Field edition, except that it's black-on-white instead of white-on-black. For what it's worth, most people agree that black stars on white paper are easier to read both at the desk and in the field, making the Field edition a bit of a misnomer.

 

Both the Desk and Field editions were originally published both laminated and unlaminated. The laminated versions were spiral bound, but the unlaminated versions were published as loose sheets.

 

The Deluxe edition is a bit different. It's in color, and at a slightly larger scale. Both the laminated and unlaminated versions were spiral-bound, but in different ways. The sheets for the unlaminated version are bound on the left and folded.

 

My own personal favorite is the unlaminated Desk edition. I folded all the sheets mapwise -- four times like an accordion, and then once top to bottom. That makes them very easy to carry, and I can open them out as much or as little as I like in the field, just like a road map.

 

I don't like laminated maps; they're dew-magnets.

[Crusty99]

*

 

I love printed star atlases, owning several, and the SA2K Second Edition has been my most used at the telescope, over the ~25 years I've been at this hobby.

 

If you find something you like, you'd better buy extras, as it's sure to be discontinued at some point!

 

 

 

IMGP1449 - Copy.JPG

 

Your collection is nice.

 

Bob 

Kentucky

 

 

 

 

 

 

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