Craig
There are a lot of choices when it comes to Atlases and charts. I started with a set of Astrovisual ones (see
http://www.bintel.com.au/Accessories...oductview.aspx ) which are OK for brighter objects but I found the scale a bit small to effectively star hop. Nevertheless very inexpensive and I still use as they are very good at brouad navigation and identifying brighter stars.
The next step is probably Sky Atlas 2000 (there are several versions but this is similar top the one I used for a short while
http://www.bintel.com.au/Accessories...oductview.aspx ) Larger scale so easier to star hop. Then I mainly use Uranometria 2000 (see
http://www.bintel.com.au/Accessories...4/catmenu.aspx ) along with the Deep Sky Observers guide. If getting DSOG probably don't worry about vol 3 of U 2000. The single volume is probably the way to go now. Very detailed easy to star hop and more objects than you can see in a lifetime!!
Other to look at are the Cambridge Star Atlas (Beginners level) or the Cambridge Double Star Atlas (Slightly more advanced and lots of DSOs as well as double stars!) Collins Stars and Planets (good all round reference but charts are a bit small and dont sit flat on a table) or get the Bintel Starters kit with Planisphere and Astronomy 2013 that has a set of charts.
Malcolm