Phil C
Senior Nomad
Posts: 564
Registered: 3-27-2004
Location: N. San Diego County/ Loreto Centro/Lopez Mateos
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GPS
I'm looking for a large screen 7"? GPS with Mexico maps included.
Any advice?
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John M
Super Nomad
Posts: 1906
Registered: 9-3-2003
Location: California High Desert
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Try PCI
PCI Race Radio
(562) 427-8177
Great customer service
I have a very old Lowrance 540c - still works just fine. They tuned it up for us a couple of years ago. Lowrance makes screens of many sizes.
Lowrance must be still regarded as very good as almost all of the Baja race teams use them. I'm fairly certain Baja maps are pre-loaded if you get it
from PCI.
Murdock maps makes an aftermarket map set for Baja with a little more detail.
John M
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BajaMama
Super Nomad
Posts: 1106
Registered: 10-4-2015
Location: Pleasanton/Punta Chivato
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Mood: Got Baja fever!!
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We have an older cell enabled iPad and use GAIA maps on it. While it doesn't navigate for you (give you a route), we download routes to follow. My
husband mounted it on a flexible stand so we can turn it for viewing. You download the maps you need/want.
Oh, you need cell enabled iPad so that it has GPS - the WiFi only models depend on WiFi for the GPS.
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
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Regardless of the GPS you get you can download the Cartografia E32 maps that covers Mexico. You can get just Baja or all of Mexico. It cost $25 or
there about's and is updated yearly. Most off roaders have E32 in their GPS.
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John M
Super Nomad
Posts: 1906
Registered: 9-3-2003
Location: California High Desert
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GAIA
From GAIA website:
Access National Geographic Baja California Maps
Nat Geo Baja Maps are available to Premium users on gaiagps.com and your iOS and Android devices. Access and download Nat Geo Baja by visiting your
Map Layers, selecting “Add Maps,” “Topo Maps” and then “NatGeo Baja.”
Another option in addition to what TMW gave.
We use GAIA (free version) in the U.S. with the topo maps that come in the basic free package. It works off line just fine to show your gps position
on the map. We've downloaded trails we want to run ahead of time and so far is flawless in the states. No experience with it in Baja. And it's on an
android tablet so it's a pretty big screen.
JM
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JZ
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9236
Registered: 10-3-2003
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Run Gaia or Back Country Navigator on your phone and / or tablet.
Much better than a standalone GPS. Bigger, better screen and much easier to use since you are using the same keyboard you use every day.
Download satellite images of areas you plan to travel to for use when you don't have cell service.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64480
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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The Benchmark Baja Atlas is available to download onto your GPS enabled Smart Phone or tablet. It is superior to the Nat'l Geo map as far as road
details go, plus it is updated for 2021, vs 2008.
The GPS in your phone/ tablet will show you where you are on the Benchmark Atlas, while exploring Baja!
https://www.avenzamaps.com/maps/1250162/baja-california-atla...
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Sunman
Nomad
Posts: 400
Registered: 6-22-2007
Location: Oxnard
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Another for Gaia. Too easy, user friendly. Will never buy another GPS unit again. It would take many years of premium service to equal a quality new
GPS unit that will eventually become outdated.
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PaulW
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3005
Registered: 5-21-2013
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It is great to have more than one app on your device. For sure I have benchmark on my phone which is always with me even, but is is pretty much
useless except for the big view. The phone App I use mostly is Google maps and maps.me, but I would not call either a GPS substitute, but I would not
be without the directions ns POIs those apps give.
For sure if you are a hard core off roader then you will need something at least as good as an old Lowrance with Murdock maps not recommend due to
cost and size. A tablet is better as mentioned with one of the maps options mentioned.
In any event once you compare a real GPS with a tablet or phone you will have to adjust to the poor picture you get. However good enough if the
lighting is favorable.
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advrider
Super Nomad
Posts: 1847
Registered: 10-2-2015
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I have a Garmin only because I had it before I started using the phone apps. On a bike the phone works good and is much easier to use then the GPS. I
have E32 maps on the GPS and use it as a back up to my phone, it's a second phone not my main phone. Both phones are set up with the OSMAND app and is
used for all navigation.
I might try the GAIA APP as I have read a lot of good things about it. For traveling in my truck in Baja I will probably go to a tablet because of the
larger screen. Unless you are good on a computer I would stay away from a stand alone GPS, they are hard to get the tracks on and usually require a
computer to make changes and add routes. The phone GPS based apps are super easy to use and you can email tracks and they will open in the program you
are running.
I wasted a lot of money to learn the info that people have shared above.
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RFClark
Super Nomad
Posts: 2332
Registered: 8-27-2015
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Mood: Looking forward to 2024
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maps.me work with any android or I device that runs apps. Down load maps for the area you need so they work off line too. I run them on an iPad pro.
It does tracks too.
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Mr. Bills
Nomad
Posts: 189
Registered: 9-10-2019
Location: Area Code 530
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Quote: Originally posted by TMW  | | Regardless of the GPS you get you can download the Cartografia E32 maps that covers Mexico. You can get just Baja or all of Mexico. It cost $25 or
there about's and is updated yearly. Most off roaders have E32 in their GPS. |
I used Cartografia E32 on a cheap Garmin navigator on a trip in early 2020. Worked great.
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
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A GPS, phone apps and tablets are all great devices and if you don't know where you are they'll help you get home before bed time. Doesn't anyone like
getting lost. It's one of the best things about Baja. Not knowing where you are is a great feeling that only a true adventurer can enjoy. If in doubt
turn around and go back the way you came.
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PaulW
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3005
Registered: 5-21-2013
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Cartografia E32 is only for Garmin gps.
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advrider
Super Nomad
Posts: 1847
Registered: 10-2-2015
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E-32 is now available for Android and I phones, I believe...
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John M
Super Nomad
Posts: 1906
Registered: 9-3-2003
Location: California High Desert
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Lowrance
If Lowrance technology is good enough for a 3/4 million dollar trophy truck then I guess it's good enough for me.
JM
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Mr. Bills
Nomad
Posts: 189
Registered: 9-10-2019
Location: Area Code 530
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Yes, Cartografia E32 has versions for Garmin, iPhone and iPad, but not Android phones or tablets. I asked about the possibility of an Android app
two years ago and was told, "maybe soon."
http://cartografiagps.com/en/
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