BajaNomad - NO MORE AAA MAPS

NO MORE AAA MAPS

bajajudy - 12-5-2007 at 04:41 PM

After December 31, 2007 AAA will no longer sell any of their maps retail. We have sold over 5000 of these maps in 2 years. They will still be available to members.

My question is.....what other map do you use and like?
....please no Baja Peninsula Folding Map from the Almanac guy as they are not available either.

We have been in contact with National Geographic because when we saw them in New York at the book show, they said that they would have a Baja map but it will not be available until Spring 2008(that is a projected date not written in stone!)

So what do you guys(and gals) think? What other maps are you familiar with?

Thanks for any help!

Oso - 12-5-2007 at 05:01 PM

I was recently told that I should put my dog-eared Baja Almanac away in a folder, that there will be no more and that one has been listed on e-bay at $800.

I wish I could find one for Sonora that good.

Barry A. - 12-5-2007 at 05:02 PM

The two maps you mention, plus the "Atlas", are by far the best maps I have ever run into, and I have them all.

The Mexican Topos are way to expensive, and difficult to work with as the scale is very detailed, and thus they are huge for a limited area per sheet----but they are quite good, tho not as good as the USA topos. I have about 30 of them, all for Baja Norte.

With the major maps being out of print we are stuck--------I see a profit story really developing here------the Atlas and it's companion map should really re-issue, and soon.

Did the Auto Club give a reason why they will not be selling their maps retail?

Maybe David K has some input?

barry

Barry A. - 12-5-2007 at 05:05 PM

Oso------

I have been looking for a decent map of Sonora for YEARS------and have yet to find one, other than the Topos.

I even canvassed the Map Shop in Tucson, who has maps of everything on earth, and they did not have a decent map of Sonora.

Very frustrating, I know.

barry

Mexitron - 12-5-2007 at 05:30 PM

I love the Mexican topos--they're much cheaper to buy at INEGI in Ensenada(they also have other Baja maps there too but not as user friendly as the AAA map). While the Mex topos are often out of date, that is what is interesting about them as well--finding old roads that have been forgotten. The Baja Atlas is okay, but I prefer the detail in the larger topos.

When you say they won't sell the map "retail" does that mean that AAA members can still get them? I didn't even know they sold them otherwise.

bajajudy - 12-5-2007 at 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajajudy
After December 31, 2007 AAA will no longer sell any of their maps retail. We have sold over 5000 of these maps in 2 years. They will still be available to members.

They sell to us because we are distributors of maps in Baja.

We have the INEGI topo maps on a disk...pretty handy.

map of bcs

islandmusicteach - 12-5-2007 at 06:24 PM

I have an excellent map of bcs by the secretaria de communicaciones y transportes in pdf format, 1.3MB and would be happy to email it to anyone who wants it for the computer or to print up their own maps. I got it on the web somewhere...

larry - 12-5-2007 at 06:31 PM

I like the Guia Roji maps for other parts of Mexico--haven't used the Baja ones, because the AAA map is good for Baja. The Guia Roji maps for Nayarit and Jalisco are very good and cheap.

David K - 12-6-2007 at 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry A.
The two maps you mention, plus the "Atlas", are by far the best maps I have ever run into, and I have them all.

The Mexican Topos are way to expensive, and difficult to work with as the scale is very detailed, and thus they are huge for a limited area per sheet----but they are quite good, tho not as good as the USA topos. I have about 30 of them, all for Baja Norte.

With the major maps being out of print we are stuck--------I see a profit story really developing here------the Atlas and it's companion map should really re-issue, and soon.

Did the Auto Club give a reason why they will not be selling their maps retail?

Maybe David K has some input?

barry

This is going to be tough to call.... The best 'travel' map for showing the most details is the Baja Almanac or the folding Almanac map mentioned above. They are no longer available (again) but with promiss of new editions coming.

The other 'best' map is the Auto Club of So. Calif (AAA) Baja map... It does have milages for every road shown, which makes it more useful than the Almanac for trip planning or driving. However, it only shows a few dirt roads where the Almanac show most dirt roads (and trails).

So, either join the auto club or get maps from friends who are members, if they stop retail sales.

An alternate for the Baja Almanac appeared recently, and is called the Baja California Atlas 2007

However, it is far less detailed than the Almanac or AAA map and does not show arroyos. The surfers will hate it because it points out the 'Seven Sisiters'! It contains several advertisements, as well.

But, I can't think of any map or map book better than it, if the Almanac or AAA map is not available. www.mexicomaps.com

[Edited on 12-6-2007 by David K]

Al G - 12-6-2007 at 10:34 AM

islandmusicteach sent me a PDF map that is well done...Thanks Dave

David K - 12-6-2007 at 10:36 AM

I did go into detail on this in August: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=26429

Some notable errors include showing the road paved into Bahia Tortugas, showing the road betweeen San Felipe and Puertecitos as dirt, not showing El Marmol or the road to El Marmol.

It does show the Blvd. 2000 highway and the detour toll road around the south side of Mexicali.

What about this one?

Don Alley - 12-6-2007 at 10:43 AM

vgabndo - 12-6-2007 at 11:06 AM

I've worn out a couple of the ITM maps as above, they have done me fine, but I'm not much of an explorer.

[Edited on 12-6-2007 by vgabndo]

ELINVESTIG8R - 12-6-2007 at 11:26 AM

I bought an SD card called Baja Expeditioner GPS Map - Mexico GPS Atlas at http://www.mexicomaps.com/ for for my Garmin Nuvi 250W which covers from Tijuana to Cabo San Lucas. I am going to try it out mid December. This site has topo maps too. I spoke to the owner and he was very nice and patient with this novice.

Barry A. - 12-6-2007 at 11:52 AM

I would rate KEVIN HEALEY'S TRAVEL MAP (shown above) as only "fair", but it is among the better maps, tho not much good for us "off the beaten track" folks. I do own it, but seldom use it, as the other maps mentioned above are simply better for my purposes, which is "detail".

For rapid travel up and down the main road I rely on the AAA Map (tho is has become less and less detailed over the years)

For off the main road travel (which is what I mostly do) I rely on the BAJA ATLAS for use as I travel.

For sitting at home studying of where I would like to go next, I rely on the Mexican Topo maps, coupled to and compared with, the BAJA ATLAS, with occasional reference to the AAA map. I especially love the very old AAA maps which have much more detail, and show many of the really "old" tracks and roads.

The mapping crew at AAA have lately DELETED many roads from their maps-----very frustrating-----also, they are much more sloppy in "ground truthing" their new maps, so more and more errors are showing up. What used to be the Gold Standard of maps (AAA), are now only "good" maps, but not the quality of their old maps, IMHO.

This is true of both their BAJA maps, as well as the USA maps by AAA.

Mexitron - 12-6-2007 at 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajajudy

We have the INEGI topo maps on a disk...pretty handy.

Are you selling those? I remember checking them out a few years ago at INEGI and they were still kind of expensive...but with a laptop they might just be more convenient than maps...maybe...I don't know though--some of my old maps have pencilled in trails and comments, beer and coffee stains, worn edges--lots of memories that might not be as authentic on a computer.

Mexitron - 12-6-2007 at 12:07 PM

Come to think of it though--one could print out those INEGI topos into 8x11 size sections and be easier to use too.

Cypress - 12-6-2007 at 01:38 PM

The "Baja California Road & Recreation Map" is a good one.

bajajudy - 12-6-2007 at 01:44 PM

Nope, we are not selling the INEGI maps. We download the ones we need for our trips onto our laptop. The topographics come in handy when you are out in the middle of nowhere wondering which way to go.

We are selling the Altas mentioned above but it is not wonderful and their folding map doesn't have Puerto Los Cabos Marina and the new East Cape roads so we are reluctant to sell it here.

So bottom line, no one knows of anything better. That is a shame. They have given us no reason for discontinuing the retails sales. It certainly cant be from lack of sales, considering how many we alone have sold.

David K - 12-6-2007 at 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Don Alley

That one was really good Don (I have it laminated and on my wall), but the recent editions are junk... They went to a Mexican or gas station/ guia roja style road map to use instead and is worthless now. Roads not shown correctly, place names wrong, etc.... Again, that is in the newest editions, not the one you pictured.

surfer jim - 12-7-2007 at 08:32 AM

Speaking of AAA ...I thought it seems that there are less dirt roads now shown than there used to be...and was wondering where they went.... :?:

bajalou - 12-7-2007 at 08:39 AM

They were worried about getting sued if you got stuck on one of these remote dirt rodes.

David K - 12-7-2007 at 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajalou
They were worried about getting sued if you got stuck on one of these remote dirt rodes.

This is true, I spoke with an AAA cartographer some time ago and questioned him as to why a graded road was shown as an unimproved road in a following addition (that I knew was still graded)... It was because a member had difficulty driving it in his 2WD car, and he 'trusted' the auto club map! :lol:

So, it is the legal team who now make the maps! :barf:

Baja roads come in so many types... but if grouped and indicated on a map, they could be classified as:

1) Divided Highways (1-D, Blvd. 2000, etc.).

2) Paved Roads.

3) Graded Gravel/Dirt roads (usually all weather, paved dips, culverts) built by government with kilometer markers. Two lanes wide. May have been paved in the past or built for future paving.

4) Graded/ Bladed Dirt roads (bulldozer or grader scraped roads, often washboard surface). Bad weather may affect passage. May be one or two lanes wide.

5) Unimproved dirt roads. May have been graded in the past but always one car lane wide, usually a pair of deep tracks. Bad weather will affect passage. High ground clearance desired.

6) Poor dirt roads. Steep grades, large rocks, deep sand, overgrown vegetation, 4WD or ORV only.

Hook - 12-7-2007 at 03:50 PM

this is why I refuse to throw out my older AAA maps. The older ones have a bit more detail on roads.

Now, if Baja will just give me a reason to stop boycotting it, I could do something with them.............. :smug:

Barry A. - 12-7-2007 at 04:06 PM

David-------

I like your "roads" index ideas--------seems like it would resolve the "being sued" problems, and AAA could get back to making the excellent maps of old. They also could put some kind of narritive disclaimer on the map, thus warning folks of the possible road problems that often occur out of the blue.

I still think they are getting a little sloppy in their ground-truthing.

barry

David K - 12-8-2007 at 05:15 PM

The AAA map legend actually has classifications but without the 4WD or other notes...

Anyway, last night at the Discover Baja party I discovered a NEW AAA map was being sold... issued 9-07! I will post the changes I found in it, in a seperate thread... LOOK HERE: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=28509

[Edited on 12-9-2007 by David K]

Mango - 12-8-2007 at 10:08 PM

I like my Baja Almanac; but, I also have a "Rough Guide" Baja Map and one for the mainland.

I'd say it's only slightly better than the AAA map; but, it is on waterproof/tearproof paper which is a plus. It also has contour lines which is a big plus. I really like the mainland version (Which also includes Baja; but, at reduced detail.)

I found mine in my local bookstore, so keep your eyes peeled for it if you want to check it out.

http://www.roughguides.com/website/shop/products/Baja-California-Map.aspx

David K - 12-9-2007 at 10:51 AM

Well, I haven't seen that one Mango, but when I went to order it, this is the message:

The Rough Guide to Baja California Map (Rough Guide Country/Region Map) [FOLDED MAP] (Map)
by Rough Guides (Author)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Availability: Currently unavailable. We don't know when or if this item will be back in stock.

So, with that news... Judy??? Anyone???