bajagrouper - 8-29-2009 at 08:11 AM
after many years of driving all over Mexico with paper maps I have decided to purchase a GPS for my auto, my problem is there are thousands of GPS
devices on the market but few maps of the whole country of Mexico ( Cabo to Cancun) ...I believe I have the make and model of GPS ( Garmin 255w ) I
will buy but what map could I get that is similar to maps of the USA and Canada? Thanks in advance
Taco de Baja - 8-29-2009 at 08:32 AM
Get a Garmin and buy their Map Source program then buy a copy of LB Maps
You will then have access to topo maps directly on your GPS unit. Many of the dirt roads and streams are included, and seem to be accurate. Also,
has many city streets, but most are not named.
I have the Garmin 76csx unit and like it a lot. it even has tide station data, so you can determine highs and lows while camping on the beach.
Update: Looks like the topo map version is no longer available, not sure why. It was known as the "Expeditioner". The "Navigator" version that he
currently has for sale is mainly for city streets and does have street names.
[Edited on 8-29-2009 by Taco de Baja]
KasloKid - 8-29-2009 at 02:14 PM
The Garmin 255W will suit you fine, if all you're using it for is navigating by car or truck. It has voice guidance, which is really appreciated if
you're in busy traffic. As for software, garmin has just released a new version of their North America City Navigator NT V2010.20 which also includes
all of Mexico's major roads and cities. This software also includes autorouting. If you're looking to do some off roading, I've used a mexico map
made by bicimapas. It has most off roads and trails, and also supports autorouting. http://www.bicimapas.com.mx/MexicGPSAtlasEn.htm
This web site is a download version, which you have to load to your gps by using a garmin program called mapsource. Ask the author of bicimapas where
to download mapsource.
If you purchase the NACN NT V2010.20, then get the dvd version which should also include their program of mapsource.
Hope this helps you out
bajalou - 8-29-2009 at 02:37 PM
Like Taco de Baja, I have a Garmin Map76CSx loaded with LB Maps and have been very happy with it. Mostly I use it for off/back road travel, but the
map of Mexicali is very good. A personal thing, I don't want "turn by turn" routing.
KasloKid - 8-29-2009 at 08:06 PM
I agree with bajalou about the "turn by turn" routing feature. I rarely use it except when I'm travelling through L.A or Las Vegas.... seems they are
always changing their road system. It does come in handy though, when I'm trying to find an address and I don't have my wife "telling me where to
go!!!" I've never tried this feature in Mexico, so I don't know how accurate it is. I have a garmin 60csx which I use on my dirt bike, and have used
the bicimapas software. Most of the dirt bike guys I know use this software.
There is another new option out there too..... made by a Mexican guy: http://www.cartografiagps.com/index2.htm It's supposed to have more off road and trail detail than all other maps (so I'm told).
Too bad that the LB maps are no longer available. I would've liked to have checked them out.
Good luck in your decision.....
TacoFeliz - 8-29-2009 at 10:51 PM
I've had great results with my Lowrance 480C (mounted, 5" screen) and also with a handheld Garmin 76csx. Both are running maps from BiciMapas. Here
is a recent news release they sent to customers on an update to their Mexico national map software. Their Baja software is first rate and includes
more topo information.
News release:
BiciMapas proudly announces the release of the 2010 edition of our Mexico GPS Atlas map. Adding an unprecedented amount of information and coverage,
making it the most complete map available of its type
New features are as follows:
- Increase of street detail coverage to over 3000 cities along the country including Nuevo Vallarta and Puerto Escondido.
- Routing improvements in cities such as Aguascalientes and Saltillo
- Increased POI coverage of over 70,000 adding content in cities such as Cabo San Lucas, La Paz, San José del Cabo, Loreto, Hermosillo,
Chihuahua, Mexico City, Acapulco, Guadalajara, Toluca, Cuernavaca, Morelia, Monterrey, Oaxaca, Mazatlan, Merida, Puerto Escondido, Nuevo Laredo,
Reynosa, Matamoros, Ciudad Victoria, Altamira, Tampico, Ciudad Madero, Miramar and 300 more cities.
- Expanded the full street address search feature including house number in Alvaro Obregon, Tlalpan and Coyoacan sectors in Mexico City;
San Pedro Garza Garcia in Nuevo Leon; Merida in Yucatan and Culiacan in Sinaloa
- Highway updates throughout the country
- Improvements in routing calculation methods
This new version is not compatible with previous releases and will require a new unlock key. For registered customers with versions 2007, 2008 &
2009 there is an upgrade option at a special price for the GPS ID we have on record.
Please remember that if you purchased the map with any of our authorized dealers, please get in contact with him to acquire the upgrade to the 2009
edition
If you purchased it directly with us, please go to the following link for details and upgrade options
http://www.bicimapas.com.mx/MexicGPSAtlasEn.htm
We hereby confirm our commitment to continue creating the most comprehensive Mexico GPS map so that you can travel, fly, run, ride, navigate, drive
and can move throughout the country with the certainty of knowing where you are… and where you are headed to.
[Edited on 8-30-2009 by TacoFeliz]
Neal Johns - 8-30-2009 at 09:51 AM
Much as I hate to, this time I am in full support of TacoFeliz! It should be noted that Jay is so old they don't even make his Lowrance 480C GPS any
more! And yesterday his wife sat by me and filled my ears with a long list of his personal peculiarities. 
I have been using BiciMapas since they started a few years ago. This is at least their forth iteration and it looks like a winner. Good personal
service too.
Taco de Baja - 8-30-2009 at 10:41 AM
Looks like BiciMapas bought out the LBMaps Expeditioner program. It is part of their GPS Atlas 2010. You can buy the Expeditioner as a "region" for
$58. It will include all of Baja and a portion of Sonora. Or get all of Mexico for $104.
