BajaNomad

Best GPS map for Baja?

motoged - 11-14-2009 at 02:50 PM

Nomads,
What is the best GPS (Garmin unit) GPS map for off-road use in Baja (I really don't want or need city detail, but want best unpaved roads/trails).

So far I have been looking at:
Bicimapas
LB maps - Navigator
CartografiasGPS
Lizard Lady system (which uses Fugawi)


Any recommendations or other sources???


Muchas Gracias:saint:

TacoFeliz - 11-14-2009 at 03:29 PM

I use the BiciMapas on my dash mounted Lowrance with very good results. Topo lines can be switched on and off, as well as levels of street names. Too many street names on the screen can clutter things pretty quickly, to the point where the screen becomes unreadable. Accuracy is OK, indicates I'm in the surf sometimes when I'm actually 20ft back from the shore.

The BiciMapas I have for my handheld Garmin 76csx is for all of Mexico and is great for streets and cities, not so hot for ranchos and dirt roads or topo info. The "Baja only" version looks good on some friends GPSs. Maybe some more detailed info will be forthcoming from other Nomads.

Good adventuring!

bajalou - 11-14-2009 at 03:51 PM

I have LB maps on my Garmin Map76CSx - great detail for the parts of baja I have traveled. Lots of back trails shown. I like it.

Pompano - 11-14-2009 at 04:46 PM

I have the Garmin handheld gps..model GPSmap76.

A very good unit for desert, highway, and for boat bag. It floats and has a built-in base map.

Here's some of it's features:

*audible alarms for anchor drag, arrival, off-course, and proximity waypoint.
* Speed and course filtering
* High resolution display
* Accepts electronic version of Fishing Hot Spot* lake data.
* Compatible with exclusive paperchart-like BlueChar* marine database
* Up to 16 hours use on 2 AA batteries
* 7.6 ounces makes it very lightweight
and some more neat stuff...like the man-overboard function.
.
Price at West Marine, Pt. Loma, San Diego was $180 plus tax.



.
So far I find it very handy. Will take me right back to the pinto rocks.
.

rts551 - 11-14-2009 at 06:29 PM

Using LB maps Navigator. Accuracy is an issue and of little use in the desert except for my own tracks. Looking for something more robust. Sure wish there was something with auto routing for my 60csx.

Cyanide41 - 11-15-2009 at 07:43 AM

I use these maps.
http://www.cartografiagps.com/

My only problem is in TJ there are SO MANY DAMN STREETS! It can be hard to navigate. This could be a problem with any software I guess.

I tested it on some trails near Mike's Sky Ranch and I was happy with the accuracy.

LB Maps

BajaRob - 11-15-2009 at 08:18 AM

installed on my 76CSx thanks to Mr Wells aka BalaLou. Very accurate offroad detail.

David K - 11-15-2009 at 10:21 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Cyanide41
I use these maps.
http://www.cartografiagps.com/

My only problem is in TJ there are SO MANY DAMN STREETS! It can be hard to navigate. This could be a problem with any software I guess.

I tested it on some trails near Mike's Sky Ranch and I was happy with the accuracy.


Looks great... but it is for all of Mexico and over $100. IF you need just BAJA and want to only spend $20, the link to LB Maps is: http://www.lbmaps.com/

rts551 - 11-15-2009 at 10:49 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaRob
installed on my 76CSx thanks to Mr Wells aka BalaLou. Very accurate offroad detail.


Depends on where you go. Much of the off-road trails in BCS around the Pacific side seem to be out of date. I also found myself in the Ocean as I road along the beach by the La Bocana estuary. I sent some of the tracks to Larry as updates

rts551 - 11-15-2009 at 10:51 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaRob
installed on my 76CSx thanks to Mr Wells aka BalaLou. Very accurate offroad detail.


Depends. Many of the trails in BCS on the Pacific side seem to be out of date (not surprising since they change over the years). Also found myself in the Ocean on my GPS as I road along the beach by the La Bocana estuary. Th road to Abreojos is incorrect.

I sent some of the tacks to Larry as updates.

texascarwasher - 11-15-2009 at 04:40 PM

Best GPS map for Baja?

We just returned from La Paz with my Garmin. Here’s the skinny. We bought the Mexico navigator from Garmin $60 US for all of Mexico.
The unit does great street navigation, but does not know what streets are one way. Since it is La Paz and the streets are so irregular this is OK. The biggest benefit in La Paz is that you know what the streets are named since there are so few street signs.
The map speaks to you in English but wait until you hear what it calls carrettera. The navigator uses strictly English pronunciation so if you speak Spanish or know how to pronounce words in Spanish it will give you pause.
We used it to drive from Costco in Cabo to our house in La Paz and it was perfect. However I’m not sure how many remote roads it has. For example it went to GPS as soon as we left Pichilingue headed for Balandra Beach

Plus it has Pemexs, retaurants in the attractions tab

Taco de Baja - 11-16-2009 at 08:55 AM

Go with the Mexico Maps - Baja Expeditioner 2010 if you want good topo and off-road coverage. I have the edition that was originally produced by LB Maps, and I guess he must have sold it to Mexico Maps. Works for me in the places I have been and has the dirt roads/trails plotted. The LB maps Navigator is more for city travel. I have it installed on a Garmin 76csx.

Mexico Maps Expeditioner

Please note that you will have to have the Garmin MapSource program installed to be able to transfer the maps and to your GPS.

motoged - 11-17-2009 at 12:20 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Looks great... but it is for all of Mexico and over $100. IF you need just BAJA and want to only spend $20, the link to LB Maps is: http://www.lbmaps.com/


David et al,
Cartografias will sell their Mexico map for $60 if you order their map on a micro SD card...check out their site....the $100 is for an online download program...contact their US distributor ...he is in Texas, not Michigan...Gustavo (gustavo.oviedo@yahoo.com) for more info as I did not see that info on their website:
http://www.cartografiagps.com/index2.htm

David K - 11-17-2009 at 09:37 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by motoged
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Looks great... but it is for all of Mexico and over $100. IF you need just BAJA and want to only spend $20, the link to LB Maps is: http://www.lbmaps.com/


David et al,
Cartografias will sell their Mexico map for $60 if you order their map on a micro SD card...check out their site....the $100 is for an online download program...contact their US distributor ...he is in Texas, not Michigan...Gustavo (gustavo.oviedo@yahoo.com) for more info as I did not see that info on their website:
http://www.cartografiagps.com/index2.htm


Using YOUR link Ged, I only see a $105 map/download and not any $60 one... (please post a better link):
====================================================
STORE


Use PAYPAL to purchase your map or an update.

Once you have placed your order you will receive an email in a period of 24-48 hrs with instructions on how to download your map. In case you do not receive this email please contact us at info@cartografiagps.com





E32 CD-PC
$ 125 dlls


Available on internet download version only

$ 105.00 dlls

======================================================

motoged - 11-17-2009 at 10:24 AM

David,
Read the post....e-mail Gustavo and ask about the $60 SD card option....It is NOT mentioned on their site....get on their website, click on the "Distributors" link ...(all in Mexico except Gustav...who is actually in Texas, not Michigan as the link says....e-mail him at that address or the one above in my post)...

I have ordered from him and
It's in the mail"

Bueno suerte

David K - 11-17-2009 at 10:37 AM

Okay Ged... I did what you said, I checked out the site: "David et al,
Cartografias will sell their Mexico map for $60 if you order their map on a micro SD card...check out their site."

Anyway, at least you cleared it up with your reply... thank you!

Check out your Santa Gertrudis thread for some details on the Santa Maria trail added this morning!

Take care, okay, eh?

[Edited on 11-17-2009 by David K]

motoged - 11-17-2009 at 09:20 PM

David,
Here is the text of the e-mail Gustavo sent to me when I first e-mailed him for purchasing info:

<"It's up to you, the differences between a card and a download are:

SD micro card - only work only in a compatible garmin GPS but it is only 60 USD + Shipping (? haven't shipped to CA but I'll find out )

Download - can be put in any garmin device, it's 105 USD
- Can get a 2nd. license for only 35 USD

Payment methods:
Paypal

Let me know your choice,...

Thank You

Gustavo">

Ged

David K - 11-17-2009 at 09:25 PM

Thanks Ged!

I mentioned you to Carol today (about need Almanacs in Canada) and she said they got your email... and will be happy to ship them first class to Canada.

motoged - 11-17-2009 at 10:11 PM

David,
Here is the text of the e-mail Gustavo sent to me when I first e-mailed him for purchasing info:

<"It's up to you, the differences between a card and a download are:

SD micro card - only work only in a compatible garmin GPS but it is only 60 USD + Shipping (? haven't shipped to CA but I'll find out )

Download - can be put in any garmin device, it's 105 USD
- Can get a 2nd. license for only 35 USD

Payment methods:
Paypal

Let me know your choice,...

Thank You

Gustavo">

Ged

Taco de Baja - 11-18-2009 at 08:09 AM

I'll bet the download will also let you transfer tracks, routes, and waypoints between your Garmin and computer using MapSource.

This is good if you want to create your own track and put it in your Garmin. Or quickly transfer a bunch of waypoints into the Garmin, rather then use the time consuming process of doing it manually on the hand held.

Also good if you have a lot of tracks in your Garmin and want to transfer them to your computer to make room for more tracks on your Garmin because the memory is full, and you won’t be going back to that track for a while.

ArvadaGeorge - 11-18-2009 at 08:56 AM

I have the the LBmapsBaja Expeditioner 2005. Is the 2010 better?
Thet offer a upgrade for $37.50 certainly reasonable. Has anyone compared the difference/

bajalou - 11-18-2009 at 09:28 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Taco de Baja
I'll bet the download will also let you transfer tracks, routes, and waypoints between your Garmin and computer using MapSource.

This is good if you want to create your own track and put it in your Garmin. Or quickly transfer a bunch of waypoints into the Garmin, rather then use the time consuming process of doing it manually on the hand held.

Also good if you have a lot of tracks in your Garmin and want to transfer them to your computer to make room for more tracks on your Garmin because the memory is full, and you won’t be going back to that track for a while.


I use OziExplorer for these functions. It has the added ability for me to take friends tracks/waypoints from their Lowrence and then load them in my Garmin Map76CSx or many other GPSrs.

geomike - 2-22-2010 at 03:30 AM

Hi all,

Does anyone have any experience with the Garmin nüvi®1450 GPS or similar in the nuvi line of GPS products.

Is this a useful unit for offroading in Baja?

Thanks