BajaNomad

Best Garmin NUVI GPS SD Card Maps BICIMAPS/Garmin?

xshimon - 1-2-2014 at 01:54 PM

We're heading to LA Bay and were wondering about maps for our Garmin 2450LMT GPS. I wanted to get some opinions from anyone who uses either Garmin or BICIMAPS SD cards in their device? In particular, are the preloaded maps good/bad/great? I've been to LA Bay several times, and now that we are real eating serious about finding a place for our trailer, I'm interested in GPS mapping options. Your thoughts?

Map ideas for Nuvi2450LMT GARMIN or BICIMAPS, or ...

xshimon - 1-2-2014 at 02:05 PM

We're heading to LA Bay and were wondering about maps for our Garmin 2450LMT GPS. I wanted to get some opinions from anyone who uses either Garmin or BICIMAPS SD cards in their device? In particular, are the preloaded maps good/bad/great? I've been to LA Bay several times, and now that we are real eating serious about finding a place for our trailer, I'm interested in GPS mapping options. Your thoughts?

Sorry for the extra post.

Garmin

bajaguy - 1-2-2014 at 02:36 PM

I have a Garmin 2595 and the built in base map of North America works great here in Baja for highway/road and city streets

bajagrouper - 1-2-2014 at 04:42 PM

I have both the Garmin Mexico SD chip and the Bisimapas and did a side by side comparison last year driving all over Mexico, from Nogales to Cancun and the Garmin showed more detail and gave better directions that the Bisimapas ...

Pescador - 1-2-2014 at 06:16 PM

I don't understand how you can do a comparison. If you take a Nuvi and load Bicimapas you get both operating systems. I added the Bicimapas and it works better than the original software in the Garmin unit which had some serious errors in larger cities like La Paz. The Bicimapas still has some errors and shows roads where they were some years ago and not where they are currently.

It is a big help for getting around in bigger cities like La Paz and Cabo but not a lot of help in the backcountry in our area around Santa Rosalia.

Russ - 1-2-2014 at 06:23 PM

I like http://www.cartografiagps.com/mape32/index.htm
I have no idea what is best but this works well with my iMac and air. Very detailed and updated as you go.

motoged - 1-2-2014 at 09:16 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Russ
I like http://www.cartografiagps.com/mape32/index.htm
I have no idea what is best but this works well with my iMac and air. Very detailed and updated as you go.


Russ,
I agree...the mapa E 32 is the map of choice for GPS'ing Mexico...it is helping me not get lost in Baja on my current trip....some false leads, but better than the others.

Good for off-roading, getting around cities/towns, etc.

Lengua - 1-2-2014 at 09:41 PM

so what base unit is best to install this software. In other words I want to buy a good unit to go in the truck . Not a handheld but a dash mounted unit that has a decent screen size and is easy to view.

Thanks ,
Mike

Lengua - 1-2-2014 at 09:43 PM

I meant the cartografiagps software

Lo Siento

I

xshimon - 1-2-2014 at 11:08 PM

KasloKid - 1-2-2014 at 11:12 PM

xshimon
your garmin 2450LMT unit came preloaded with City Navigator North America (on it's internal memory). If it includes Mexico, then to navigate to, around and from LA Bay, that is all you probably need.

The e32 map is a fantastic map for finding your way around offroad as well as main road driving (the topo lines can be confusing for a lot of folks, though)

The plus side of City Navigator is that you can auto-route with it, whereas e32 does not.

If LA Bay is your only destination, I think all you really need is a AA Map of Baja. The trip is pretty straight forward. Be sure to fuel up at El Rosario as it's almost 200 miles to LA Bay (next gas station) You can get barrel gas from road side vendors (Catavina and the turnoff to LA Bay) if you really need to.... no diesel though.

ahhh, I miss Baja :biggrin:

xshimon - 1-2-2014 at 11:14 PM

Russ,
I'm an Apple dealer, so this makes me really happy. Given that most of the time we'll be in Baja, and given that the route from TJ to LA Bay is fairly straightforward, but do these topo maps give you on road detail as we'll? I'm not expecting turn by turn in Mulege, but I'm curious about how they do if I wanted to get to Bahia Ascension, for example. I'll check it out. Thanks for the tip.

KasloKid - 1-2-2014 at 11:18 PM

I'd suggest a Garmin Nuvi. Pick a screen size and price point your happy with and purchase. Best if you pick one with All North America including Mexico, and is a LMT (lifetime mapupdates incluced)
Here's a link to e32 website that lists all compatible gps units: http://www.cartografiagps.com/mape32/compatibility.htm
Quote:
Originally posted by Lengua
so what base unit is best to install this software. In other words I want to buy a good unit to go in the truck . Not a handheld but a dash mounted unit that has a decent screen size and is easy to view.

Thanks ,
Mike

e32

KasloKid - 1-2-2014 at 11:38 PM

Here's a computer screenshot of e32




[Edited on 1-3-2014 by KasloKid]

[Edited on 1-3-2014 by KasloKid]

City Navigator

KasloKid - 1-3-2014 at 12:06 AM

Here's a garmin city navigator screenshot of the same area:

Russ - 1-3-2014 at 06:48 AM

KasloKid, Were you able to download the free 2014 version? I can't seen to figure it out yet.

xshimon - 1-3-2014 at 08:46 AM

Thanks to all that replied. The E32 mapping solution is AWESOME.
Color me HAPPY.

Russ - 1-3-2014 at 08:51 AM

Now you can take the back trails ;D
Quote:
Originally posted by xshimon
Russ,
I'm an Apple dealer, so this makes me really happy. Given that most of the time we'll be in Baja, and given that the route from TJ to LA Bay is fairly straightforward, but do these topo maps give you on road detail as we'll? I'm not expecting turn by turn in Mulege, but I'm curious about how they do if I wanted to get to Bahia Ascension, for example. I'll check it out. Thanks for the tip.

xshimon - 1-3-2014 at 09:26 AM

My wife and I are open ocean sea kayakers, so being able to get our boats to water is why I'm after better maps. After doing the Mulege to Loreto paddle a few times, we are ready to explore places like Ensenada San Basilio without a 2 week adventure.

KasloKid - 1-3-2014 at 11:03 AM

I have Life Time Updates that came with my Nuvi GPS, so I'm able to keep City Navigator maps current. If you have that as well, then you're able to do the same. You're allowed 4 updates per year. I also purchased a gps that came with all of North America including Mexico. The Mexico part is crucial...

I'm using Mapsource to open and manage map data, as I don't care for Garmin's latest software "Basecamp"

I'm also using a windows based computer, so if you have a Mac, I'm not familiar with the system.
Quote:
Originally posted by Russ
KasloKid, Were you able to download the free 2014 version? I can't seen to figure it out yet.


[Edited on 1-3-2014 by KasloKid]

motoged - 1-3-2014 at 11:19 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Russ
KasloKid, Were you able to download the free 2014 version? I can't seen to figure it out yet.


The process can be daunting, but their e-mail responses are prompt and helpful...the free upgrade only works for a map bought within the past year...


The post with the comparisons is clear....if you scroll the e32 closer you can see Shari with a Tecate in both hands....:saint:

rts551 - 1-3-2014 at 11:23 AM

motoged

How current are the maps kept? This years rains changed a lot of the unpaved roads/trails.

PaulW - 1-5-2014 at 09:28 AM

I just got my map from Murdocknav.com. So now I have his latest map for both my Lowrance and my Garmin. Seems pretty good so far. All the off road stuff it the same for both. Here around San Felipe both maps have the kilometer points which is very handy. The KM points are also present near La Paz. Murdock puts out a new version for every Baja off road event with appropriate access roads.
I cannot tell you if his maps are compatible with the Nuvi gps?
PW