Forums > General > Traveling Mexico

azheat

Nov 4, 2008, 6:48 PM

Post #1 of 18 (3270 views)

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GPS for Mexico?

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I've searched the forum for this topic, but all I find are
posts that are several years old.

Since technology moves fast
Is there any new info on the best
GPS for driving in Mexico?

Thanks,
Tina

jerezano

Nov 5, 2008, 8:16 AM

Post #2 of 18 (3241 views)

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Re: [azheat] GPS for Mexico?

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Hello azheat,

Suggest you look at the Technical Mexico forum which is listed way down in the Forum index. I remember seeing quite a few GPS posts somewhere on these forums. Perhaps it was there.

jerezano

Jim B

Nov 6, 2008, 6:56 AM

Post #3 of 18 (3202 views)

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Re: [jerezano] GPS for Mexico?

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I just loaded the new MS Streets & trips (2009) and was amazed at the change in Mexico from the 2007 addition that I was using for traveling around the States. It's a free download for two months use. Check it out.

Rolly

Nov 6, 2008, 7:10 AM

Post #4 of 18 (3194 views)

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Re: [Jim B] GPS for Mexico?

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http://www.microsoft.com/...s/en-us/default.aspx

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
This is a good time to be living in Mexico.
A clean house is the sign of a broken computer.

toddmc

Nov 13, 2008, 1:34 PM

Post #5 of 18 (3125 views)

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Re: [azheat] GPS for Mexico?

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Hello

I have a Garmin GPS and have purchase maps from the following link

http://www.bicimapas.com.mx/MexicGPSAtlasEn.htm

Do you have any specific questions that I may be able to help you with?

Todd

*************************
Our new life in Patzcuaro: http://lifeinthecorazon.blogspot.com

azheat

Nov 13, 2008, 2:25 PM

Post #6 of 18 (3118 views)

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Re: [toddmc] GPS for Mexico?

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Thanks for this. So, have you found it very reliable?
You can plug in where you are, and where you want to
go and get turn by turn instructions?

Also, what kind of Garmin unit are you using and how do you like it?

Cheers,
Tina and Ron

toddmc

Nov 14, 2008, 9:57 AM

Post #7 of 18 (3078 views)

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Re: [azheat] GPS for Mexico?

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I have found it quite reliable, but that also is a function of what your expectations are.
They amount of detail available is not the same as north of the border, but is improving day by day.

For example, the map assumes that if two roads cross on the map that you can turn from one onto the other.
That is not always the case down here. For example it had me turning off a Cuota onto a local road. In real life there was an overpass for the local road over the cuota, but no way to turn from one to the other. Another thing that can be hit and miss is it can route you the wrong way on a one way road. That said, I use it on a regular basis and love it!

I have a Garmin Etrex Legend Hcx and I like it very much, looking back on my purchase I think I might upgrade to the Vista.
Now if you are wanting a unit just for your car, you would most likely want to look at a different type of garmin. Mine is a unit that is more designed for hiking and trails, but I can use it also in the car.

Todd

*************************
Our new life in Patzcuaro: http://lifeinthecorazon.blogspot.com

azheat

Nov 25, 2008, 4:12 PM

Post #8 of 18 (3012 views)

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Re: [toddmc] GPS for Mexico?

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UPDATE: Got our new Garmin 675T with Mexico chip today, and it
looks like it will be terrific. We plugged in the address of
the house in San Miguel, and it routed us to the front
door.

Now we'll see if the route matches the reality! By the
way, we plugged in the route from Yuma, AZ to the
house, and it figured it all out very quickly. Cool!

Tina

(This post was edited by azheat on Nov 25, 2008, 4:43 PM)

robrt8

Nov 25, 2008, 5:50 PM

Post #9 of 18 (2995 views)

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Re: [azheat] GPS for Mexico?

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What is your route?

azheat

Nov 27, 2008, 5:29 AM

Post #10 of 18 (2957 views)

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Re: [robrt8] GPS for Mexico?

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Sorry I haven't had time to answer, but we've been
packing like maniacs. Challenging yesterday and
last night because we had a huge rain storm in
Arizona, complete with lots of lightning.

We're leaving this morning! Been up since 3:30 a.m.
determined to be on the road by 8 or 9.

So, Happy Thanksgiving everyone! We hope/expect (??)
to be in San Miguel by Sunday evening.

I'll report back on the route, the journey, and the
border crossing next week.

Cheers,
Tina

azheat

Dec 3, 2008, 4:42 AM

Post #11 of 18 (2902 views)

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Re: [azheat] GPS for Mexico?

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We're here! Arrived on Saturday night by driving
12 hours from Eagle Pass. We were the first car
across the border at 7 a.m.

The GPS worked like a champ. We were worried about
going through Monclova because of all the problems
there with "shake downs" for US drivers on the bypass.

Our solution was to drive straight through town, which
wasn't bad. The GPS got us through without a problem.

I ended up doing the thing I swore I would never do,
and so many have (rightfully) advised against...driving
in the dark for the last 2 hours to get here.

I don't recommend that activity, but we made it
just fine. Very unreal feeling through, quite a
disorienting way to arrive in SMA for our first time.

At any rate, the mapping program managed to
guide us through the narrow streets to our home.

On the other hand...we made our first trip to Queretero
yesterday afternoon to go to Costco. The mapping
program was VERY confused about Q. and we wandered
for 3 HOURS trying to find the Costco. Our ultimate
solution was to play "Amazing Race".

We shouted to a cab driver (while driving) got him
to pull over to the shoulder of the road, and asked
him (LOTS of sign language) if he would guide us
to Costco. SI! We glued ourselves to his back bumper
and he got us there for 50 pesos.

So, sometimes creativity and the "old fashioned way"
is good too...especially in Mexico.

And guess what...due to to the 3 hour wander, I
got to drive in the dark AGAIN! GPS got us back to
SMA in fine form, no problems.

Cheers,
Tina

Brian

Dec 3, 2008, 6:48 AM

Post #12 of 18 (2893 views)

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Re: [azheat] GPS for Mexico?

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I hope you remembered to set the location of Costco in your POI favorites. It will make your next trip there easier and cheaper. The recommendation against driving at night in Mexico is exaggerated in my opinion. However, extra caution is warranted because of the possibility of animals on the road and Mexicans driving without headlights.

Brian

azheat

Dec 3, 2008, 7:18 AM

Post #13 of 18 (2888 views)

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Re: [Brian] GPS for Mexico?

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We did Brian, while still sitting in the parking lot of Costco.
Not about to have that adventure again if we can help it.

We have a ton of extra Hella lights on our Jeep, but
I haven't needed to use them. I'm already getting
used to the amount of people on the shoulders of
the roads at night, walking, waiting for buses, etc.

Today we're going to travel on foot! Off to see the Centro.

Cheers,
Tina

jreboll

Dec 3, 2008, 8:15 AM

Post #14 of 18 (2881 views)

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Re: [azheat] GPS for Mexico?

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We just got back via Zacatecas-Saltillo Rd. Another thing you have to watch out for are huge tumble weeds that take almost half the width of the road.

toucantango

Dec 21, 2008, 1:17 PM

Post #15 of 18 (2826 views)

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Re: [azheat] GPS for Mexico?

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A bit late replying to this but the comment about expectations regarding the Mexico maps is a good one. Having said that, there are some tricks that you can use to get where you want to go although you might wander a bit getting there. Except in the 3 or 4 largest cities, inputing the address won't work. In that case, we use google earth to do a search on the address. It can usually find a spot close enough and then we input the lat long into the Garmin and away we go. It also helps if you have a map of where you are going to assist in checking the location in Google earth but not always necessary. Any yes, be sure you save the correct point when you finally arrive and you won't have to go through the hassle again.

We used our Garmin 250W all the way from BC to Ajijic and only had a single hiccup when it didn't know about the new portion of the autopiste between Maz and Guad. And we never make a trip into Guad without it and it has, so far, never failed us!

For those who have not bought but are going to buy a Garmin, I offer the followind suggestion. Don't pay the big bucks for the really expensive one. All you get are more ancillary features like bluetooth, music player, fm receiver, etc. All of the new Garmins use the same gps engine.

http://www.toucantango.ca

S & C

Dec 24, 2008, 1:00 PM

Post #16 of 18 (2775 views)

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Re: [toucantango] GPS for Mexico?

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I recently got my 1st GPS unit, a Garmin nuvi 265. It works great in the US. But I didn't have anything on it for my drive down through Mexico this year. I would like to buy something before I drive back in May.
The Garmin Mexico software on their website didn't look like it had much to do with my trip along the gulf coast to the Yucatan. (Matamoros to Tulum, Q Roo).
It seemed to mostly cover central and western Mexico in detail but very lightly on my route

I just saw this link for Global-map and was wondering if anyone has heard of it or used it.
http://www.global-map.net/mx/index.html
(It seems to have more coverage of the area I need but I really couldn't tell from the web site).

Can anyone tell me how good MS Streets and trips covers this gulf coast route?

Thanks for the help and Merry Christmas to all.
Stan
Stan
http://CasaTropical.com

Jim B

Dec 25, 2008, 6:11 AM

Post #17 of 18 (2744 views)

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Re: [S & C] GPS for Mexico?

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I upgraded from S & T 2007 to 2009 and found a vast improvement in the map of Mexico. We drive the west coast route and now have detailed maps of the various cities in that region for the first time. Including driving through GDL, PV, etc. The east coast side is difficult for me to judge since I don't travel that route. However you can download 2009 free for 60 days (http://www.microsoft.com/...s/en-us/default.aspx) and take a look. The download is the full version.

(This post was edited by Rolly on Dec 25, 2008, 7:30 AM)

jslay

Dec 28, 2008, 11:55 AM

Post #18 of 18 (2690 views)

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Re: [azheat] GPS for Mexico?

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I used my Garmin from Laredo to Lakeside a year ago and it worked fine. I had the card for Mexico and one for the USA. Just switched them out at the border.