Forums > Specific Focus > Technical Mexico

toddmc

Jul 12, 2005, 6:59 AM

Post #1 of 9 (2274 views)

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WAAS for GPS in Mexico

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Hello

For those of you who use a a Global Positioning System unit in mexico, could you tell me if Wide Area Augmentation System, for improving accuracy of your fix, works in mexico.

Thanks

Todd McIntosh

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

sfmacaws

Jul 13, 2005, 5:58 PM

Post #2 of 9 (2235 views)

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Re: [toddmc] WAAS for GPS in Mexico

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Todd,

I use my garmin all the time in MX and don't think that WAAS is working. I haven't looked specifically to see that though and I'm not there now - pretty close though, about 2 miles as the crow flies.

I have noticed that I am commonly running alongside a road on the map and that the possible error dimensions are generally above 15' 5o 20' . I had attributed the map problem to a bad map but now that you mention this (duh) it is much more likely to be a less accurate fix.

Isn't WAAS a govt run service that may or may not be offered by the MX gov?

Jonna - Mérida, Yucatán

toddmc

Jul 14, 2005, 7:59 AM

Post #3 of 9 (2208 views)

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Re: [sfmacaws] WAAS for GPS in Mexico

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My understanding is WAAS is an FAA program,
the garmin website says that the FAA has 25 ground stations in the US that cover "North America"

I assume they said that as the radio waves dont stop at the border that they overflow into canada and mexico.
But they give no indication of by how much.

But judging from your experience, I will assume that the overage outside the US is extremely limited. I do know that we do receive the WAAS corrections here in Vancouver, Canada.

I am looking at getting a garmin myself so I was checking to see what to expect while we are in mexico.

I am thinking about either the vista or the legend.

How long have you had your? Are you happy with it?

Thanks

Todd

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

sfmacaws

Jul 14, 2005, 10:59 PM

Post #4 of 9 (2175 views)

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Re: [toddmc] WAAS for GPS in Mexico

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I've had my Garmin Map76 for about 4 years. I could not do without it now, I feel lost when I don't have it with me in the car. The map I have of Mexico is just the world map that comes with all Garmin GPS. I'm thinking of ordering a better Mexico map before we cross back into MX this fall. I haven't decided yet whether to buy it or not. The current one, is usable for most things, it has federal highways, most cities and towns, some smaller roads and even some detail in large cities - major thoroughfares. It does not have newer roads, say in the last 6 - 10 years which includes many of the toll roads. I'm sometimes amazed at the really small pueblos that appear on the map but I have also found some glaring errors. Villahermosa, the capitol of Tabasco, appears about 100 km from its actual location.

If you are looking at a portable gps which will allow you to take it on hikes or bike rides or out in a boat (mine floats and is waterproof) then look for the sturdiest and look for good battery life. If it will mostly be used in a car, see if it has an antenna port so you can hook up a small antenna and get much better reception. We use an antenna in the RV because the forward overhang interferes with reception on the dash. You will also want a 12v lighter plug to save the battery while in the car. I've also taken it out on a boat when diving and marked our site then left it in the boat, it isn't ok at depth. If I wanted to find that exact site again, it would be easy. There is also a MOB button (man overboard) on mine that will instantly mark any site for return.

If you want to use it with a laptop or download routes to your desktop, you should look at what ports come on it. Having a USB port would be a big plus, I don't have one and need to use a kludgy USB to Serial adaptor. If I were buying another one, I'd spring for the color screen. It's a lot easier to read especially in low light. It does use up the batteries faster though.

I think you'll love it. Even when we are in a location that has no mapping features at all on the gps, I find it useful to know what direction I'm heading and where I am in relation to where I came from. I have a good sense of direction but I find that it has gotten better since I check it frequently with the gps.

Jonna - Mérida, Yucatán

toddmc

Jul 15, 2005, 6:09 AM

Post #5 of 9 (2164 views)

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Re: [sfmacaws] WAAS for GPS in Mexico

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Wow, thanks for all the into, that is really helpful!

What maps are available for mexico that can be uploaded into the unit?
Do you have an idea of what the maps cost?

Todd

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

sfmacaws

Jul 15, 2005, 2:03 PM

Post #6 of 9 (2144 views)

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Re: [toddmc] WAAS for GPS in Mexico

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I found out about this map here on MexConnect, try a search on gps and see if the discussion comes up. Here is the URL for the map database I'm considering, http://www.gmap.com.mx/es/11_info.htm

The cost is $150 US.

I do think there are other maps of Mexico available, but don't know about any other than the one above, that are in a format that allows you to upload them to your gps. I haven't really looked though, which is what I will be doing before I decide to buy or not.

Remember that you can link your gps to a laptop and use any map program installed on the computer to view the gps data on. I have a small laptop and when I want more detail, I link the laptop to the gps (using that d**m usb to serial cable) and use the larger screen, color display, and many other features from the mapping program on the computer. There are several mapping programs for windoze that allow you to buy different types of maps for different countries, ie topo, political, roads, etc. There are also programs that allow you to sync just about any map (including ones you scan from paper) to your gps. This allows you to download extreme detail topo maps from USGS for instance and sync them to the data coming from your gps so that your position shows up accurately on them.

Have you heard about geocaching? google that for a look at a really fun game/adventure. There are geocaches in most countries of the world, including Mexico. The whole area of toys and info and just "cool stuff to do" that has opened up from public availability of gps is fascinating. I haven't had the time to really investigate it, it's on my list though. :)

Jonna - Mérida, Yucatán

toddmc

Jul 18, 2005, 6:08 AM

Post #7 of 9 (2115 views)

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Re: [sfmacaws] WAAS for GPS in Mexico

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Thanks for the link, I will check it out.

Yes, Geocaching sounds like fun, I think we will definitely go with a handheld, get out and get a little exercise geocaching.

Thankfully GPS doesnt seem like computer buying is.
as in what you bought six months ago, is now halve price and out of date. But now for the budgeting!
With color being almost double the price of grayscale ( in the ones I am looking at) do you still think it is worth while?

Todd

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

sfmacaws

Jul 18, 2005, 3:31 PM

Post #8 of 9 (2100 views)

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Re: [toddmc] WAAS for GPS in Mexico

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It is refreshing that they don't go out of date quite so fast. The one I bought around 2001, http://www.garmin.com/products/gpsmap76/, is still being sold and the price has not dropped that much.

I think I would go for the color if I were buying again (it wasn't available in this model when I bought). It depends on your eyes, mine are having problems with low light and the color screen is easier to see. There is a back light and it helps a lot but I now have to find my glasses to see detail on it. I hate that!

A lot of people I know are raving about the Garmin Street Pilot 2620. http://www.garmin.com/products/sp2620/ Of course, these are people who are older, pretty affluent and mainly use it for travel within the US. It talks to you and I suppose that can be a plus if you are driving alone and don't have a navigator. Personally, I hate for machines to talk to me so I'd probably turn that off as I do the sound on computers. I think the main thing they like is the ease of setup and use, the color screen and the novelty of it correcting you when you make a wrong turn. It retails for about $1000!

I took the opportunity to play with a Map76C at a marine supply store in Marina del Rey a few weeks ago, I was really impressed. They let me take it outside and the color screen is a LOT more visible in sunlight than my green screen. They also have a much larger memory than the puny 8mg in mine. I think it is 115mg now, even on the non-color model. I have to load maps by area in mine, it can't hold even all of southern california. It can hold all of Mexico because the detail is much less. It retails for about what I spent on mine back in 01. I can't really justify getting another one so similar but if the filthy lucre fairy dumped a bunch of loot on me I'd certainly get one.

So, my advice is to go to a store and look at the ones you are considering in both color and b&w. Ask to take them out into the sunlight and check it out for readability. You'll get a better deal buying on the internet but it helps if you have had a chance to get your hands (and eyes) on them first.

Jonna - Mérida, Yucatán

toddmc

Jul 20, 2005, 6:08 AM

Post #9 of 9 (2069 views)

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Re: [sfmacaws] WAAS for GPS in Mexico

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Thanks for all your help and valuable advise.

Todd

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