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Garmin in Mexico - 3/9/2013 3:57:01 PM

Mike

Posts: 65
Joined: 11/18/2004
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Status: offline

We are going to be in Akumal a couple months this summer and are considering getting a Mexico Map download for the Garmin. We will have a car, have a number of our children visiting for a week or so at a time during the two months, and plan to get out to some places we have not visited. I have all of Mapchicks's maps, a Mexico road atlas, and a Yucatan map. But, it is nice to have turn by turn instructions especially in town.

Has anyone used the Mexico map module (I believe it is called City Navigator Mexico) and was it worthwhile? Thanks.

Post #: 1

RE: Garmin in Mexico - 3/9/2013 5:56:14 PM

panesh

Posts: 1470
Joined: 11/27/2009
From: San Rafael, CA
Status: offline

Finding your way around Mexico is half of the fun.

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RE: Garmin in Mexico - 3/9/2013 6:37:24 PM

2BVI

Posts: 730
Joined: 5/17/2008
From: Bayfield, WI
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For me, technology will never replace instincts and a map.

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RE: Garmin in Mexico - 3/9/2013 11:13:15 PM

snorkelphile

Posts: 184
Joined: 8/21/2007
From: Portland, OR and Chan Chemuyil
Status: offline

We did download it and it has all the local roads, and a few restaurants and attractions. We find it moderately useful. But there is no risk of getting lost, so it is more entertainment than anything.

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RE: Garmin in Mexico - 3/10/2013 5:48:57 AM

Buggs

Posts: 813
Joined: 7/30/2006
From: Baltimore, Maryland
Status: offline

We usually drive down to Xcalak, and have had no issues - frankly, because there are not all that many roads.

The only issue that we did have was driving thru Felipe Carrillo Puerto - - - and most of that was caused by the construction of the new bypass & and significant city growth over the last four years.
Next February we are planning a trip that includes Palenque and San Cristobal de la Casis (both in Chiapas).....and we're thinking about getting one for that trip.
If you do decide to down load it & use it - please post how it worked for you! DW & I would appreciate it!

Post #: 5

RE: Garmin in Mexico - 3/10/2013 12:05:26 PM

Read!

Posts: 1979
Joined: 4/20/2006
From: Western North Carolina
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Much depends on how frequently it is updated. One time here at home the GPS unit didn't have the new bypass on board, it thought we were off-roading and kept trying to get us back on the old road.
What a hoot!
Mas aventuras, y'all!!
Richard, Mr. Read!

Post #: 6

RE: Garmin in Mexico - 3/10/2013 1:08:58 PM

panesh

Posts: 1470
Joined: 11/27/2009
From: San Rafael, CA
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Watching a GPS instead of where you are going would be more hazardous than just driving.
With all of the one way streets and everything else I can't see a Garmin being that accurate. It's really easy to get around. we've driven thousands of miles through the Yucatan and leave the Garmin at home. It's jut another thing to have to deal with. I don't recall cigarette lighters in the rental cars anyway.
We're driving to Guatemala in a few weeks and feel no need for anything but common sense and a map.

< Message edited by panesh -- 3/10/2013 1:12:09 PM >

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RE: Garmin in Mexico - 3/10/2013 7:48:05 PM

Whale

Posts: 5533
Joined: 10/25/2004
From: Littleton, Colorado
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The Garmin Mexico maps work great. However there are a few things that don't work as well as in the US. For example, there are no speed limits listed on many roads, most of the one way streets in the towns are not noted as one way and one time we were following a secondary road which suddenly became a dirt trail through the jungle. We just made a right turn, went to the next road East and all was well.

It was very comforting to have the GPS on the back roads from Mayapan to Uxmal and it was a lifesaver in downtown Merida. We also had maps but it's easier and less distracting to follow the GPS. The ETAs were also right on. Get the Mexico maps as well as paper maps, better safe than sorry and you won't be sorry.

We have used them the last four trips all over Q. Roo, the Yucatan and Chiapas and now would be "lost" without them.

< Message edited by Whale -- 3/10/2013 7:53:30 PM >

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RE: Garmin in Mexico - 3/11/2013 8:11:47 AM

jlooneyb

Posts: 307
Joined: 10/15/2009
Status: offline

WE just used it to get to our Hotel in Merida. For that it was useful. Everything else is so cut and dry there to me. Like the above mentioned post, if you are going through cities, it's worthwhile. Otherwise no. But my husband who is not so good at direction felt comforted having it.

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Barbara

Post #: 9

RE: Garmin in Mexico - 3/11/2013 11:35:51 AM

panesh

Posts: 1470
Joined: 11/27/2009
From: San Rafael, CA
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Last year we drove from Cancun to Akumal to Calakmul to Oxkutzcab to Merida to Holca then to Cancun. No GPS. Everyone should travel with what they need to be comfortable.
The best source of directions was the locals. They saved us about four to six hours one day, telling us to take this small road from Xpujil to Ruta Puc. The drive was really cool. We stopped in a lot of little towns and watched a soccer game for a while. This time we go to Guatemala and the Garmin stays home. If we get lost, I'm sure we can be pointed in the right direction. We need the space. We travel light. We are hoping to do this three week trip with one suitcase, a backpack and a collapsible cooler and one dive bag with two sets of snorkle stuff.

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RE: Garmin in Mexico - 3/11/2013 8:04:22 PM

eanders

Posts: 145
Joined: 9/13/2007
From: Boston
Status: offline

When I bought maps in 2009, the 2 players were Garmin and Bicimapas, and the latter was cheaper and better reviewed. A quick search suggests that they are still the 2 reigning choices, though I've no direct experience to know which which is better. In reality, I've always mostly dead-reckoned in conjunction with my old favorite - paper maps ;-)

I suspect that you'll be fine with either choice. I got my mapset through mexicomaps.com, who send me occasional upgrade reminders. I think that the best use of the GPS is the POI (points of interest) database, assuming that it's worthwhile for where you are - "Hey, any ruins nearby? Then, where can we eat?"

Post #: 11