TalkBaja.com » Baja Mexico Forums » General Discussion

I saw some Garmin GPS recommendations a few months ago. I think it was posted by DavidK, but I can't locate the thread in the search engine.

There was some discussion on which units were best for Mexico.

But anyway, there must be a few known models that are best for accuracy and map downloads. Thanks in advance.

TomTom has recently updated their available maps to now include Mexico. I downloaded it to mine and have found it to be quite good for the most part here in Baja. Our little dirt road that runs by in front of the house, 15 miles off the pavement is even mapped!

One thing I really like about TomTom is that nit has a feature where you can update the map yourself with street names, etc and even mark waypoints to submit unmapped roads for future map updates...

Originally Posted by BajaGringo

TomTom has recently updated their available maps to now include Mexico. I downloaded it to mine and have found it to be quite good for the most part here in Baja. Our little dirt road that runs by in front of the house, 15 miles off the pavement is even mapped!

One thing I really like about TomTom is that nit has a feature where you can update the map yourself with street names, etc and even mark waypoints to submit unmapped roads for future map updates...

Already loaded in? What model is it Ron?

Originally Posted by David K

Already loaded in? What model is it Ron?

I have the GO720 model that I bought a few years ago. The unit has what is called a map corrections feature that allows you to correct / add to the TomTom map you are following. The next time you connect the GPS to the PC to update it uploads your corrections.

Street names / changes will show on your device immediately after you mark them. Mapping / adding new streets that were previously not on the map will be added the next time TomTom updates after they have verified your submission and you download the update.

They really do make the update process quite nice compared to other units I have seen. You can find gas stations, ATM´s and restaurants all down Baja on this map/unit and so far I have found it to be quite accurate with a few exceptions.

My only regret with this unit is that I wish it had a 6¨ screen.

Originally Posted by BajaGringo

I have the GO720 model that I bought a few years ago. The unit has what is called a map corrections feature that allows you to correct / add to the TomTom map you are following. The next time you connect the GPS to the PC to update it uploads your corrections.

Street names / changes will show on your device immediately after you mark them. Mapping / adding new streets that were previously not on the map will be added the next time TomTom updates after they have verified your submission and you download the update.

They really do make the update process quite nice compared to other units I have seen. You can find gas stations, ATM´s and restaurants all down Baja on this map/unit and so far I have found it to be quite accurate with a few exceptions.

My only regret with this unit is that I wish it had a 6¨ screen.

Can you post a sample(s) of the Baja map ?

Will be spending the afternoon with forum member Islander but will do once I have the chance...

What about other products beside TomTom? CNET Review:

The good: The TomTom GO 720 includes new features that give you access to up-to-date maps and safety information in case of emergencies. The sleek 720 also offers text-to-speech functionality, integrated Bluetooth, and multimedia capabilities.
The bad: The GO 720 is only compatible with a small number of Bluetooth-enabled phones, and there are no external volume controls.

overall a good choice at about $240 at Amazon if you have Bluetooth.

What about Garmin models for Baja? The problem we're having is TOO MANY CHOICES and don't know what is important in the long run, besides facility to download maps. And as BajaGringo says, a big screen.

Originally Posted by WendyandRoss

What about other products beside TomTom? CNET Review:

The good: The TomTom GO 720 includes new features that give you access to up-to-date maps and safety information in case of emergencies. The sleek 720 also offers text-to-speech functionality, integrated Bluetooth, and multimedia capabilities.
The bad: The GO 720 is only compatible with a small number of Bluetooth-enabled phones, and there are no external volume controls.

overall a good choice at about $240 at Amazon if you have Bluetooth.

What about Garmin models for Baja? The problem we're having is TOO MANY CHOICES and don't know what is important in the long run, besides facility to download maps. And as BajaGringo says, a big screen.

The Garmins can be uploaded with Baja maps from LBMaps.com

$100 bucks for the Tomtom GO 720 - not bad

TomTom GO 720 4.3 in. Car GPS Receiver | Price comparison and reviews at best-deal.com

I've been reading reviews for about 8 solid hours now and I can hardly move.

What bothered me about all the reviews were the complaints about slow speed, and sluggish recalculating, and missing turns, etc. Most of the bad reviews were for garmin.

So when Bob H noted that the TomTom go720 was available at good prices, I checked it out. It looks like a really good unit. With necessary basic features. And the Mexico maps will have all BajaGringo's updates.

The newer go 730 doesn't advertise a usb connection which seems odd since the go 720 does. Anyway I'm still "recalculating".

Maybe cuz I've been blessed with a preternatural sense of direction, I have never been lost. Seriously, despite the fact that I've traveled all over the globe. So, from my unusual perspective, I view the GPS stuff as more entertainment than anything else. Mi esposa got a GPS from her son last year. I found it to be distracting while I was driving, simply because it was sitting prominently on the dash.

So, hit me with your best shot. I still think that by and large, GPS for the masses is little more than entertainment.

Originally Posted by Bajahowodd

Maybe cuz I've been blessed with a preternatural sense of direction, I have never been lost. Seriously, despite the fact that I've traveled all over the globe. So, from my unusual perspective, I view the GPS stuff as more entertainment than anything else. Mi esposa got a GPS from her son last year. I found it to be distracting while I was driving, simply because it was sitting prominently on the dash.

So, hit me with your best shot. I still think that by and large, GPS for the masses is little more than entertainment.

I totaly agree for me it would take the adventure out of going somewhere .But agian there is that kind of people that have to carry a rock in theie pocket so they will know right from left.

Originally Posted by Bajahowodd

So, hit me with your best shot. I still think that by and large, GPS for the masses is little more than entertainment.

And great entertainment for a 4100 km road trip. Especially when you can plug all your jazz recordings into the mp3 thingy, put them on shuffle and then chill.

The gps also tells you where the closest gas station is. And what sights you could be seeing as you blaze pass on the interstates.

It would have limited or no value if you didn't travel.

I personaly logged over 2 million miles in a big truck and prior to that always a wanderer, never KNEW what a gps was.I have been traveling in Baja for 10 years or better and lived here for 7 Old ways are hard to break I refused to get a a.t.m card for many years.now i cant imagine living without one. Quite a few years ago I decided I wanted to do Realestate and a computer became a necessity.now its a obsession
Maybee some day g.p.s. will fit in there as as traveling thats always ben my game It has always been about the journer for me the destination has never been that important.

Originally Posted by J.P.

Old ways are hard to break ...
Maybee some day g.p.s. will fit in there as as traveling thats always ben my game It has always been about the journer for me the destination has never been that important.

We are travellers too and managed many 1000's of miles before we ever heard of gps. Now we have children and grandchildren who visit us and rave about what they haven't missed because the gps gave them points of interest (POI's) they didn't know about. We have some places on our upcoming trip through Utah that we don't want to miss, but I'm pretty sure there are plenty of others off the beaten track.
And imagine us with an mp3!!!
It took us ages to figure out how to get our cd's onto it.

I use my TomTom mainly when north of the border as at times I need to find addresses in larger metropolitan areas and I hate driving around in circles. Another feature I really like about my TomTom is the bluetooth capability. It converts my phone into a handsfree unit and even downloads my phonebook so it keeps me out of trouble on SoCal freeways...

Originally Posted by BajaGringo

I use my TomTom mainly when north of the border as at times I need to find addresses in larger metropolitan areas and I hate driving around in circles. Another feature I really like about my TomTom is the bluetooth capability. It converts my phone into a handsfree unit and even downloads my phonebook so it keeps me out of trouble on SoCal freeways...

Driving around in big citys without good directions is probably one of the most stressfull things i ever did . You know how agervating it can be in a car just think how it would be in a 75ft long truck

Especially in LA where one wrong turn can easily cost you an hour or more of lost time when traffic is bad...

We had a Tomtom unit borrowed from a friend of ours on our last trip in Southern Germany and Eastern France. It was just fantastic. Sometimes roads close and the GPS unit will guide you back to normality by recalculating the route. A must when traveling unknown routes/areas.