Navigation systems in Mexico

So instead of just going to Cosco and the airport I am starting to drive in Guad. I go with friends and we use a combination of map and A Tom Tom
system to find our way around.  I understand a map is not enough especially when your best half gets sick reading in a car. So we want to buy a
removable navigation system for our car so we can get around Guad. Can you folks help me with the following questions.

Do they have navigation software that runs on a Ipad or Windows Pad ?  I imagine space to store maps means no but if we could get a tablet and
a navigation system in one box that would be nice. In other words it would be very nice to go on vacation and read email and such on the same
device that does our navigation. Maybe also Spanish translation software on the IPad or winpad.

Any suggestions on what kind?  Garmin or Tom Tom for example

Any reasons to spend extra money for certain features or extra memory/ disk space?

One brands map so much better than others or does more updates?

Cost problems for updates?  Is cost an issue to keep it updated.

Is this a throwaway technology and will it end up with my Palm 5 in a Drawer in a year and 1/2? How long do these last.

Any hybrid devices that combine other electronics like language translation or such?

Look for type of media issues like buy SD instead of Micro SD?  

Any limits on card sizes for certain brands or such?


Z

Have you considered getting a smartphone?  My Samsung Galaxy S3 does just about everything.  It has GPS with Google Earth, Google translation and Google Maps.you can swap batteries when needed.  You can get 64 gigabytes of extra memory.  You can get a windshield mount if you look for it.

For navigation in Mexico I use a Garmin GPS or a Google Nexus 7 tablet. I prefer the Google tablet as it is generally more accurate, has more secondary roads via google maps and is easier to use. The Nexus 7 is wi-fi only but it is very easy to download google map sections and the built in gps works without a wi-fi connection. The Nexus also supports several language translation apps that work with no wi-fi.

Just my opinion!

There is a reason that the various units have descriptive names - GPS, Laptop, Tablets, and Smartphones. For example, are they called Smartphone GPS? Or are they called Smartphone Substitute Cameras?

Just one person's opinion based upon a fair amount of experience with one brand (Garmin) and reading user's experience with another brand (TomTom) - I am of the opinion that we made the right choice going with Garmin. We make sure we have the latest Garmin update prior to a Mexico trip and I would probably stake our GPS experiences dating back to 2008 to virtually 70 to 90% of the experienced Mexico travelers.

I am downloading specific Google Maps and trip routes to our Kindle Fire HD for our upcoming Sept. trip. I will use my Nikon for still photos, use my Flip Video Cam for videos taken through the windshield and use our JVC Video Cam for its designed purpose.

For those who have a "smartphone" that does everything, I am happy that it saves you money on toilet paper!

So CG you are saying the dedicated devices are better and you prefer Garmin over Tom Tom
correct?

To bad I really get sick of buying all these dedicated devices.

Z

Just for my way of thinking and everyone is welcome to their own opinions and decisions since they are the ones using a device or devices! I don't have any direct experience comparing the performance of Tom Tom versus Garmin but everyone I know that has had a Tom Tom even using NOB has tossed in the garbage.

Our Garmin has been used for well over 10K+ miles of driving in Mexico and with updated maps has improved each year.

CheenaGringo wrote:Just for my way of thinking and everyone is welcome to their own opinions and decisions since they are the ones using a device or devices!  I don't have any direct experience comparing the performance of Tom Tom versus Garmin but everyone I know that has had a Tom Tom even using NOB has tossed in the garbage.

Our Garmin has been used for well over 10K+ miles of driving in Mexico and with updated maps has improved each year.

 No that is the kind of data I wanted.  We were using a Tom Tom seemed a little bit slow
and flaky sometimes but it worked we got to where we needed to be.

Thanks
Z

One of the biggest challenges I have ever thrown at our Garmin was directing us from our hotel in centro Oaxaca City to aresidential address in Teotitlan de Valle.  I made a video of the drive and while we did do an exploratory tour of the main street, when it came time to find the residential address located about 15 to 20 blocks from the main street, it got us there.  You can see from the following video that we were on some very primitive streets towards the end:

Google maps once sent us in Mazatlan to the middle of some boondocks when all we wanted
to find was the Azteca in the golden triangle.  A local Expat lead us back to where we were
suppose to be.  So much for trusting Google maps.

Z

We have found errors in Guia Roja maps too.  Whether one is NOB or SOB, you still need to have a clue where you are and where you want to go.  One has to know the limitations of whatever tool they are using and be smart enough not to follow blindly by turning the wrong way on a one way street.  Since we first purchased the Garmin, the only times I have run into trouble or difficulty is when I didn't believe the GPS.  Hell of a note when that small box is smarter than you are!  Get over it and toss your ego to the side!

Zed,

If it's any consolation, I've been very happy with my TomTom. Takes it a while to connect sometimes, though.

D.

Eldergeek wrote:Zed,

If it's any consolation, I've been very happy with my TomTom. Takes it a while to connect sometimes, though.

D.

 Had a tom tom up north. Left it there as I found it slow compared to a Garmin. The Tom Tom was OK but I want something better.

Thanks for the info.

Z

Almost all Garmins now come with free lifetime map updates (North America) including Mexico.