Garmin Nuvi 350 - Mexico Map Question
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Okay - I have a Nuvi 350 with the North America NT 2008 maps. I just assumed that "North America" would include Mexico - I guess I assumed wrong since someone told me that it didn't. And from what I have now read, it looks like it doesn't. I'm making a trip to Mexico for 2 weeks and want to get maps. Whats the easiest way? I have noticed a CD and a SD card for sale. If I buy the SD card, can I use it on more than one Garmin GPS? (I have a c340 and a Nuvi 350, what I'm asking is can I switch the card between the c340 and the Nuvi 350, or will it be locked to one specific GPS?). Also, I saw someone selling a used Garmin Mexico Map SD card, will it work on my unit or since it has been used in another GPS, will it not work in mine? Sorry if these questions are simple, but I'm relatively new to the whole map thing on the GPS. Thanks!
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Unfortunately, the preloaded North America maps do not include details for Mexico.
If you want/need detailed maps, you will need to purchase them or find free ones.
Here are some options.
http://www8.garmin.com/cartography/mapSource/citynavntmexico...
http://www.mexicomaps.com/
http://www.gpsinformation.org/jack/cruise/cruise-a.html
http://mapcenter2.cgpsmapper.com/maplist.php?country=142
If you get the preloaded SD card from Garmin, it can be used with more than one GPS unit. I cannot, however, be used with MapSource on a computer. The data also cannot be copied to another card. The maps are locked to the card, but otherwise do not need an unlock code to be used with a GPS unit.
Mexico is included with North America
I have a Nuvi 350 with 2008 and just upgraded to 2009 maps. Both map sets include Mexico, Cuba, Dominican Republic. The map cuts off on a east-west line just south of Jamaica.
Mexico maps
I have a Nuvi 350 with 2008 and just upgraded to 2009 maps. Both map sets include Mexico, Cuba, Dominican Republic. The map cuts off on a east-west line just south of Jamaica.
I haven't seen anywhere in my unit that indicates that it has anything other than US, Canada, and Puerto Rico. I need Mexico for a 2 week long business trip that I will be taking that starts in a week or so. Work won't pay for the map update, so I have to purchase it myself. I'm just trying to figure out what I need to buy and how to buy it the most cost effectively.
Garmin c340 & Nuvi 350
Main Roads only
I haven't seen anywhere in my unit that indicates that it has anything other than US, Canada, and Puerto Rico.
Do a city search for OAXACA. Then zoom way out. There are major highways only, but it will find Oaxaca Mexico. For city-level streets, you'll probably have to buy a regional map.
Mexico Maps
The references provided by MM are very good, especially the MexicoGPSAtlas 1.2, which I have. The routing works fine.
The US Rep is Mark Walker who provides same day exemplary service:
Mark Walker
World Map Source / Mexico Maps
3920 Maricopa Drive
Santa Barbara CA 93110
US
805-687-1011 TEL/CEL
805-687-0409 FAX
mwalker@mexicomaps.com
http://www.mexicomaps.com
You can order a specific area map or the complete map for a small add'l fee. Additional unlock codes are available at $35 for an area/$55 for the atlas.
I use MapSource for the poi's and MapInstall to load the SD card - the Atlas map takes about 256mb on the SD card.
... you can check out any time you like but you can never leave...
Driving in Mexico
Okay - I have a Nuvi 350 with the North America NT 2008 maps. I just assumed that "North America" would include Mexico - I guess I assumed wrong since someone told me that it didn't. And from what I have now read, it looks like it doesn't. I'm making a trip to Mexico for 2 weeks and want to get maps. Whats the easiest way? I have noticed a CD and a SD card for sale. If I buy the SD card, can I use it on more than one Garmin GPS? (I have a c340 and a Nuvi 350, what I'm asking is can I switch the card between the c340 and the Nuvi 350, or will it be locked to one specific GPS?). Also, I saw someone selling a used Garmin Mexico Map SD card, will it work on my unit or since it has been used in another GPS, will it not work in mine? Sorry if these questions are simple, but I'm relatively new to the whole map thing on the GPS. Thanks!
Have you ever driven in Mexico before? Are you sure you want to do this?
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Never in the parts that I am traveling to. But I'll be with someone who has, I just want the maps just in case. Thanks!
Garmin c340 & Nuvi 350
Purchased Garmin Mexico Maps
I purchased the Garmin Mexico Maps on SD card and I just arrived in Mexico today. I have to admit, I was pretty disappointed when I couldn't find addresses in Saltillo. I guess when they say limited coverage, it is really limited.
Garmin c340 & Nuvi 350
Limited poi's for MX
I usually attempt to plan ahead for my MX trips using the resources such as Google Earth because of the small poi database distributed with the maps, but even the supplemental resources such as Google Earth and Google maps are limited.
Sharing poi's on this site may be the best way of supplementing the poi databases for travelers.
... you can check out any time you like but you can never leave...
POI's From SD Card?
I usually attempt to plan ahead for my MX trips using the resources such as Google Earth because of the small poi database distributed with the maps, but even the supplemental resources such as Google Earth and Google maps are limited.
Sharing poi's on this site may be the best way of supplementing the poi databases for travelers.
That just gave me an idea, I am wondering if I can get the Lat/Long coordinated for the places I am going in Mexico and put them in a POI file and load them onto my Garmin Nuvi 350 using an SD card? (I left my USB cable at home, so I can't transfer the information to the Nuvi using the regular way I normally do it, but wondering if there is a way of doing it using an SD card? Or is there a way of entering coordinates into the Nuvi directly from the screen???
Garmin c340 & Nuvi 350
Think I figured it out
I usually attempt to plan ahead for my MX trips using the resources such as Google Earth because of the small poi database distributed with the maps, but even the supplemental resources such as Google Earth and Google maps are limited.
Sharing poi's on this site may be the best way of supplementing the poi databases for travelers.
That just gave me an idea, I am wondering if I can get the Lat/Long coordinated for the places I am going in Mexico and put them in a POI file and load them onto my Garmin Nuvi 350 using an SD card? (I left my USB cable at home, so I can't transfer the information to the Nuvi using the regular way I normally do it, but wondering if there is a way of doing it using an SD card? Or is there a way of entering coordinates into the Nuvi directly from the screen???
I looked and my Nuvi does have a way of entering the coordinates, but is there a way of finding Lat/Long if you know the address? Google Earth can get me the location of the city where most of the places I am going but then I have to enter a category to get a list of businesses and search though those, etc. Is there a way of using the address?
Garmin c340 & Nuvi 350
Some variances between Google Earth and base maps
I found variances in Google Earth where the sat views differ slightly from the base maps (in Europe, GE overlays the sat maps with the base map so coordinates are easily adjusted.)
I pick out the locations and enter them as poi's, and then import them into Map Source to determine those poi's that require adjustment.
If the location is not determinable in GE, I usually try to stick to closest intersections on a basemap, and find the actual address from there.
... you can check out any time you like but you can never leave...
Google Earth
Has enyone noticed that the latest version of Google Eartn doesn't have the same level of clarity that the previous one did?