Garmin GPS - where to buy

Has anyone seen Garmin GPS units sold anywhere locally? I need a new one.

I just checked Amazon and they can ship Garmin GPS units to Mexico.

It also appears that Garmin has a presence in Mexico:
http://www.gpsenmexico.com/automocion/nuvi

I know I can buy them at several places in Guadalajara. I want to know if anyone has seen them locally (in the Lake Chapala area). If not, I guess it's off to Best Buy. Costco MX used to have them but checking online shows that they carry another brand now (MIO?? or something). I want a Garmin.

Never seen them locally. Best Buy or Sam's in Guad. Last time i was at the newer Costco I saw Garmins, that was about a month or so.

Why a Garmin oh wise one?

I think Garmin has the best maps and are easiest to use. Also I have map software and all my waypoints from my old Garmin stored on my laptop so I can upload everything to the new one.

CB:

If you purchase a unit with the "LM" (lifetime maps) designation, make sure it is one with a memory card slot to increase the memory capabilities of the unit. It seems that each of these map updates keeps increasing in size. When I did my last update, tech support recommended a minimum of 2GB but after I asked about 4GB, they said that would be even better.

I see that BestBuy GDL has the Garmin 2455 LMT on sale. It appears to have a memory slot and usb connectivity.

Here is a good description of it:

http://www.tecnotoy.com/detalles_GPS-Navegador-Gps-Garmin-Nuvi-2455lmt-Mapas-De-Por-Vida-4-3,254,21,0.htm

As you are probably aware the "T" (traffic) designation means nothing in Mexico. Since I wasn't familiar with that particular model, I did some reading of reviews. Since this is a mid-level unit, some reviewers were willing to cut it some slack but there are repeated complaints about advertising showing up on the screen. Apparently these ads come in through the antenna built into the power cord and may not be an issue in Mexico?

[quote="CanuckBob"]I see that BestBuy GDL has the Garmin 2455 LMT on sale. It appears to have a memory slot and usb connectivity.

When I was in Canada recently I bought a Garmin Nuvi 2595LMT (lifetime maps) at Costco. Seems to me it was around $189 CDN. I love it! I was looking to buy the 2455 LMT but can't remember if Costco had that model. Not sure if the Costco in Guadalajara has the 2595 model but worth checking out. One of the features I really like is that it had Voice Command feature which allows me to access all sorts of categories, for instance, I just say "restaurants" and then a listing of types of restaurants comes up on the screen and I say "fast food" or "coffee shops" and then it lists those.

Just read on a webboard that it's going to be illegal in Jalisco to use a GPS unless it's a factory-installed one. As the chief navigator, I guess I'll just hold it out of sight and not attach it to the windshield.

Dont forget these things are now ilegal in jalisco. Be sure to put it out of sight, or risk getting pulled over.

I picked up the 2455 on sale at Best Buy this morning for $2900 pesos. It said it was marked down from $4600 pesos. It also has the voice command and hand free phone connectivity. It came with the NA 2014 maps so it will be interesting to see if some of the new bypasses and exits are on it.

hickton wrote:Dont forget these things are now ilegal in jalisco. Be sure to put it out of sight, or risk getting pulled over.

No they are not illegal just an offense to use one and be distracted.  According to the law changing your radio station can get you a ticket.

Distractions is the law not objects.

Z

I picked up one of those gps holders that hooks on the air vent on the dash so is out of sight until you are right beside the vehicle. I figure the new law is just another mordida opportunity for the local transitos. And just in time for the holiday season. Oh joy.

Bob are you liking the new GPS? Mine is 7 or 8 years old, I keep thinking I should get a new one before it breaks or runs out of memory but I finally know this one inside out LOL.

I like it. My new one is almost identical to my old one with a couple of added features and of course updated maps. I immediately noticed that the bypass to Zapotlenejo was on the new map but wasn't on my old one. I was also able to load all my waypoints from my laptop onto the new Garmin which was a real bonus as it took me 7 years to collect them.

Just how Garmin updates their Mexico maps seems to be a bit random.  For example, we first drove the 43D cuota headed north from Morelia crossing Lake Cutzeo in 2008:
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As of our last map udate in Feb. of 2013, there wasn't a highway crossing the lake.

The latest map is NA 2014. Maybe you need another update.

I update our 785T in the two weeks prior to each and every trip to Mexico. Actually, I am thinking very seriously that it is about time to upgrade our unit to one of the larger screens with new features?

CanuckBob wrote:The latest map is NA 2014. Maybe you need another update.

I've got the 2555LMT and it's been pretty good in Guadalajara except for the far end (NW) of Lázaro Cárdenas. I've got the latest updates and it still wants me to exit right before the new tunnel if going to the Puerto Vallarta - Tepic cuota (or the Galerías Plaza, for that matter).

I have a 3-4 yr, old nuvi 1450. It screwed up a couple of yrs. ago. I can't download maps (not enough space). Any brainiacs out there that wants to take on this project, or trade something for it.

Walter:

I took a quick look at the specs for your Nuvi 1450. You are in luck as your unit (GPS and not the other one) has a slot which will accept a Micro SD card. Only because this worked for me, I would recommend calling tech support at Garmin and ask what size card they recommend both for current update needs and where you think you will be down the road. From what I was told when updating our North American maps on our 785T, they recommended a minimum of 2GB and I chose a higher capacity.

Cheena, I put a card in it, still nogo. Maybe I will check with Tatyor, the guy at the tianguis. He is good at installing stuff.

Walter:

If you have access to Skype, Vonage or some other plan where you can call the US for free, I would recommend calling tech support. Sure you may be on hold for some time (I have found it best to call first thing in the AM) but I have found them to be extremely accommodating and helpful. They have even sent me special software patches when having an unusual problem. If you already have a card installed, I would suspect fragmented memory or too small of card capacity?