Mexico Research - ordering some maps

Odd, it's rather difficult to find Maps of Mexico at book stores according to the people at Borders I spoke with today. There seems to be some sort of issue with the release of rights to publish maps of Mexico. Never really crossed my mind before that there might be some challenges with obtaining maps of forien countries.

Of course the internet is always my friend. With a couple of quick clicks I was able to locate an online store for maps of Baja California (the place I'd like to try out first for riding in Mexico).

Mexico Maps, travel maps and topograhpic sheets.

From this website I'm going to order the following maps:

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Baja California Almanac
ISBN: 0965866327
Publisher: Baja Almanac Publishers
Year Published: 2003

The "Perfect Companion for Traveling the Peninsula" is a map-guidebook of detailed topographic maps of the Baja Peninsula of Mexico bound in a paperback atlas. The Baja Almanac is the definitive resource for recreational activities including fishing, off-roading, dirt biking, island hopping, camping, kayaking, surfing, mountain biking, boardsailing, beachcombing, backpacking, hiking, nature viewing, real estate, exploring, collecting rocks and minerals and more. Also includes gas stations, hospitals, lighthouses, churches. Shows populated areas, highways and mileage charts, elevations and other features. Landforms (sand dunes, arroyos, mesas, points), populated areas and bodies of water are also indexed by state: Baja California (Norte) and Baja California Sur. Overview map of the peninsula provides a grid overlay for locating page numbers. Scale approximately 1:250,000. Distances in miles and kilometers.



Baja California Mexico

ISBN: 1553415663
Publisher: ITMB Publishing, Ltd.
Year Published: 2003

Topographic map with highways and roads. Text includes a brief description of what you encounter as you drive down the Baja Peninsula: towns, sites, accommodations, gas stations, physical descriptions— a travel guide. Also some historical information. The coastal region of mainland Mexico from Mexicali south to Guaymas is included on the map. Scale 1:1,000,000.

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I hope to have these maps here by the end of next week and start reviewing them. There is also a GPS product they sell ( Baja Expeditioner GPS Map for around $90 that is supposed to work with the following GPS devices:

Features 15 Mb of information. Full coverage from the US - Mexico Border to the southernmost tip of the peninsula at Cabo San Lucas.

Garmin receivers known to accept these maps:
- Etrex Legend and Vista (Color and B/W)
- Series GPSMAP 76 (Color and B/W)
- Series 60 (Color and B/W)
- Rhino mapping units (120 & 130)
- Garmin V
- 2610

This alone might be the factor that drives me to purchase one of the Garmin eTrex Legend or Vista units. Possibly a GPS 60C since they are very nicly sized and rugged untis but quite a bit more expensive. The research continues on those as well. I'll post more when I've had a chance to handle all of them and test the buttons out while wearing my gloves!

Update, August 15, 2005 - Over the weekend I purchased a Garmin GPSMAP 76 from my neighbor. It was new in box, sitting in his kitchen since last Christmas. It now how a new home and will be well abused.. er.. used.