General:
The Garmin City Navigator Mexico NT 2008 comes on a microSD Card (with an SD adapter) or CD, and is about $110.  Check for latest discount prices (HERE).  The Garmin maps are much improved over their former City Select Mexico NT map with 131,000 KB of data as compared to 12,689KB in the earlier version. The microSD card will apparently work on any Garmin unit that supports either an SD or microSD card and do not require an unlock code.  For this review we used a Garmin nuvi 760 for the screen shots.  The BiciMapas map can be bought (HERE) for $97.

Both the Garmin and BiciMapas maps will autoroute.  Garmin's Mexico NT 2008 maps have detailed coverage of all the cities in Mexico we checked.  These maps include points of interest for: food and drink, lodging, attractions, entertainment, shopping, emergency services and more.  These maps will automatically create point-to-point routes on compatible Garmin GPS units.

At present, the Garmin maps now have more street detail than the BiciMapas maps.  However, BiciMapas maps include contour lines (check the Copper Canyon below).  Contours are provided at 50 meter (164 Ft) intervals for the Baja Peninsula and 100 meter (328 Ft) intervals for the remainder of the country.  The Garmin City Navigator Mexico NT maps are not compatible with all Garmin units, such as the 2610, Quest, 60C, 76C, etc.  The BiciMapas map should be compatible with these units.  To see a review of the original Garmin City Select Mexico NT maps as compared to BiciMapas Mexico GPS Atlas v1, click (HERE).

Added POIs for  Camping/Trailer Park locations all over the country. This is a feature that has been asked for by outdoor enthusiasts.   Over 2000 gas stations along the highways network and within the cities.  A new coast line definition is included bringing a more accurate representation.  During the life of the 2008 version, all updates will be for free to registered users.   National and international boundaries, lakes, parkas, rivers, islands, national parks, and Biosphere Reserves.   Contour lines at 50 meter intervals in Baja and 100 meters in the remainder of the country.

This new version ($137.50) is not compatible with previous releases and will require a new unlock key. For customers with version 2007, there is an upgrade option for $ 37.00 USD.

Street Search in Mexico:
The address system in Mexico is different in some aspects to the one used in the USA. The Garmin receivers use the American system and some adaptations for street search were made to work better.  BiciMapas is working on a detailed visual aid to do street search which they will publish soon.  Meanwhile use this general procedure based on your GPS receiver model:

nuvi and StreetPilots:
1. Click "Address"
2.  Select "Mexico" when asked for the country
3.  Select "Search all"
4. When asked for the number, enter any number as the data base does not include house numbering yet.
5. All the choices with that name will show. Select the street you are looking for based on the city being searched.

Handheld models (series 60, 76, Quest, Etrex, etc.)
1. Select "Address"
2. Enter a house number. Any number, as our data base does not include house numbering yet
3. Enter the street name and select the one you are looking for from the list.
4. All the options with that name will show. Select the one you are looking for based on the city.

PURCHASE:
In order to purchase the maps, you will need to give the vendor your unit internal ID number and verify that you have either MapSource or Trip & Waypoint Manager (obtainable from the vendor).  Then you will receive a receipt, a download link, and an unlock code for the map.

NOTES:
1. The Mexico GPS Atlas maps require a MapSource map or MapSource Trip & Waypoint Manager (around $30) to load the maps into your GPS receiver.  If you have a receiver that does not come with a DVD of a MapSource map, you will need this additional software.  Some units  with pre-installed maps come without a DVD of the maps,  such as a Nuvi or the StreetPilot cXXX series.  However,  customers with US (only) maps can request that Garmin send them a DVD copy of their installed map which will include the MapSource program.
2. With the BiciMapas maps, you have a map that can also be displayed on MapSource (along with your GPS data) -unlike the Garmin Mexico NT maps, which cannot be shown on a PC screen.
3. In this review we do not have any recorded GPS data to show on the Detailed Coverage areas of the Garmin Mexico maps.

A web site of our complete Mexico trip in 2002 can be found (HERE).