Garmin 660 any one use one in Costa Rica?
March 25th, 2010 | 
Author: Downloaded a map from Garmin for my 660 GPS…They recommended an outfit in Florida……anyone use a Garmin down there?…….On my way next Friday for the month of February……..
Without knowing what you want the GPS for (driving, trail biking or hiking etc) I understand from a friend in CR who does a lot of tail biking, that the Garmin CR map is one that a few of his biking buddies use. However, keep in mind, they may be "somewhat" accurate in position (GPS) but not in direction if you know what I mean.
Driving in CR is a experience by itself. My friend informs me that it is not uncommon for the GPS to tell you to turn right, and the next thing you know you are heading the wrong way down a one-way street. Or it tells you, you are on a road/trail, where in fact you are standing in the middle of a stream. Road and trail conditions change what seems like daily, moreso when it rains. The recent earthquake made many detours that are and will not be programmed in the GPS. And there are many roads trails that are a must to take to get to point A to B that are also not programmed in the GPS.
If you are planning to use it for driving, you should be Okay, however if you are planning it for trail bike or hike, common sense tells you it is always best to get a local map and/or hire a guide.
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Posted in costa rica map
Without knowing what you want the GPS for (driving, trail biking or hiking etc) I understand from a friend in CR who does a lot of tail biking, that the Garmin CR map is one that a few of his biking buddies use. However, keep in mind, they may be "somewhat" accurate in position (GPS) but not in direction if you know what I mean.
Driving in CR is a experience by itself. My friend informs me that it is not uncommon for the GPS to tell you to turn right, and the next thing you know you are heading the wrong way down a one-way street. Or it tells you, you are on a road/trail, where in fact you are standing in the middle of a stream. Road and trail conditions change what seems like daily, moreso when it rains. The recent earthquake made many detours that are and will not be programmed in the GPS. And there are many roads trails that are a must to take to get to point A to B that are also not programmed in the GPS.
If you are planning to use it for driving, you should be Okay, however if you are planning it for trail bike or hike, common sense tells you it is always best to get a local map and/or hire a guide.
References :
Tico Times Directory
http://www.ticotimes.com
Buenas dias Kapn,
Like many Costa Rica visitors and people that have made the move to Costa Rica, finding my way around the twisting, turning and unmarked Costa Rica roads was a daunting task. Although I do enjoy many of the discoveries that come with making a wrong turn … getting from point A to point B in a timely manner can become a priority when the destination is a business appointment, a child needing to be picked up from school, etc.
In order to put away my marginally effective Costa Rica paper road map and car compass, I decided to purchase a GPS unit loaded with a comprehensive digital road map of Costa Rica. I thought this would be easy to find given today’s technology, but once again – everything Costa Rica takes research and time. But I am happy to report success! Here is what I ended up with:
* GPS Unit: Garmin Nuvi 360 (www.Garmin.com)
* GPS Map: NavSat EzFind Costa Rica Map
Note: Garmin does not have or support any Costa Rica map at the time of this writing. NavSat is a Costa Rica company that makes a great map compatible with many GPS devices.
I was pleased with the map installation service and knowledge provided by SATEC here in Costa Rica. SATEC is an authorized Garmin and NavSat retailer with offices in Guadalupe, Curridabat, Tres Ríos and Escazú.
Once loaded, the Garmin Nuvi 360 and NavSat EzFind Map worked extremely well together. The EzFind Costa Rica map comes pre-loaded with extensive points of interest, stores, banks, ATM’s, restaurants, hotels, bars, pharmacies, etc., etc., etc. Perfect for any Costa Rica traveler or in-country driver.
The Garmin Nuvi 360 touch screen mapping feature is intuitive and easy to use. Other than the occasional street that does not go through or the infrequent left turn that cannot be made because of right turn only restrictions, the Gamin GPS unit and EzFind map get you where you are going. If you do stray off course, the GPS quickly recalculates on how to best get you back on track.
Important Note: People come to Costa Rica to enjoy the rich culture and scenery. Sticking to the main roads and staring at an electronic device while exploring Costa Rica is a "contradicción en los objetivos" -or- ‘contradiction in objectives’.
Turn-off the GPS and get lost – frequently! You’ll be glad you did … while having the comfort of knowing when it’s time to make that flight or dinner appointment you can touch the screen and be on your way.
References :
NavSat EzFind Costa Rica Map: http://www.NavSatCR.com
SATEC Garmin Authorized Reseller/Servicer: http://www.SatecSA.com
How to Navigate Costa Rica by Car: http://costaricablogger.com/2008/06/06/how-to-navigate-costa-rica-by-car–with-a-gps-device-and-costa-rica-digital-map-of-course.aspx
Costa Rica Blogger: http://www.CostaRicaBlogger.com