Will the Baja GPS Guidebooks work with my GPS? 

• Yes:  If you are hand punching in the waypoints, building the routes, and navigating, ANY GPS can be used with the Baja GPS Guidebooks as long as it hold at least one route and 50 waypoints.  If you plan to purchase the guidebook route CD's so that you can upload to the GPS, you will need a GPS with upload/download capability (either a USB or 9pin data cable) and Fugawi Software.

Will Fugawi Software work with my GPS? 

• Fugawi Software currently works with all Garmin and Magellan GPS Units.  Other GPS's that are compatible are: Humminbird Matrix 700 series & 900 series, Lowrance/Eagle, Northstar 6000, Furuno, Silva/Brunton, Raymarine serial/flash data transfer.

How exactly does the guidebook work?  And, why should I use it? 

• A map with all the trails we offer comes with the guidebook.  To start, you will view this map and link each 'leg' (from gas to gas locations) to design the route you want with the number of days you'll ride.  Each route has a name like FLGN (San Felipe to Gonzaga).  Pull the course description charts from the guidebook correlating with each name; the course description charts have waypoint names, miles, descriptions & directions, and latitude/longitude coordinates.  Once your routes for the trip are organized, you have the choice of either hand punching in all the waypoints from each route to your GPS and making the routes for navigation OR purchasing Fugawi Software and the Fugawi Route CD for uploading the routes in seconds- quickly and more importantly: accurately.  The Baja GPS Guidebook course description sheets fit in the 5X7 course description holder offered under "Off-road Products" so that you can easily reference them on the fly.  Activate the route you want to ride, follow the arrow in the compass page to each waypoint, and when you arrive at each waypoint, the GPS will show you have arrived (i.e. at waypoint FL12) so you can read the course description chart (i.e. that says FL12:  T - Right on the dirt road - there is a huge boulder on your left) which will correlate with the GPS arrow pointing to the next waypoint in the route to the Right.  We made it safe, accurate, and simple for anyone to navigate.  And guess what?  It's really fun.
• We designed the Baja GPS Guidebook to keep you on fun trails and away from dangerous areas and private property. There are many hazards in Baja from Marijuana plantations (dangerous guards) to sensitive areas and private properties where off-roaders are not wanted.  We research each area, warn you of sink-holes/blind cliffs, & other hazards and talk with ranchers and home owners to keep the peace.  Be aware that things change.  Since 1999, 1 of our routes was gated due to a new property, but none have been closed to due off-road related traffic.  Exploring is fun, but our trails will offer you an opportunity to ride areas you may have never known, that keep you safe, and add a little treasure hunt fun (GPS) while navigating you from gas location to gas location.  We offer information you need to know like route ratings, total miles, warnings, special tips, and start and end location information as well as general information on Baja, GPS, and hospitals.  The Baja GPS Guidebook allows you to take a safe self-guided tour on trails of which some are not well known.  Enjoy!

My GPS keeps turning off as I off-road, how do I fix this? Click here for a printable version

When your GPS continues to shut off during use, it�s what I call the "giggle effect".  The culprit is that the size of the batteries are manufactured inconsistently (some smaller and some larger in width and length).  With constant vibration, your batteries giggle inside the compartment building up carbon between the contacts.  This build up eventually cuts off your power source.  You can turn it back on, but once the contacts have carbon on them, it will continue to shut down.  There are a few things you can do to remedy this situation depending on the kind of compartment on the GPS. 

1.  Quickest: try cleaning the ends of the batteries (fine grain sand paper in your tire patch kit works nicely); then replace the batteries in the opposite position than then came out.

• 2. If your GPS has a slot compartment: put electric tape around each battery (not overlapping) so that they slide back in the compartment snug (don't force it down or you'll never get them out).  Do that to each battery and your problem is gone (I pre-tape new batteries prior to each trip so the problem never exists).

• 3.  With a cover compartment with little spiral springs:  If you tear off a small piece of paper and stick it between the coils (only on one side of the coils cuz if you go all the way through the coils with the paper, you will break the current and get no contact).  This tightens the coils to hold the batteries tighter.  Sometimes electric tape is good along with this method as well. 

• 4.  The best way to alleviate all this is to hardwire your GPS to your motorcycle.  This way you do not need batteries, which will eliminate the "giggle effect" all together.  With hardwiring, always take a spare set of batteries for back up.

• Tip: Remember to bring a set of spare batteries where ever you go and however you decide to set up.  It could really make your day!  The E2 Lithium Batteries last up to 7 times longer than regular batteries.

Where can I find maps of Baja (or other maps) that I can load to my GPS?

• For a long time, there were no options for uploading maps to your GPS unless they were made by your GPS manufacturer (none had Baja maps).  Today, there are new innovations allowing this.  There are a few (non-GPS manufacturer) companies making detailed Baja & Mexico topographical maps, which we have been testing.  The best topo map available is the Baja Navigator. It is easy to use, accurate in Baja, and is a great visual to aid with the guidebooks offering routes researched for your safety. 

Why are the guidebook routes only available in Fugawi format? Can I get them in MapSource, Mapsend/VantagePoint, or other formats?

We offer 2 ways to upload your GPS:

1.  Purchase Fugawi Software and the Fugawi Routes CD *if you plan to learn GPS this software is the best on the market with incredible customer service by phone at no additional cost.

2.  Use our Upload service.  By using our upload service: 1. you can mail your GPS or 2. purchase one from us.  It will be uploaded with either Volume 1 or Volume 2 (only one fits at a time). 

We do not offer our routes in formats that we do not support.  If you choose to use the upload service we provide, it is your responsibility to learn handle these roues & waypoints with care.  If you loose the data, you must purchase the upload service again at full cost.

I'm new with GPS, what products do you recommend for a beginner?

• 1.  First, select the GPS you will be using.  We offer the Map 76S, which is a great beginers GPS (smaller price) or the Map 76CSx, which is our #1 recomendation. (see GPS Units & Mounts).
• 2.  See our Learning GPS section on the top main menu to learn all about GPS; We also offer Cheat Sheets that will walk you through learning your specific GPS quickly and easily; just like a friend is helping you learn one!
• 3.  Volume 1 - this is your bible to off-road with GPS. It has a plethora of information to help you become educated on Baja, GPS, and lead you to safe trails for an epic Baja adventure
• 4.  Also, see our Safety Products - be prepared for Baja; this will be the most important section you will read on our website!

What current GPS do you recommend for purchase and why?

• Okay, that's a big question.  It's like trying to find the perfect one dirt bike that's quick turning & snappy in single track, fast & responsive for the track, yet built to endure Baja.  Unfortunately, it just doesn't exist.  So, we have to be slightly educated about the important basics and then decided on what features you can live with or without for the buck.  We offer only the GPS's we feel are worthy for off-road applications.  Click on extensive Comparison Charts for information to help you select the right GPS for you. 

Is it safe to ride in Baja?

• Baja is a 3rd world country.  There are issues with crossing any border and managing a culture that is not your own.  Baja has always had 3rd world issues with drug lords, thieves, and villains, as do all countries, but for such a small peninsula, it was relatively calm until 2006.  In the last couple of years, there has been substantial theft and more drug running press in Baja.  Mainly, Tijuana through Ensenada is dangerous.  I highly recommend staying away from that area, do not drive at night (shouldn't anyway), and cross at Mexicali or Tecate rather than TJ, if possible.  The rest of the peninsula has some but few new incidents like Baja always has.  To read about safe traveling tips in Baja, Click Here.

If I order today, how long will it take to receive my package and can I get faster shipping methods?

• We ship from Winter Park, Colorado.  Depending on where you reside, the package will ship within 1-5 days and take 1-5 days to receive (typically it's out the door in 24 hrs. and takes 2-4 days).   If you need a package sent overnight, you must email us for availability.  We are not always able to ship over-night, but we will do everything possible to get you what you need as fast as you need it.