Navigation, Mapping software for Latin America

[DillonOnTheCoast]

I use a touchscreen and a netbook in my vehicle. With this machine I have music (via XBMC), navigation (Microsoft S&T 2011) and I can take it into a cafe for web surfing.

I'm planning a trip from the states down to Argentina and back. Obviously this eliminates Microsoft's software from the running as it only covers the US & Canada. This doesn't bother me too much as the software's UI sucks and I've found it to be a bit unstable.

I'm now considering alternatives. Windows 7 & Linux are both options.

Required:

Trip/route Planning
Vehicle tracking in-motion
Recognize the road names traveled on
Ability to import GPS tracks
Decent UI for use with a 7" touchcreen
Inexpensive maps available for most of Latin America


Highly Desired:

Turn-by-Turn navigation
Detailed city streets


I've just about made up my mind to scrap the touch screen & netbook and go with a dedicated Garmin unit + maps scavenged from various sources I've found online.

Before I do that, I thought I'd put this thread out there and see if I've missed any options for the PC.

[DillonOnTheCoast]

I haven't found anything other than Navit (open source) and old Garmin nSource software. Navit is promising but takes way too much time to get right so I'm going to buy a Garmin.

Any recommendations? I would like to go with slightly used but it needs to be easy to load with downloaded maps.

[Pacha]

Hi
You should keep an eye on this PNA 7" with soft iGO8 or iGO Primo. Exists also in 5" (I bought 3 of them). Depend on the model, sold with EU or US maps and all other maps are free to download (after having a free pass). All recent maps are easy findable on the web, it can be usefull with Ozi working on your laptop...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280728685715
I'm not a seller, free advertise; (delete if necessary, thanks)

[DarioCarrera]

Just in Case you don have the maps yet. If you have a Garmin software install you can use these maps for SA. they will pretty much cover you expectations:

BRAZIL http://www.tracksource.org.br/index....pper&Itemid=20

PERU http://www.perut.org/

CHILE-ARGENTINA - PARAGUAY- URUGUAY

http://www.proyectomapear.com.ar/ and http://www.gps.com.ar/

VENEZUELA http://www.gpsyv.net/
It has topographic a map as well!!!

COLOMBIA http://www.colrut.com/

Bolivia - map is called Bolmap R11 a friend gave it to me so Im not sure where to download it.


I would stick with garmin! just a thought!