Custom POIs On A Nuvi 260w

How are you loading the POIs? Did you read the FAQ section here to get a good understanding of how to set your files up?

If you are using poiloader in express mode, only the pois that had alerts associated with them will indicate.

Did you rename the .bmp file the same as the poi file, leaving only the extension the same?

Same for the .mp3 file

/poifilename.csv
/poifilename.bmp
/poifilename.mp3

This must be done to associate the pic and sound file with the poi file.

Glenn, thanks for the response. Yes I have read the instructions provided in the FAQs. I am using the Garmin POI Loader; I am also naming the files the exact same (ie. Lowes_USA.bmp; Lowes.USA.mp3 & Lowes_USA.csv) and have done them both on express and manual with. I seem to have the same results. Some of them will alert me some won’t, and I never get the custom sound or the bitmap. I am sure that I am doing something wrong, just not sure what that is. Thanks again, kdehaan

I don't think that the 200 series plays mp3's, so you will not have the custom alert. The unit should though still display a red line at the top and have dinged at you, and display the bmp.

Try this (i went through this on my c330 when I first got it) and it helped me learn how the system works. Only mess with one file at a time until you know what you are doing. I have a folder (c580 or c330) that I put all my poi files in. Then I have a folder for each type of file (stores/rest areas/traffic).

Looks like this:
c:\c580\Rest Area\restarea.csv
c:\c580\Rest Area\restarea.bmp
c:\c580\Food\burgerking.csv
c:\c580\Food\burgerking.csv

Now use the poi loader in manual mode and point it to "c:\c580." as the files load you can choose your distance or speed for the alert. If your coordinates are off, then you may not get the alert if they are too far off the road, so don't use less that 500 feet or so. When you are finished test the alert in this fashion, in the custom poi list (under extras) highlight your poi, then choose show map at the bottom. You should be able to see the icon on your map at the location.

Daniel

Kdehaan,

The names of the files must be the same.

If it is Lowes_USA.csv, then it must be:

Lowes_USA.bmp
Lowes_USA.mp3

Also, when loading them in manual mode, you have to select the alert you want. I assume you want distance, so select it when prompted and put in a distance to be alerted.

Remember, also, that the alert only goes off if the poi is near the road you are on. If it is for a location that is set back off the road, the GPSr doesn't know you are heading there and won't alert.

I hope this helps. Let us know if you need additional assistance.

Dkeane, I believe you are correct about the 200 not having mp3.

It is tough getting old.

Thank you both, I will make sure that I get the files names right and load one POI at a time to see which one is causing the problems. Thanks again, kdehaan

When you go to load the POIs on after checking them, they must all be in the same folder and loaded at the same time. Each run of POILoader erases that last.

As I understand it, the POI has to be along your route. If you are following directions, then the POI needs to be along your route to display and alert you.

Just because you pass within the range you set for proximity does not necessarily mean you will get an alert.

I may not be understanding what you meant, but the coordinates are at point X. If you set a distance prox alert, then any time you are in that distance of X you should get an alert, route or no route. The problem is sometimes the coordinates are so far off the road and the distance is too short that the gps won't see them. That is why I make my coordinates at store entrances off the road, instead of at the store entrance normally. Sometimes it may be 500 to 1000 feet off the main road in a mall.

If you set a speed alert, then you only get the alert if you are going faster than the speed you set for that particular location.

Since your unit does not use mp3, there is no need for you to try and load them on your unit - they will just take up wasted space.

Daniel

Just to add to what has been said, the POIs must be within about 50 feet of the road for the POI to alert. The Garmin alerts do not work as a radius.

Here's some great information about alerts.

Hornbyp's guide to setting alerts with POI Loader
http://www.poi-factory.com/node/6764