Rest Area Alerts

What rest area file are you using? sounds like the rest areas that did not set alerts are missing from the file.

The rest area combined is the best and most up to date file.

It could be that the location of the rest area was to far from the highway so the alert won't work. I have that problem in the school zone and walmart file for my area

John is correct, if the rest area is too far off the road, it won't alert. You can make it into a tourguide file and it will alert then because it uses promity of 360 degrees rather then if you on the same road as the rest area.

asianfire what makes you so certain that was the problem?

Until Mr. Joe Oliver responds we have no clue what file he has loaded in the unit.

Some of the older files going around were pegged to the Rest Area itself but Ken working on the Rest Areas Combined has moved the triggering location to the on-ramp.

This past weekend I found one area that was missing in the Rest Area Combined and Ken will be adding it on the next release, so it is possible that Joe also came accross some rest areas that are not in the file.

Flaco, we were just identifing one problem that we new about not to get anyone upset.

flaco,

you are right, there can be many different reasons that it didn't alert.

However, I was just giving one possibility that I have run into a lot, more so, confirming the post previous to mine.

But as you said, it could be the fact that the rest area wasn't in the file or it's coordinates were at the rest area itself and not the get off ramp.

Oh heck....give me a break, I have been drinking...lol

Lay off the bottle...

If the OP was using the New Mexico Interstate Rest Areas that could be the problem, that file was uploaded and last updated a year ago, like I said before Ken moved the coordinates in Rest Areas Combined to read from the on-ramp.

I wish the OP replies so we know what file he was using and perhaps if he knows the location for the areas that didn't alert, Ken can do some research and get it fixed in time for the next release.

I-10 in NM only has 5-6 actual rest areas so I will research them all again for the combined file.
When I drove that route in December I don't remember missing any but at my age - anythings possible. Will check them today and get back to this thread !

I went thru the Rest Areas in NM.
Found 1 missing at MM 21 EB. Put coords in Master file for next update.
Cannot verify any info yet on facilities .
Refined all the coordinates for the others as best I could.
Best I can do until Google Earth Plus has a clearer panel of that area or NM DOT has more info on their Rest Areas.

...brought that ol' rest area right up next to the highway so it will alert next time! LOL

Thanks Ken for adding the missing area and fixing the others.

Hope you are feeling better from your eye operation.

The rest areas are there as they show up. Just don't sound the alert. I believe the distance may be a factor. Will change from 2500 ft. to a mile and see what happens. Thanks all for input
Should wish the mustang restoration website was as good as this is
Joe

Thanks for updating all the areas. Will take your advice and make alert 2miles instead of 2500 ft.

I'm having the opposite problem, I picked up I-80 from hwy 81 in Kansas and am going east bound. I'm getting alerts for rest areas that aren't there. Unfortunately due to traffic and rolling along at 75 MPH I wasn't able to get the coordinates.

Were the Phantom Rest areas in Nebraska ??????
Which Rest Areas file were you using ????
Was there possibly Rest Areas in the opposite
lanes (direction) ??????
Were there Turnouts in the area ????

Coordinates are not necessary to report problems if you know State, Highway #, and approx. Mile Marker.

I have a similar problem on FL I-75. my file shows a rest area at the same location I-75north and south. that is they are on opposite each other along the highway. I get an alert on the I-75 south but my nuvi660 does not alert or recognize the I-75 north rest stop?

I can vouch for I-75 from Tampa to Miami, went last weekend and got alerted on every one except one on Alligator Alley that was not added to the file before because it is not a full fledge rest stop, Ken will be adding that one as a TURNOUT.

Flaco: You were traveling south to Miami and got the proper alerts. If you travel back north to Miami 0n I-75 see if you get an alert at the rest stop just befor exit 240(if you remember). This is the alert that is not working on my 660.

Gusb

Going south and north from Tampa to Miami and back they all worked for me, don't know exactly where exit 240 is.

I have had the same problem in az and nm, I never have had a pencil and paper avail. I'll check it out in june for I 40.

I just re-verified coordinates for Rest Areas at MM239 on I-75 in FL in the "Rest Areas Combined"
POI file and there is no reason that the proximity alerts should not function if people are using the "Combined" file.

There have been quite a few changes made to I-40 in NM and AZ and to I-10 in NM in the Rest Areas Combined file in last 3 months.

Ken, is that a typo? when I search my unit for MM239 it comes up with I-15 and being 2062 miles away from Tampa not even close to I-75

Sounds like some may be using an earlier version of the Rest Areas file and need to download the updated version.

Exit 240, which is also the Mile Marker, on I-75 is South of Tampa. MM239 is just South of the exit !
In the actual POI file I believe it shows as MM238 but not big deal - doesn't effect the alerts in any way !

Last weekend when I went to Miami I did not hit that Rest Area because I took a shortcut thru I-275 via Skyway bridge, so tonight I set the GPSr on simulation and that Rest Area alerted me both southbound and northbound, conclusion there is nothing wrong with that Reast Area unless Gusb is not using an up to date file of the Rest Area Combined.

Or I go screaming through that area on one of my trips!!!

Sorry, just couldn't resist! LOL

I know - the devil made you say that !!!!!!!!!!!

I reload my poi's on a weekly basis. Still don't know why the rest area alert near exit 240 on I-75n (sun city ctr exit) does not work for me. I passed it again today. could it be a glitch in my 660 firmware?

gusb

Lets go over the settings before blaming the 660

The newst Rest Area Combined Last update 03/27/2008

Are you running POI loader manually?

I run it manually with setting of 7920 feet (1½ miles)

If all those settings agree with what you do I would use the c330 you own and see if that one has the same problem.

Like I mentioned previously the simulation I did alerted me both south and north bound.

Was your simulated journey to the Rest Area, or to some other point, that takes you past it?

Depending on which you did, you could get quite different results.

To a town past the the rest area, after it alerted southbound I stop it and told it to go northbound and the simulation continued to the next exit and turned around.

I also ran simulation on my C340 and got alerts.
My alerts are set at 5500 feet !

After rereading gusb's posts I have one question !

Which Rest Area POI file are you using.

1. FL Interstate Rest Areas
2. I-75 Rest Areas ...........
3 Rest Areas Combined

I recently drove From RI to Md. mostly on 95, and never got one alert. You would think the service areas would definitely show up as they are right on the road.I have downloaded the poi file, and used the Garmin loader like i have previously on working poi files, red light cams etc..,any ideas on how to check what's wrong?

1. Which Rest Area POI file are you using ?
2. What distance are you manually setting for the proximity alert in POI Loader.
3. What do you mean show up ??????? Did you download a bmp Icon for the Rest Area file and name it the same as the Rest Area file.

I have downloaded the combined rest area file. Does this file have the distance already loaded so all I have to do is download the mp3 announcement? Then do you have to have a rest stop as a destination or will it make announcements for any as you approach them....

Thanks..

Nuvi 750

No - You have to load the POI file onto your GPSr with Garmin's POI Loader in the manual mode.and set the distance yourself. I, personally, set the distance to 5500 feet to allow me adequate time to "safely" get into the proper lane since there are some areas that are a left turn off the highway ! These are notated in the alert name typically as "Service Plaza-Left Exit"

OK I am way behind the curve on this stuff.

MrKenFL

1. Which Rest Area POI file are you using ?

I cannot remember which rest area file.
I just downloaded your rest area combined today , but haven't tried that one yet.

2. What distance are you manually setting for the proximity alert in POI Loader.

I did not load manually and was not aware that is an option.
I guess I will have to reload them and find the way to set the distance manually.

3. What do you mean show up ???????
I assumed there is an icon that goes with these individual rest areas?

Did you download a bmp Icon for the Rest Area file and name it the same as the Rest Area file.

No, how do you associate a bmp.or mp3 file with your csv. file ?

farrissr I'm not sure if you answered the question about the mp3 sound announcement, I would like to know also how you load that to work with the combined rest area file.

Thanks for your help.

Phil did a great job putting together this guide to setting proximity alerts.

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/6764

Do a search for "Setting Proximity alerts" on the home page and it will give you "too" much information - everything you ever wanted to know !!!!!!!

I also am asking the same question...I know there is a mp3 file here with the female announcement, but I can't seem to find out how to attach it to the combined rest area file...

Loading BMPs as Custom Icons
http://www.poi-factory.com/node/4359

Loading MP3s as Custom Sounds
http://www.poi-factory.com/node/4360

Is there a way to give me more time before the alert telling me im coming up to the rest area?
I drive a coach and need a little more time if i need to get over?
Thank you

You can set a distance alert. I've placed school zones on my Nuvi for 2000 feet and it chimes once I'm in the range. You'll have to set that on POI loader manually.

I restet the distance on mine to almost a mile and I get the tones (alert) now. Is there a way to turn up the sound on the alert, if I 'm in a conversation I won't hear the alert.

My recommendation is to set the dikstance manually to 5000 ft or so. At 65-75 mph you eat up a lot of feet in a hurry !

I recently posted info related to MM239 on I75 in FL. I drove by it numerous times without an alert. On my way back north on Tuesday I was surprised that I got an alert at this rest stop. However, this was the only alert I got on my 1400 mile trip. I've loaded the combined file on express as recommended. must I load them manually?

gusb

You will get better results if you load the POI file manually with a distance of AT LEAST a 1/2 mile.
Personally I set mine at 5500 ft and get excellent results.

Gus,
With all the testing you did, are you sure you didn't create a test POI file with only that location in it, and load that file last? Just seems awfully coincidental that the one location you had particular problems with is now the only one giving an alert. Do all the others show up under Custom-POIs?