TourGuide vs. POI File with mp3

 
lsmonop's picture

[originally posted as a discussion reply]

I've been playing a bit with the TourGuide vs. just mp3 associated with a POI file. Both work.

TourGuides

You can end up with one TourGuide file with dozens of mp3's. You also get to look at a fancy bullhorn and a pair of lips, and a play and stop button. You can add a comment about your tour site or add a jpg (haven't worked with jpg's yet). Mp3 files just need to have TourGuide in the name.

Files have to be saved in gpx format. They are fairly easy to create in MapSource. The proximity setting in MapSource overrides the manual mode setting in POI Loader. When loading via POI Loader, you can leave the box unchecked where it asks if file contains a proximity alert.

POI File with mp3

For Garmin units that don't offer the TourGuide feature, it is possible to accomplish the same thing (without the fancy icons). You just create a POI file for your tour site #1 and attatch an mp3 to it. The mp3 needs the same name as the csv file name. Then repeat for site #2, #3, etc. You just end up with a bunch of POI files (each with one location). You still add your comments like a normal POI. You can save as a csv file and set a proximity distance via POI Loader's manual mode.

Similarities

Visual appearance under Custom POIs look the same.

You get the red bar at the top of the screen when you reach your proximity -- in TourGuide it will read "TourGuide: Name you give it". Using a regular POI file, you get the red bar and instead of TourGuide it will read "Alert: Name you gave it".

I'm probably leaving something out, but using either method isn't that difficult. Use what will work for your unit.

Length of mp3 doesn't seem to matter, I've tried it with 3:46 and 3:50 songs, as a TourGuide and regular POI file. I've not done a voice recording (e.g., "And if you look to the right side of the vehicle...")

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