I seem to be confused...

Tom;

POI's can have proximity alerts. This means you will get a message and a "ding" when you approach one.

I am not sure, but would assume you would have 2 locations listed in the unit...

Custom Poi files such as the starbucks one you mention are generally created to augment the existing pre-loaded poi.

As you know these things seem to be built and opened almost overnight. There is no way they can be all included in any map update - ever.

If I plan on taking a trip to somewhere I'm not familiar with, and "need my Starbucks" I would make sure I had all the current locations along my route and at my visiting location. Therefore, I'd create a custom poi file.

Then there are the added niceties that can go with the custom poi's as Msumy points out. They just make things more interesting.

If you have no need for starbucks locations outside of Illinois, simply edit the file and delete what you have no need for. Or, break the file down anyway that best suits your needs.

You will probably get two symbols for the starbucks, when you browse the map.

You won't get two symbols because the built-in POIs do not show up as symbols. They're just there for navigating to. At least on the Garmin nuvi series.

I think if you will go to "Browse Map"(as per krmidas's question) mode and zoom in, you will see whatever icon that's used for starbucks, and a plain dot or square for the custom poi starbucks (unless a custom bmp is associated with that poi file).

I believe this applies to the c3xx as well as the c5xx and also the nuvi's

Another advantage I find with the Custom POI's is that they are filed together. In your Starbucks example, when you are traveling, you can go to Custom POI's, choose Starbucks, and you will see the 50 closest locations. If you are addicted, you could easily arrange your travel schedule accordingly.
As stated previously, the locations are generally more up to date. With the built in POI's, I have frequently traveled to locations where the restaurant was no longer located.

krmidas, here's another example

I live in Fort Worth Tx, a fairly populated city.
when I search for "Best Buy" there are only two that show up. One is in Mobile Al @ 558.8 miles and the other is in Omaha, Ne @ 599.2 miles away. I checked the Best Buy web site, and found those two are in fact Best Buy stores. I typed in my zip code and 4 locations show up near me.
I know where 3 of them are, and if I were out and about and needed to hit Best Buy, I could save some mileage if I had (and I do) the Best Buy stores near me in a poi file.

This was all very helpful. Thanks!

You are correct lsmonop. If you zoom to the lowest level on the map you will see symbols for neighboring POI's that are default in the units.

I have done this to walk our "Main Street" here in Ellicott City MD.