Redlight and speed files

 

Questions

1) why does the speed file contain red light alerts as well? Shouldn't the speed file be just for speed? and the red light just for red lights?

2)Maybe the file was setup that way because you can't have both speed and redlight at the same coordinates?

3)I am thinking of copying the lines that say redlight and putting them in the redlight.csv. Bad idea?

4)Also, are the speed/redlight files meant to be downloaded for the purpose of then manipulating the data before loading to the gps device?

If the answer to Q4 is yes, it would be nice if there were several downloads based on what you are trying to achieve. I didn't realize when I bought my garmin that I would be literally programming... I have spent HOURS reading this stuff. I'm kind of stuck on the redlight/speed and how to handle properly.
I just want the unit to warn me once(audible/visual), and then warn me again (audible/Visual) if I am going beyond the speed limit.

Geez another question..
5) Is this right, if I upload a file with McDonald's coordinates in there, no .wav file, and I set it at 3 miles, will it beep for 3 miles until I pass the McDonald's? If the answer is yes then it sounds like I want to put in .WAV file with no sound in it, right?

Thanks in advance!!!
I'm going to have this thing mastered and then I am going to call the CEO of Garmin and tell him there is a much better way to do all this....

thanks again.

Answers

If I get any of this wrong I'm certain someone will be along with corrections but here's a shot at answering all your questions.

1) why does the speed file contain red light alerts as well? Shouldn't the speed file be just for speed? and the red light just for red lights?

A..I don't presume to answer for those who create the POI files but suspect this is a 'package deal' as a courtesy to users. You can choose to use one or both. If there is duplicate data in the files and you have both loaded you'll get a double alert, possibly at different distances (depending on speed). Keep in mind some red light cameras double as speed cameras. Blast through an intersection even with a green light and you can have your photo snapped for speeding.

2)Maybe the file was setup that way because you can't have both speed and redlight at the same coordinates?

A..You can have both in the same file but there are different built in warning distances based on file name. For the file title that includes "red light" there's an automatic 1/4 mile warning. A title with "speed camera" also provides warning at 1/4 mile but is also speed dependant giving you an advisory 36 seconds before your reach the 'target' poi.

3)I am thinking of copying the lines that say redlight and putting them in the redlight.csv. Bad idea?

A..extra work for nothing

4)Also, are the speed/redlight files meant to be downloaded for the purpose of then manipulating the data before loading to the gps device?

A..No, the creator of the POI has (theoretically) done all the work for you. Just use POI loader to send the file to your GPS and you're done. Again, don't make it harder than it needs to be.

Q..(sort of)I didn't realize when I bought my garmin that I would be literally programming... I have spent HOURS reading this stuff.

A..The Garmin GPS comes out of the box with tens of thousands of POI files built in. Many, maybe even most of the files posted on this site are actually redundant. The difference is the built in POI files are designed to be searcheable as a destination. The files here can be modified (if you choose) with custom icon's, voice alerts, distance alerts and more. You don't 'have' to do it at all.

Q..(sort of) I just want the unit to warn me once(audible/visual), and then warn me again (audible/Visual) if I am going beyond the speed limit.

A.. Both are things you can do with the custom (downloadable) POI files. The automatic 'heads up' whether it's a voice or tone can be handy for speed and red light cameras (especially in areas you're not familiar with). Using POI Loader you can enter a default warning speed (for everything in that .csv file) and will receive an audible warning when you approach a speed camera in excess of the speed you've set. Generally you just get one alert but if you stop then go again you'll get a second/third etc warning.

5) If I upload a file with McDonald's coordinates in there, no .wav file, and I set it at 3 miles, will it beep for 3 miles until I pass the McDonald's?

If you load the McDonalds as a destination you'll be guided right to it. If you simply set it up to be alerted anytime you're within 3 miles of a McDonalds (which could get annoying) you'll only receive a single advisory. If a tone is enough of an alert for you then fine but it's simple to create your own mp3 files ( http://www.research.att.com/~ttsweb/tts/demo.php ) for custom items or just plug a microphone into your computer and record your own voice providing prompts. Adding a voice alert eliminates the need for actually looking at the GPS to see what the tone is trying to tell you.

I'm going to have this thing mastered and then I am going to call the CEO of Garmin and tell him there is a much better way to do all this....

A..I think Garmin's objective is to make GPS use as brainless as possible. They provide plenty of POI files right out of the box and don't even require the user to load maps before using anymore. It wasn't so long ago the units came with a very basic map showing major roads. If you wanted more you had to purchase a 'detailed' map and load it yourself. Again, everything about this site is designed for the tinkerer, those who just aren't happy with 'stock'.

Cheers wink

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Garmin GPS III, GPS V, StreetPilot 2610, Mobile 10, Nuvi 660, Nuvi 760

nicely done John

I am still a newbie, though coming along nicely thanks to all of the great people here. grin

and I fall into the tinkerer category...having a great time making my nuvi, my nuvi.

but I also got carried away with setting a bunch of alerts as part of experimenting, and teaching myself what I have learned here. But it helped me get to where I want to be for my upcoming trip to South Carolina for the Christmas holiday. I now have a nice manageable set of alerts for rest areas, a couple of side stops I may or may not want to make (hence I don't have them as actual waypoints in my route), a couple of restaurant chains that I don't have in Pittsburgh, such as Waffle House, and a couple of locations where I will be entering a parking garage, and want to be reminded to remove the CB antenna from my roof before entering.

much like the microwave and the internet, what the heck did I do before I got my nuvi? mrgreen

I would caution other newbies not to go too far overboard, with the audio alerts. Having the custom POI's, that you can organize in categories is awesome though.

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— (Garmin nuvi 765T) — "people who say money can't buy happiness, don't know where to shop"

John L

Thanks for taking the time to respond John L. I owe you a beer for sure.

Everything made sense except I am struggling on one thing. If anyone else sees this feel free to respond.thx

If I load all the McDonald's (btw i hate McDonalds), and I load an icon, won't the garmin make a sound that I am approaching a McDonalds? I just want the icon on the screen and nothing more.

thanks in advance.
j

Say Hello Ronald McD...

johnon wrote:

If I load all the McDonald's and I load an icon, won't the garmin make a sound that I am approaching a McDonalds?

Unless you've added a speed or distance alert to the POI (via coding inside the file or via the filename or via Poi loader) you won't hear anything. You'll just see the twin arches (or whatever icon you use) on the map as you approach the restaurant.

Cheers wink

--
Garmin GPS III, GPS V, StreetPilot 2610, Mobile 10, Nuvi 660, Nuvi 760

not for nothing

John Lawrence wrote:

....3)I am thinking of copying the lines that say redlight and putting them in the redlight.csv. Bad idea?

A..extra work for nothing

I'm not sure that we have a good answer to the original question yet. It sure seems to me that it makes sense to have these two things in two different files. The reason is that when I input this file with POIloader and am in manual mode, I can set either a proximity alert (which I would want to use for a red light camera) or a speed alert (which I think I would want to use for a speed camera, as well as other speed zones), but one can not set both. So having speed cameras in a separate file from red light cameras should allow the user better control when using POIloader.

This understand comes only from reading the information on this site and using POIloader. I don't have any speed cameras in my area (AFAIK), so I have no first hand experience with it. But it also seems to me like one combined file is not the best approach.

Great thread

As a newbie, this is a great thread!

.

johnon wrote:

1) why does the speed file contain red light alerts as well? Shouldn't the speed file be just for speed? and the red light just for red lights?

Are you sure that there are locations with ONLY a redlight camera? I am aware that there are sites with both types of cameras and the name of the file must reflect that to insure that you are aware it has both -- two separate alerts at the same location will only alert on one or the other.

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Nuvi 660 -- and not upgrading it or maps until Garmin fixes long-standing bugs/problems, and get maps to where they are much more current, AND corrected on a more timely basis when advised of mistakes.