which are better// gpx files OR csv files

It might help us better if you'd specify for what application you wish to use them for?

See http://www.poi-factory.com/node/6203

GPX has a much richer data set and gives you more than just the dialable phone numbers mentioned in the above link. This is assuming that the gpx file is populated with the data it and your device allows for and not just with coords, name, and comment that is.

It depends on what software you are going to use to process the csv file with and for what device. I'm only familiar with the Garmin nuvi's and for them a csv file will only give you a few fields of data to begin with, while a gpx will give you 3 times as many fields.

Start with the link charlesd45 posted and read the other links on that page, then get familiar with the (many) ways to get the csv and gpx files into your device and modify (if you want) the basic poi data.

There aren't many gpx POIs that have so much data that it all can't be fit into the 4 fields that csv POIs will accept. My opinion is that most Custom POIs (if phone dialing isn't required) are just fine in the csv format. They're a lot easier to author and edit.

RT

So far I've used csv files so I understand how you can have multiple files in one folder and load them all at the same time. If you use the gpx format, is it the same? In other words would you have a file like camping.gpx, mcdonalds.gpx, etc or to you have to put all in one big file.

It is the same.You can have csv files and gpx files in the same folder.When you load csv or gpx to the gps they are changed to gpi files.

So it is not possible to make the telephone number dialable using csv? Well, that explains why I could not get it to work. Thanks.

Deborah

I find it far easier to use a spreadsheet format when I'm working with a lot of pois, and I like being able to sort & calculate. But, if I want to "tweak" coords visually with a map, use categories, use built-in device symbols, set proximities, set links, or type large amounts of descriptive text on two screens I do it in software like GeePeeEx or Extra POI Editor because gpx holds separate fields for that.

Because gpx doesn't easily translate to rows/cols/cells, I built an Excel add-in to import & "flatten" the gpx format (convert to csv or tab) so I can work on batches of pois and sort, calc, etc. on individual data fields like state, symbol, category. Then I import the csv into one of the other editors to convert it back into gpx and/or tweak the individual pois as needed.

And both of my nuvi's are just as happy with gpx files as they are with gpi files so the only difference there is a slightly larger file size.

I too find it easier (read lazier!!!) to just edit the spreadsheet file. Easier to work with IF you have all the necessary information as well.

I have a .csv file with 100 addresses, client names, phone numbers, and misc comments. I want to create custom POI for nuvi 760 so I can navigate to the POI and also make a call (via Bluetooth to iphone by touching GPS call screen) to client on my approach. I have tried online geocoding websites that create a .gpx file but it strips the client names, phone numbers, misc comments data out and leaves only the lat/long & address only data. I can load this .gpx file into mapsource and poiedit without problem but these programs don't appear to let me modify the data so I can add phone numbers, client names, and misc comments. How do I 'easily' create a POI.gpx file with ‘phone call’ ability using the .csv file? I have read that geepeex can do it but I have to purchase this. Is there a free & easy & quick method of achieving this?

Try Extra Poi Editor http://turboccc.wikispaces.com/Extra_POI_Editor .Youcan download your file to it and modify as needed.If you get message while downloading missing the required OCX file?Scroll down to troubeshooting and install
Extra_POI_Editor_Installer+v250.zip

If anyone is trying to do what I just asked about (above) please follow these steps it will work for free and it is quick and easy.

MAKE CUSTOM POI (.GPX) WITH PHONE DIALLING FROM CSV FILE.

1) create your .csv file using excel 'save as' .csv 2) use http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/geocoding.html to process your csv file, this will put lat/long data based on the address field from the csv file and create a .gpx file
2a) please note that this also strips any other info out of the csv list eg, phone numbers, comments etc 3) open the .gpx file in excel scroll to far right and find your list of addresses now with lat/lon info. Copy and paste the geocoded data into a new sheet this will be the csv file that you convert to gpx using Extra_POI_editor
4) I would download Extra_POI_editor at this point. 5) install POI editor and check out the 'options' > 'csv fields' section this will help you plan your csv file in excel,
6) I added these fields to my spreadsheet; city, state, postcode, country, ph, proximity, etc. (please note do not title each column in spreadsheet simply put the data in that order so POI editor looks in correct place)
7) save your spreadsheet as .csv
8) open in Extra_POI_editor
9) check that all the data pulled through into correct fields. (i.e. double click POI that appears on screen)
10) if it worked correctly there will be a map showing the correct location. I had my lat/lon around the wrong way first go so it was just a blank grey box instead of map picture of location.
11) Save the file as .gpx
12) use POI loader to load the file onto your Garmin NUVI 760 GPS.
13) Pair your Bluetooth phone with GPS and try dialling one of your POI if it dials you are finished!