Anybody else have similar trials and tribulations creating a POI file?
15 years
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13 weeks ago when I joined POI-Factory, I thought, this is a great place and there are knowledgeable folks here willing to help and I still think that’s true.
An idea came to me after reading a post by Miss POI about Metro Projects [and it didn’t zoom away, like so many do these days. ]. I thought that maybe some folks would appreciate a POI file of Williamsburg. Lots of tourists visit the area and there are lots of newbie’s that have moved here that could maybe use some help. I sent her an email and got a reply back saying that she thought that it was a good idea. I thought that I could get one together very shortly. Little did I know that one could put so much time and effort into a POI file.
I started out thinking I could just drive around, save locations into my Garmin and then download. Ha, Ha, ha!
First problem: Garmin wanted to store addresses when storing in “Favorites”. That would be OK except that the address is wrong more often than it is right. Shopping centers are a nightmare for addresses, because they are not near the road. And trying to sort those out could lead to errors.
Second problem: Takes too long to enter location name via Garmin keypad. Writing names is a hassle too. Plus, you are way too conspicuous (read suspicious) in front of a business doing either.
So, a few days of spending way too much time and way too many errors, I saw an ad for a “Digital Recorder”. Did some research and decided “This is what I need”. Bought one and discovered that it was just what I needed. Can't tell you how handy it is and it stores "up" to 221 hrs in LP mode with no tapes to buy.
Now I could just drive or walk right up to the front of a location, look at the GPS screen and hit record. Then read the l/l out loud, speak the location name, speak the address, hit the Stop button and be off to the next site. The recorder is sensitive and it can be held down out of sight and still make a good voice recording – provided there isn’t too much background noise.
So, even though it may take longer and mistakes can be made much easier (misread l/l or fat finger l/l) it still can be very accurate and very fast.
Now I know some of you are thinking “Why didn’t he use Google Earth?” Well, if you use Google Earth there are 3 problems: Poor resolution, incorrect addresses and the photos of Williamsburg were taken during the summer and there are 80 ft. trees everywhere obscuring the small houses. Just too much guessing to do. Oh yeah, can’t see the front doors on Google Earth - no 3D of most of the streets in the restored area, because they are closed to vehicles 8 AM to 10 PM.
Why the accuracy? Many of the restored buildings are residences and it is amazing how many people miss the signs that say “Private residence. Not open to the public” right on the front door and walk right in if the door just happened to be unlocked. So, with no numbers on the house (each house does have a plaque with the builders or owners name and the date of the house) I wanted to put the “walkers” as close as I could to the front door and not have to look around for the right house (or restroom).
There will be more POI's to come of the other attractions and the businesses in the Williamsburg VA area.
Anyway, I like it here at the POI-Factory and I hope that some of you got something out of this post.
Miss POI – if this needs moving, go for it. If it’s too long, please say so.
Field acquired data is the best
Wow. You can't hardly get more accurate than data acquired in the field. Congratulations and thank you for when/if we ever get to play tourist in Williamsburg.
"The true measure of persons is how they treat someone who can do them absolutely no good." - Samuel Johnson
Going there !
Going to Colonial Williamsburg (again) in May. Thanks for the files.
Haven't been there since 1986 so time for a refresher course !
MrKenFL- "Money can't buy you happiness .. But it does bring you a more pleasant form of misery." NUVI 260, Nuvi 1490LMT & Nuvi 2595LMT all with 2014.4 maps !
need to clean my glasses
When I first read your post, I thought it said "since 1896."
Tampa, FL - Garmin nüvi 660 (Software Ver 4.90), 2021.20 CN NA NT maps | Magellan Meridian Gold
Ha Ha Ha
I know - The Devil made you say it "
MrKenFL- "Money can't buy you happiness .. But it does bring you a more pleasant form of misery." NUVI 260, Nuvi 1490LMT & Nuvi 2595LMT all with 2014.4 maps !
thanks for all of that effort
I haven't been to Williamsburg since I was in high school...and no it wasn't a new town at that time
but I have often thought about visiting again.
this is very impressive work on your part, and we are very blessed to have you as a member.
— (Garmin nuvi 765T) — "people who say money can't buy happiness, don't know where to shop"
POI Method
I visited Williamsburg a long time ago and enjoyed the few days I spent there. I would certainly like to return and your files make for excellent tour guides. I must say your method of creating these files is unique. I doubt anyone could attain a greater degree of accuracy, but it sure must involve a lot of time to visit each of these locations.
Re: POI method
it sure must involve a lot of time to visit each of these locations.
Well, it really wasn't that many hours. Maybe 30. But our Bernese Mountain Dog and I got some much needed excersise. We go for a walk at least one day a week on weekends - weather permitting. Since he has a long coat, we go very early in the day, in the summer.
Actually, using the digital recorder seems faster to me, because it's much easier to talk (and faster) than entering data and changing screens.
The other problem was the close proximity of some of the buildings. If doors were less than 18 ft. apart, the Garmin wouldn't store it. The software thought it was the same location, even though the l/l changed.
It would be nice to have a military GPS. I have been told that some of them are ± 2 ft. But, I'll believe it when I see it.
Metricman DriveSmart 76 Williamsburg, VA
Great idea!
I like the digital recorder idea, where you just dictate the information. People might get alarmed, though if they see you doing that at their front doors.
Next time, just wear a dark suit and sunglasses; drape a curly wire over your ear, tape a quarter or something round and shiny to your lapel. Then conceal the recorder in your coat sleeve so that you have to talk into your shirt cuff. They'll think you're Secret Service and leave you alone.
"The true measure of persons is how they treat someone who can do them absolutely no good." - Samuel Johnson
MrKenFL wrote: Going to
Going to Colonial Williamsburg (again) in May. Thanks for the files.
Haven't been there since 1986 so time for a refresher course !
You will be here at the most beautiful time of the year. Anyone that enjoys flowers, will get an eyefull. And the gardens do not require a ticket, except maybe the Govenor's Palace Gardens. (will have to check on that)
Hope you have a good time. Busch Gardens will be open too.
Metricman DriveSmart 76 Williamsburg, VA
Re: Great idea
Next time, just wear a dark suit and sunglasses; drape a curly wire over your ear, tape a quarter or something round and shiny to your lapel. Then conceal the recorder in your coat sleeve so that you have to talk into your shirt cuff. They'll think you're Secret Service and leave you alone.
OK, I had a chuckle over that visualization.
We really do get a lot of Secret Service folks in town sometimes (lots of dignitaries vist here) - I could seriously get away with it if I looked authentic. Would not be cool if the Feds nabbed me for questioning though.
Metricman DriveSmart 76 Williamsburg, VA